RAF Hercules' final trip from Wiltshire to Staffordshire.
 

BBC News - RAF Hercules' final trip from Wiltshire to Staffordshire

I assume it was an old, clapped out one - always sad to see though.

I am assuming that the airframe was already unairworthy before begin dismantled. Having looked at Hixon (the frame's final destination) on Google maps, the old airfield looks good enough for a Herc to land on, saving a lot of low-loader time and giving a crew, TacATC and the Fire Det another TLZ tick.

Looks like an ex 47 one?:8

I think its XV305

If you think an airframe 'going for dismantling' has anything on it that couldn't already be removed....

I'm happy that the current op tempo has crews, TacATC and fire well versed in procedures - we don't need the expense of reverse engineering the delivery of scrap.

Just idle curiosity, is a K destined to go to Cosford?

I did assume that the airframe was unairworthy beforehand.

Conversely, if it were flyable, why not fly it into Hixton and asset-strip it there? The job is being done anyway and I am sure that 1 artic full of salvagable parts being trucked back to Lyneham would be cheaper than 3 or 4 low-loaders taking the airframe away. Just a thought, not worth losing sleep over.

SPHLC

It is indeed XV305

One would imagine bridge clearances might have been a bit tight :uhoh:

Error: Double post

Probably because the bidding process was a bit drawn out for this and (at least another two) frames, and because at some stage they became the responsibility of the Disposals Agency, and possibly they are being transported at the buyers expense?

Think you'll find Hixon is unusable to land aircraft, apart from the the raised tarmac road section and roundabout on the main runway both the remaining bits of the runways are very rutted and have major potholes in them. Anyone landing there may have the aircraft reduced to "parts" within a very short space of time!

Just a question here, as I have no idea how the MOD/RAF thinks, but, would they have considered making the aircraft a dedicated parachute training aircraft, no pressurised cycles etc. just to clear the backlog of paras who have yet to do their qualifying jumps? Or will this be a case of time expired components that cannot be re-furbished etc.?

The wings have had it and it will cost too much to buy any more new sets to keep them going for another year and a bit.

;)

Its been done before. 1976, XV181 from Thorney Island to Cambridge.

Sad to see!
I note XV305 is my log-book a number of times, the last occasion into Afghanistan.
It makes one feel rather old and past-it! (No sarcastic replies necc, tvm)
flipster

XV 305 in my log book for the first time in Nov 68 ! I really do feel ancient !
Are there plans to donate a 'K' to the RAF Museum ? I would hope so even in this money grabbing age.

Old and past-it? My last time in 305 was Khartoum - Akrotiri, 1 Feb 1975. Nearly 36 years ago.

My last trip in 305 was Souda Bay - Odiham on 18 Jul 2001.....the month before to Sierra Leone and back too....

No such variety for today's generation.....:hmm:

On another tack - first time in 305 was a CPT (that dates me) in Feb 1986

That's a hell of a way to get to Cambridge, via Wiltshire!