RAF Hercules was shot down - Reid
 

John Reid admits that the RAF C130 that came down in January was shot down.

BBC Website

Official (Censored) Report
 

Links for the Accident Report and Announcement...

http://www.mod.uk/publications/boi.htm




Are we now going to get a diatribe from BEAGLE I wonder?

Would the fitting of nitrogen 'inerting systems' to replace the air in empty tanks really help against a missile??
I can see the point on say 747's post the TWA accident investigation,but a missile hitting an aircraft is a totally different scenario.

Lasernigel:

It might not, but the report does not say it was brought down by a missile, in fact the type of SAFIRE (Surface to Air Fire) has not been revealed. Self sealing tanks and inert gas to prevent explosion/fire may help for AAA rounds, which is what is reported in the press today as being responsible for bringing the ac down.

The Sun (I know, its the Sun, therefore it must be true) mentions a DShK .5 cal MG, and other rags refer to 'machine gun fire'. The report, IIRC, refers to a combination of ground fire.

GW

If you fly low you are in danger from conventional Arms ..... fly high and you face sophisticated Missile threats (missile-protection systems accepted) .....

I can't see a solution to this dilemma :confused:

ps. Beagle ..... re 'Diatribe' ..... you sure wouldn't want to be sensitive would you:{

This is standard on the Tornado fin tank on TTW. We did it in Saudi, removed the 1 shot Bat and fit a Nitrogen bottle. We were always told it was to mitigate against small arms fire.

Does this mean we may reconsider the foamed tanks that I believe our colonial friends have ?

A lack of 'robust' intelligence contributed says Mr Reid.

Robust - an overused and meaningless word methinks used too much in military reporting circles.

Discuss

ARINC,Intriguing - remove one emergency system in order to fit a system to deal with a different 'emergency' - I don't think so.

sw

I hope Guiness & Mince Pies tonight is a good "final farewell" to a top bunch of blokes.

More flowers by the main gate tonight made a grown man cry (again).

The herc is a great steed for operational sorties, and I hope budgets don't stop the recommendations of the board being implemented.

P-T-G

Well said mate

I can't remember a BOI that had to try and gather evidence in such difficult circumstances. The report itself; honest, impartial and totally sobering. I have no doubt that if that crew believed that profile was the safest for that sortie then it was. But you can’t be 100% safe on Op’s, they knew it and they went anyway like we all do.

Well done to the Board.

God Bless boys.

Dear Safeware....

A couple of questions for you.

1. Where is the one shot battery exactly ?
2. Why is it fitted ?
3. Where is the Nitrogen bottle fitted ?
4. How long does it take to do this job ?
5. Have you ever worked on a Tornado ?
6. Are you a teenage oik ?

If you can demonstrate some real knowledge I might take your comment more seriously.

I spent 5 years as an electrician on F2's and GR1's. believe me when I say we removed the OSB and fitted a Nitrogen bottle.

RIP the good guys.......

Propulike I agree totally, gents RIP.

I recall on the GR1 around 1983, the one-shot was above the RH taileron/ base of stab. In addition they carried around a partially installed nitrogen inertion system that, if fully installed, would have provided some protection to the vertical stabilizer. Lack of space prevented the full install.

Back though to the thread in hand: Kokpit you are correct, but it is further than be reconsidered!

Again, RIP

ARINC, at the risk of thread creep and diversion from the memory of those who died serving their country,

1. Where is the one shot battery exactly ? At the base of the fin, or post mod, the LH SPS bay
2. Why is it fitted ? Unlike the F3 with its RAT, the OSB is the GR1 emergency power system
3. Where is the Nitrogen bottle fitted ? See 1
4. How long does it take to do this job ? Can't remember
5. Have you ever worked on a Tornado ? Yes, F3 and GR1, 4 yrs in the mid nineties
6. Are you a teenage oik ? No :)

While the fin inert system on both aircraft was a b*gger, would you fly with the OSB removed? The location of the battery was moved - maybe we are talking either side of the Mod?

sw

edited for accuracy

I 'm with BEagle. RIP. Our thoughts are with you.

RIP guys.

My thoughts are with the families at this time. I hope the BOI results bring some form of help as we approach Christmas.

Let's try to prevent this thread going off-subject.

First of all condolences to the families of those involved

Secondly, does this loss not yet again highlight the futility of the RAFs blind insistence that low flying is the answer to all threats, ? and yet again show outmoded Uk thinking?

In the late 60's early 70's the USAF/USN and Marine Corps learned that flying low level over a "small arms rich environment" was not a good thing to do - they pushed up to higher altitudes and paid the price (literally) in needing improved ECM...and ultimately Stealth.

In the late 80's whilst I was at TLP we were presented with the joys of JP233....and as one of our USAF colleagues opined, " so you think you are going to fly down a Warpack airfield runway in daylight and get away with this"...........? Sadly one of the guys presenting did exactly this in Gulf one and didn't get away with this..........

So, where does the RAF go from here? Move away form the Dam Busters mentality that low level is the be all and end all answer to everything or step back and really review it's tactics?

Standing by to be flamed.........................