What great memories this thread provokes.....

On the fleet from '85 until 2003; I suspect I know you both....and indeed 'worked for' AA62.

Happy days!

AA62

That's interesting that they arrived without a working autopilot. I only started my association with the Aircraft at Colerne in 1971. Someone once told me that the autopilot, like other bits, were "scavenged" from the Vulcan fleet, perhaps you could confirm that. Nice to see some pics of the inside of the aircraft for a change, mine tended to be of the outside.

Smudge:ok:

Smudge,
I think you may be correct in your assumption ref the autopilot. It had not been cleared by Boscombe before the 'K' entered service and this was the way it was for almost a year. So the pilots had to hand fly and down the route this became tiring. So we all had a go in the co's seat. As I already had a PPL this was fine straight and level but landing would have been 'interesting'. Later on I did several 'arrivals' but only in the sim.
The UK's insistence on replacing the US avionics with UK kit did cause a few problems. I recall looking at an ADF receiver on an early 'K' and it had BOAC stickers on it. And of course the fire warning coming on when we transmitted on certain frequencies on the HF. This could also cause the Doppler to unlock.
Will will not mention the CCWR will we ?

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3545c0d5.jpg
This is Raf Changi during my time on 48.
The Hastings pic is from a postcard at the now defunct Skyfame museum at Staverton, Tg 528 now resides at Duxford in Berlin Airlift markings.
When the young chap was showing me around 528 at Staverton, I put my hand down behind the soundproofing in the galley and pulled out a stick of paper cups and a pad of trim sheets . He was speechless.
A sadder note was that the standard trim fixed to the inside of the crew toilet door was signed by the AQM who was killed in the crash of XV 180.

Ex Ascoteer,

Steve Ryle was kind enough to let me post this shot of your display Herk XV292.

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...psdb9825bd.jpg

Taken at Fairford IAT 30 July 1994. I suspect no GE would have done that trip, Inthink they used to take a couple of Lineys! Nice Photo Steve, and thanks for the permission.

Do any of you guys know if XV208 Snoopy is still flying ? I believe she was converted back from a W2 to a K ... may have done some service with the Dutch AF and then engine trials for the A400M with Marshalls at Cambridge ... saw her in the air once ... quite an impressive sight :ok:

Am I right in thinking XV208 served on 48 Squadron before she was converted to the W2 Met Snoopy.

http://www.qsl.net/g3tso/images/Aviation/Snoopy.jpg

Image Credit : Met Office

Snoopy went back to Marshalls and was used as the test airframe for the Airbus A400 engine:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...ft/SnoopyE.jpg

Sadly the airframe is now being broken up. I believe the wings are being sold to one of the European herc operators. A pity really, such a unique aircraft should have gone to a museum.



PS. Yes Snoopy was an ex 48 Sqn 'frame.

XV187 at Asi.

Strangely enough I flew this frame more than any other:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/img_0037.jpg

Many thanks ExAscoteer ... what a shame ... a sad end for poor old Snoop :(

Where was Snoopy based as a W2, and how crewed, from one of the transport squadrons?

Initially at Farnborough and later at Boscombe Down

The flight deck crews were drawn from the Met Research Flight (MRF), however there were no dedicated Co-Pilots so Snoopy generally flew with 2 Herc Captains, one acting as Captain the other as Co.

On occasions where people were on leave then MRF would drawn on the main sqns at Lyneham to provide the Co.

It was this way that I managed to achieve so many hours as a Co on Snoopy. :ok:


http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...ing20Badge.gif

I don't know why, but I always suspected Fergineer was involved with Snoopy. If you are awake down there Fergie, am I right ?

Smudge:ok:

I spent 11 happy years on the Herc, had some fantastic trips & flights on them as a mere SAC techie "erk"... My best memories were flying down "starwars valley" in Canada low level, spending a fair amount of time flying around the Falklands doing air to air refuelling & low level training, and my last ever flight on a herc, which consisted of being intercepted by a Typoon up in Scotland, then flying back to Lyneham low level all through Scotland, into wales and down over the Elan Valley dams. Stunning weather as well, was a fitting end to my RAF service. XV200 was always my favourite aircraft, it was the workhorse of the SF fleet & always seemed to soldier on, despite taking a beating nearly every flight!

Out of interest, does anyone have a link to the tribute to the Hercules RAF video, it had U2 playing beautiful day as the sound track? I can't find it anywhere on line anymore? :ugh:

Kengineer-130,


I couldn't find the video you referred to but I thought you might like this one made by the RAF Museum - it includes several people giving first hand accounts from the earliest days in RAF service. I wasn't aware of the JATFOR exercises referred to which involved 36 x C-130K flying low in close formation - must have been impressive.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaUVhEaK_OE

Just a small side question ...

Did we ever consider using JATO on the Herc in RAF service (I know the Americans and Israelis did) ?

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps547ba62a.jpg
CoffmanStarter,
I never came across any proposals for JATO use during my time on the a/c. It should really be RATO as the augmentation uses rockets.
Perhaps it was suggested for SF use at some time but never used. We did have a Herc gunship but that's another story !
This is an 'official pic' of a 48 Sqn a/c complete with 'sun hat'.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4cb66bab.jpg
Just to confirm XV 208 is in my log book from my time on 48 in Changi. First trip in her was the Honour Guard changeover to Korea via Kai Tak and then home via various places in Japan.
Pic of mount Fuji taken on the climb out from Yokota AFB. Known as 'Scenic Departure one !'

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps515e3539.jpg

Found this poster of the 1994 Fairford IAT

Kengineer 130,

I also had the C130 YouTube tribute, it seems it's been deleted. As you enjoyed your low level through Wales, check out this nice bit of low level Albert (J though) using the "Mach Loop". A few other nice aircraft, but Albert at start and finish are best IMHOP.

http://youtu.be/gL-KV79UkQ

Smudge:ok:

I don't think so.

However the airframes were certainly fitted for it in terms of the wiring and switchery.

The RAF did actually use JATO, but possibly only once. The 'cans' that were used were in one of the sqdn crew rooms at Rompers (dont ask which one, the sqdns were just a blur to Linies).

The auto pilot wasnt in use in the 1st year or so, think it might have been short of the locking unit. It wasnt scrounged from the Vulcan, it was merely a different version of the Smiths Mk 10 series,Vulcan, Victor, Argosy(?) used MK10A, Albert used MK10B (IIRC).

Always wondered why they didnt use MFS instead of C12, HSI etc, MFS seemed to me to be more reliable than the American fit except maybe for the MFS Beam Compass;I certainly spent more time changing C12 and MD1 gyros on the Herc than the MFS vertical and azimuth gyros on Vs. I spent 3 years at 30 M.U. stripping and rebuilding C12s and MD1s at 2 per week each and only changed a couple of azimuth and vertical gyros in 9 yrs working on the line at Waddo, Scampton and Marham. Smiths stuff was definitely better quality and could be paid for in stirling rather than greenbacks which was definitley a huge issue at the time.

MFS was fitted to Argosies and SFS to Britts as well as the Vulcan/Victor 2s, so was still an up to date system when the Herc was ordered;perhaps someone can explain the C12/HSI, MD1/ADI fit on Albert?

Previous post may give the impression that SFS was fitted to Vs. It wasnt, only to Britts, but you already knew that, just making sure you knew that I knew that................etc etc.

Smuj I was indeed associated with Snoopy and had many happy times on her. The operating crew airframe were indeed drawn from squadrons as a posting which I unfortunately did not get. I was flying Snoops when I came back from Oman till I went back to mainline although I did fly her when on the squadrons. The Engineer and Loady were both Engineers. Manned down the back by Met research flight and maintained by civvy engineers.

Fergineer,

I just seem to remember some bar, somewhere, having that conversation with you. That's why I mentioned it. Meanwhile, an Engineer doing Loadie stuff ? Gracious, I never met and Eng who could put a tea bag in a paper cup :eek: certainly not whilst airborne.

Stay well mate

Smudge:ok:

Ahhhh, the opening lines from the flight engineer when looking at the F700: Decca Nav inop, TAC 1 loss of range lock....like sweet music :)

XV203 was my favourite, just cos we did 4 months in MPA together :)

fergineer,
were you ever on that famous palm tree squadron at Lyneham ?

pbk,
ref the JATO use by the RAF. When I was a member of the HEART there was nothing in the 'paper trail' to even suggest that JATO use had eveR been contemplated. I suspect the 'cans' you saw were souvenirs from the USAF.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4f1ce330.jpg

Latest pic. this (hopefully will be one of s sequence of three). Taken whilst on 48 Sqn at Changi. I am trying to put them in chronological order but happy to deviate to suit the thread.

I have to say AA, there really is something about Albert in the Light Stone/Dark Earth colour scheme. What a cracking picture. Unfortunately, by the time they decided to pay a Junior Technician enough money to afford himself a colour camera, they had posted me to Akronelli. I remember 70 Squadron being there during my time (73-75) with a combination of Whistling Tits and Alberts. Anyone have any photographs from those days ? Keep them coming AA, they take years off me.

Smudge:ok:

PS, I suspect Fergineer operated with most of the residents at Lyneham, he always looked a bit weather worn to me :ouch: As a current resident of KiwiLand he will probably take a few hours to respond.:rolleyes:

A62 I sure was

Whats with the weather worn smuj.....skin like a babies bottom!!!!!!

Random memories
 

Just come back from visiting the 'Off-spring' at Toulouse ( he works for Airbus) so a bit late with my input.


When 48 started with the Herc' we had XV 198-209 inclusive; I recall the first replacement to arrive was 307, can't remember which airframe it replaced.


Re auto-pilot; when we took the a/c to Changi they were without them but I think it wasn't as long as a year before they were fitted - we have a 48 reunion on June 21st I'll try to remember to ask if anyone can remember.


That atmospheric picture of XV179 flying along the coast looks like it the east coast with maybe Pulau Tioman in the distance.


Re ADF; The receiver IIRC was behind the port main under carriage and we had no end of problems when rained poured into it. I think it was a 'No-go item' on long sea legs with limited aids.


The only time I used Decca for real was when detached from 30 to JATE in 72-3 and it was great for dropping stand-off para' from 25000' - we ran in to the release point on a Decca line using BZN Tacan and a radar fix from LATCC MIl' to get a accurate check for 'Red-on, green-on'.


JATFOR- hmmmm! One of the reasons a few of us left at our 8-year points. The thought of flying around in 36 ship formations assisting the pongoes in resisting the Russian hordes as they swept through Germany was not as appealing as good old route trips!


Crikey, all this was more than 40 years ago!!!


Brian Wildey

JATFOR and 36 ship formations were OK when the weather was good - it was when you ran into bad weather and had to abort the low level that things became scary. I remember incredibly convoluted penetration and scatter plans all of which involved 36 aircraft suddenly popping up on Mil Radar and asking for assistance. Mind you that was nowhere near as hectic as having 3 separate streams of aircraft, Argosy, Hastings and Beverley all flying at different speeds on different routes and (in theory) slotting in one behind the other at an initial approach point. It was quite normal for the Beverleys to arrive at the IAP while the Hasting stream were still going past and having to do an orbit prior to slotting in behind them.

fergineer,
I was on 30 from 1988-1996 and 'in the chair' next door. If this is your timescale then we are certainly know each other.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdf8e0c22.jpg

Glad everyone seems happy with the pics. I too liked the original colour scheme best and there are a few more in this coat to come. Brian48Nav did you recognize Mount Fuji ? I am relying on you to keep me on the straight and narrow in respect of the 48 Sqn pics !
Ah JATFOR ! I have spoken at length on another thread about my Bold Guard and Deep Furrow experiences.

A62 that would be me then, left Palm trees to go to Oman for a few years!!!!!

Thought it might be you Fergie. I can still hear your voice !

AA62
 

Love the pictures and fully agree the original colour scheme took some beating.
I did see Mt Fuji when on a N Pacific trainer in '69 but had given up taking pictures from the Herc' after a couple of self-made cock-ups. At Saigon I took about a dozen shots from the a/c before the skipper, John Cheshire , bollo**ed me. Then found I had forgotten to wind the film on!
Then on a Kathmandu trip, we flew right up close to Everest, I took a few snaps and on processing found that the flap of the camera case had obscured half the frame! At least, by way of compensation, I became a Dad that day :ok:.


Very same off-spring when on a Tokyo trip with Virgin, about 5 years ago, led a group from the crew up Mt Fuji.


When were the astrodromes removed from the aircraft?

Berian

Re this,

"At Saigon I took about a dozen shots from the a/c before the skipper, John Cheshire , bollo**ed me."


May I ask why he "bollo**ed me" ?

I believe the RAF weren't supposed to be anywhere near the Vietnam theatre of operations, as the UK was officially staying out of that mess.