AA62 ...

More than happy old chap ... and looking forward to the Albert "Stream" pics once we return to Lyneham after the World Tour :ok:

Well said Coff, this was a part of so many of the 'readership's' life and is very nostalgic.

Lovely to see the Crud and Custard colour scheme again that always seemed at odds with what we were doing :E

Coff,
thanks for that. The far east 'labours of Hercules' have some way to go yet
before we are back in the bosom of the UK RAF.
Anyone else anything to contribute ?

I reckon our man Brian has a "stash" of Albert pics to share ... Let's hope my pic posting help at #393 will pay dividends when he's back on frequency :ok:

Excuse me now ... Mrs Coff wants the lawn cut :)

I have to report that despite several sorties to the loft, Mrs Smudge has failed to locate my "memories"! I'm working myself up to going up the ladder myself, although it risks holes in the ceiling if I do. In the meantime I came across this:

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps558eef2f.jpg

Now, I know for sure that somewhere I have one with "Life's a Beach" on it (Garfield). Anyone else have any GW1 nose art ? I seem to remember the OC Eng, at Lyneham, was not too keen on the aircraft arriving back with the applied finish, but the crews and the ground crews all had a laugh with it.

Someone must have some pics ? I have a little story re OC Eng Wings (Lyneham) and GE "stupidity", perhaps best saved for a later date. Come on chaps, GW1 nose art is a good subject, and who was the bloke who painted them, rumour at the time in Riyadh had it that it was a propulsion mech. There's stories there indeed.

Smudge:ok:

Just checked in my album and the only nose art from Riyadh that I have are

http://i59.tinypic.com/9bgidi.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/ofzksm.jpg

Another I found - taxying at Al Jubyal (I think). Who said it doesn't rain in the desert?

http://i60.tinypic.com/dc5zxk.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse687d17f.jpg

Nice pics of GW1 'K'. By the time I get there in my chronology I will hopefully have found my GW1 pics, or at least some of them. We hid from a Scud attack at Al Jubail. The alert was for real but the thing fell in the sea. I have to work chronologically otherwise my input will be like the BBC, full of repeats.
This pic is a puzzle. Yes I know it is a T56-15 neatly cowled in our most loved colour complete with feathered Hamilton Standard 'paddle'. The puzzle is why it was feathered. Normally I record such things in my log book, but no reference to a shut down No 3 can I find of this era (had two in succession but that may be a later story). Others yes. For that RAF traditionally lethal practice of shutting down engines for assymmetric practice it was always an outboard. So either I did not record this one or I have reversed the pic. Perhaps smudge's expert forensic G/E eye can tell whether the pic is reversed. I have several 'air tests' in the log book so perhaps it was shut down as part of that. As smudge and others will no doubt testify, most engine shutdowns were due to prop problems rather than with the 'Detroit Diesel'.

The picture is not reversed as the decal on the air intake panel is readable (mag plug access if memory serves).

It's not set for a buddy start either as didn't we line up the cuff with the spinner fairings?

Anyone's guess I reckon . . .

Dengue Dude,
I thought that I could just make out the lettering on the cowling so thanks for the confirmation. I am now more inclined to think it part of the air test schedule. Still it will give anyone viewing this thread that is not ex 'K' a good view of the engine/prop combo that took so many of us on our adventures to all parts of the globe.

Allow me to interject with a snap of XV197 at Leuchars BoB 91 with Garfield nose art :-)

Hope this works, only about my second post here ever, and never done an image before..

Al.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1400/...17dce35a_b.jpgXV197 by Al Henderson, on Flickr

Garfield pic looks fine Al, brings back a few memories of that det.

The good folks will just have to take my word for it but I think this was Snoopy lying on a Union Flag , I seem to recall we also had a 'Red Baron'.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o.../Albert800.jpg

Here are a few other things we used to see whilst bimbling around at low-level en-route to the desert LZs...

Ahmed Al-Jaber Airfield (with oil fires in background).
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...ar/AAJ1800.jpg

Some form of bunker taken out with a reasonable degree of effectiveness.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...eBunker800.jpg

DH at Ali Al Salem.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o.../AASH72800.jpg

Another angle showing the thickness of the HAS and how useless it was - it was a bit of a wake-up call that we were in a new age of weapon capability.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...r/AASH7800.jpg

A dead Super Connie (used for Rescue training at AAJ - Story here).
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...onnie800PS.jpg

An eerily empty Kuwait City.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...aitCity800.jpg

Great pics Mal :ok:

Had a quick look around and found these ...

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafi...thebaron%2Ejpg

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafi...ettyboob%2Ejpg

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafi...4/dennis%2Ejpg

Image Credit : MOD RAF

More here ... but already posted on this thread by others :ok:

RAF Hercules GW1 Nose Art

Coff.

PS. Smudge old chap ... don't worry about making a few holes in your ceiling as I'm sure you'll still have a bit of Speed Tape to hand ;)

Al,
nice pic and welcome. The more the merrier- memories that is. Very well defined is the reinforcement of the crew entrance door !

I noticed that! Must have been the safest part of the plane :)

Whilst not nearly as exotic as some of the great pictures on this thread (don't think I've ever been in a herc, never mind flown one!), I do have this shot of C.1K XV203 at Leuchars taking part in an AD exercise:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1232/...5ea5fafa_b.jpgXV203 by Al Henderson, on Flickr

Sadly, I don't have too many Ks, presumably a case of taking them for granted until they were gone :sad:

Al.

Al,
the fact that you have not had the 'pleasure' of flying in a 'K' is of no consequence as your pics have added to the treasure trove that we all hope this thread will become. Your last is a fine pic of one of the tankers to which I will contribute in due course.

When asked about dead-heading in a Herk, I always likened it to sitting inside a galvanised dustbin with someone clouting it with a cricket bat.

Be grateful for not having travelled in a K . . . Not too many pics showing the MAROC either.

Dengue-Dude,

How dare you cast nasturtiums on my office of some 5000 flying hours.:rolleyes: Many a happy hour have I spent in a state of somnambulance, whilst awaiting the arrival back at a place of bar and allowances, courtesy of the two winged master race. Only disturbed by the gentle reminder by the "loadbutler" that my main meal (usually ACC) was ready. Rarely did the behemoth cause great problems, though attempts were made, in exotic locations to dwell. But I know what you mean :ok:

Meanwhile, an old ex GE mate and myself are a bit baffled, and would ask the help of those in the know. It concerns operations in Northern Ireland, and here is where we are. As GEs we both remember Operation Banners (Op Banner) A and B. I am of the opinion that Banner A went to Aldergrove and Banner B to Ballykelly, some sense there so far. So what was Op Ferdy ? It also went in to NI. My memory suggests Ferdy involved movements from bases in Germany to the province, my GE mate reckons Ferdy were the Ballykelly runs. We are both unsure, and as we have a couple of hours walking each week, it would be nice to hear the definitive answer. I'm sure someone here knows the answer. I'm still looking for my pics from GW1, SWMBO has found a good hiding place this time.

Smudge:ok:

Wasn't Op Ferdy something to do with bringing missiles or similar from Shorts via Aldergrove?

Mal and Coff,

Smashing pics which are full of memories, do either if you know a PO Nav first name Simon ? I could give you a story there.

November 4,

That's interesting, my log records all Banners originating at Lyneham, often with pick ups from Leeds Bradford etc. the Ferdy's seem to all originate in a load from Germany to Aldergrove, often returning to Lyneham via the likes of Leeds etc. perhaps I'm getting a bit long in the tooth now. Thanks for that though, because my recollection was that if we were bringing anything out of Aldergrove, it usually walked on to the aircraft.

Smudge:ok:

Could very well be the Germany flights Smuj - I remembered Ferdy and that there were some freight flights bringing bang back so could be a case of 2+2..

November 4,

Thanks for that, it reinforces my next argument with my walking pal. Meanwhile, Mrs Smudge has just emerged from the loft with this, it was taken on return from Kuwait to Bahrain (XV297) on the date shown on the photograph. I believe the original intent for the thought bubble above Garfield was "Life's a Beach". We had come out through the oil fires and it was important to get the tar off the windscreens quickly;

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2056c802.jpg

Interestingly, our crew had an hour on the ground in Kuwait, delivering an Armoured Rolls Royce for the embassy, because MAMS roller conveyor was broken, again, and we got rained on by the same oil clouds. Our Flight Engineer had had a very bad experience with helicopters in the Falklands (Bob, if you know him) might give you an understanding of the paranoia he had of flying in cloud near them. Our approach in to Kuwait was done using a US tactical ILS system, through the oil fire smoke. On headset, with US helicopters calling from all over the airspace he was convinced we were going to bump in to one. We didn't, and the photograph proves it. The GE t shirt I wore that day is still in my possession, and still has the black spots of oil, that Mrs Smudge failed to wash out. Anyone remember the "£yneham GE$" T shirt logo ?

Here's one I just scanned;

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps870da7f3.jpg

Obviously designed to "wind up" both the line lads and ladies, and our aircrew comrades. Note its definitely a K. I was once informed that there were an equivalent constituted crew make up at Lyneham of 120 crews. When I was a GE we had 32 GEs, a ratio of around 4:1. I had several occasions to leave a well known bar in Gander, only to arrive back there the next night with a different crew. A busy time, only interrupted by the long detachments to the Gulf. Over a six year period from my logs I averaged 276 days a year "down route". It was surely the most interesting period of my service, and will always remain so. I'm sure a few of you will remember the T shirt though.:eek:

Smudge:ok:

Op Ferdy
 

Perhaps I can help as I was Sqn Ldr Ops at Upavon when the Op Ferdy flights started in either 1987 or 88. Before then all trooping flights in and out of NI went under the heading of Banner whether to Germany or UK stations. Then a military bus travelling between NW of the Province and Aldergrove was bombed.

I went over to NI to do a recce of Ballykelly for which the kind folks of 78(?) Sqn lent me a Wessex and driver - also letting me prove yet again that I can hover but the World around me cannot. After that visit we wrote the Op Order at Upavon, including the Approach Procedures for let downs remaining at all times over the Lough with then minimum time over land for the final circling approach - these were definitely not CAA standard and would not have gained BEagle's approval. The Op Order gained the name Ferdy. When they started they happened to be for Germany based regiments (remember back then there were a lot of regiments in Germany) but also allowed the carriage of women and children (for which Beverley seats were fitted) because of the (lack of) security situation on the roads. Ferdy was the Hercules use of Ballykelly rather than specific to the other destinations.

The terms Banner A and Banner B were really an unofficial shorthand, which developed later, used by Ops both at Lyneham and Upavon to describe the flights.

The original reason for the Bs was the security situation but they were much more convenient for the Army who, of course, decreed what the security situation was.

Xercules,

That helps a great deal, and makes some sense of mine, and my mates confusion.

Smudge:ok:

I have fond memories of driving north out of Aldergrove to open up BK for the flights and trying to make sure that the regiment in residence (and inhabitants of the 'funny farm') weren't going to play silly games on the concrete when 'great metal bird come from sky'. At one stage MT gave us an unmarked LandCruiser with an artificial horizon on the dash - not a wise move when aircrew would be driving it...

Op FERDY was what was colloquially known at Lyneham as the Banner B (ie the Ballykelly runs).

Op BANNER (colloquially known as the Banner A) were the Aldergrove runs.

The Op FERDYs had a particularly 'odd' triangular TACAN let down procedure for when the weather was bad (it certainly did NOT meet APATCE 1 let alone PANSOPS!).

As an aside, I was the Co (along with P... O.... [Obi Wan]) on the crew with the shortest ever groundstop at Ballykelly.

Wheels on to wheels off (with a runway change - we landed on the short, got airborne off the long), 70 odd PAX offloaded, (well) less than 5 minutes on the ground. As operating pilot outbound I was rolling with the 'DOOR OPEN' light still illuminated!

That particular day (Sunday) we pissed off the Staish at Wattisham (but that's another story...)

Adding in the closing bracket Smudge removed via over-vigorous scrubbing. :8


http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps870da7f3.jpg

Strangest trip I ever did during the Banner/Ferdy series was to go to Aldegrove at night on a callout and pick up a man, woman and a child. Plus their two suitcases. We took them to Northolt.
It was during the supergrass era.

I have a memory of only two places where we were cleared for a three engined ferry without referring back to HQ. One was Salalah and the other Aldegrove.
Both during the time of their respective 'troubles'. Is my memory playing tricks ?

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps25e72261.jpg

One of the many trips we did on a regular basis was a schedule to RAF Kai Tak in Hong Kong. As upgently has already posted sometimes we flagged Tan Son Nhut (Saigon) to take in embassy supplies and sometimes a passenger. It was a very busy place as the Vietnam War was in full swing. Just listening to the radios was jaw dropping.
This pic is us following a 'follow me' following a USAF Herc. A 'follow me' was essential as it was very easy to end up in the sin bin.

3engine ferries
 

AA62 - rest assured your memory is good. There were only 2 standing clearances for 3 engine ferries and they were Salalah and Aldergrove. Later though you can add Ballykelly to that although the likelihood would have been fairly remote, as ExA shows, you were not expected to shut down there.

Talking of Obi Wan, hasn't he done well for himself? I like to think I taught him all he knows at several stages in his career, but we all have our delusions.

Xercules,
many thanks for the reassurance that my remaining memory cell still functions now and then. I recall that in the early days of the 'Banners' into Aldegrove we did not shut down when offloading. This gave the Customs man a problem when we arrived from Germany ! I have a 'you could not make it up' tale of a three engine saga if anyone is interested (tale only).

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps108dd4ba.jpg

Smudge,
your tee shirt pic encouraged me to find one of mine. A bit faded !
I used to have a collection of Hercules tee shirts but my grandson took a shine to them, as they do.

AA62 ...

I'm up for it ... sitting comfortably :ok:

Oh, if we're doing Tee-shirts:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...tos/img028.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4ab735b0.jpg

Not a tee shirt but a tea towel ! Surely a real collectors item. Bought for my mother in law who collected (but never used) unusual tea towels. Came to us when she died last year aged 105. We had forgotten it existed.
Three engine ferry tale tomorrow when I find the entry in my log book.

AA62,

The tea towel is a classic. I have, I expect in the loft, to which Mrs Smudge must now be elevated, a stuffed Albert that I won at a £yneham Families Day. I'm sure when I can get her back up the ladder she will find it. Can't wait for the 3 engined transit tomorrow. As an aside, Someone once told me that the Tristar was operated illegally for a couple of years as command operational orders prohibited 3 engined take off by transport aircraft.

Smudge :ok:

30 Sqn were not renowned for discernment were they . . . ?

They even gave me a job for 3 ½ years before shoving me off to the sim.

Wasn't it in the Flying Order Book, my memory was both Salalah and Aldergrove as we were possible recipients of inbound ordnance?

We used to do a demo one on the OCU with one at flight idle if memory serves I think. That or PRT, can't remember