Time as a G.E.
 

Smudge my boy, as I did two stints as a G.E. with the first being 77 to 83 along with other such people as our own Eddie Botham and then dragged back kicking and screaming from Abingdon for a second stint 90 to 94 to play in the GW1 until I departed the mob, we probably did especially if you are the follicly challenged Smudge I remember. All told doing one third of your RAF career as a G.E. can't be all bad can it!

Easter Island ?
 

As Max Boyce used to put it I know because I was there, OP Corporate Pacific division, a very interesting side line to the main happening which did result in a mention in Air Internationals Labour of Hercules article about a South American country all of a sudden doubling its Quota of Hercs, the only mention I have ever seen about that little trip.

Auto pilot
 

In the early days on the OCU at Thorney the route proving flight was a trip to Malta via a Gib night stop where the flight engineer did the servicing to the delight of the techies who got away down town very quickly. As the trip to Gib went out into the Atlantic I believe to make it a longer flight for the Aircrew all that hand flown time was good experience. The other reason to go to Malta was to get in two weeks night flying from the Sunspot dispersal as you couldn't night fly at Thorney as all the retired Navy big wigs didn't like being kept awake by the drone of the Herc. If you wanted to the techies could get to Malta for two weeks every other month, hell wasn't it. Malta was also the only place that I know of where a Herc suffered a Giraffe strike, but that's another story!

Lox pots in Rhodesia
 

The original techie det in Rhodesia consisted of four G.E.s, myself , the estimable Eddie Botham and two other reprobates whose names escape me and yes, it was decided to vent the Lox as the thought of one of the locals having a shot at the nice big white aiming point on the forward fuselage ( a big white cross to show we weren't on anybodies side ) was rather exciting and the only one who did, at least the only one who hit the aircraft, missed the pot but did get the radome anti icing ducting which hung in the SF empire afterwards.
However, and this is another story, we did collect a bullet hole in the lower port fuselage about level with the para seats when operating into Sarajevo, we found it because the whistle of escaping air was loud enough to hear even on the Herc, fixed with a nut, bolt and silicone sealant on return to Zagreb, its probably still there!

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps02549e3a.jpg

We did some interesting and unusual trips on 48. This is Mahe in the Seychelles as they were building the new airport. As you can see it is a work in progress.
An RFA had engine problems just off the Seychelles and needed a new piston.
Now a ship's piston is not a small item ! A plan was hatched to see if it could be delivered by Herc to Mahe, landing on the small strip used by a puddle jumper from South Africa. The late G/C Sweatman (then a S/L) was sent to check. I do not think he used anything more scientific than his experience, certainly no formal CBR check. Yes he said so off we went. More pics in this series to follow.
Gopher more tales thank you. Did you see my pic of the Hercs at Easter Island earlier in this thread ?

C-130 thread
 

Thought that I would continue with the Rhodesia tac theme and then move on to pastures new.

http://i59.tinypic.com/21eb2ad.jpg

C-130 thread
 

Rhodesia strip

http://i61.tinypic.com/30bjz81.jpg

C130 Thread
 

Background on this shot is that as the guerrilla/rebels became more frustrated their demands on the authorities to ensure their co-operation became more bizarre and menacing. This drop was to ensure that the village elder of this settlement kept his head, yep you read that correctly.
The list of items in this load included thousands of Tampax,(not a lass in sight) pots, pans, heaters (temp there was in the 35*C+). The Army Air Dispatch guys worked their butts off and no doubt saved several lives as a result of their efforts. Damn shame that we were SO inaccurate that a number of loads fell into mine fields.

http://i59.tinypic.com/scdhd3.jpg




http://i59.tinypic.com/scdhd3.jpg

C130 Thread
 

Sorry, finger trouble on last page.

Anybody you know from this Rhodesia Det grouping?

http://i58.tinypic.com/2le2jo4.jpg

Gopher01,

I suspect I'm your man, although I doubt follically challenged is an apt description, there's no follicles to challenge. I'm sure we must have shared a few beers down route, but it would be interesting to hear how Eddie Botham managed to snare you back from Abingdon. I'm struggling to remember, but ISTR there were 4 "retreads" (check spelling) who came back for GW1. I bet you must have a few pictures too. Come on, tell all.

Smudge:ok:

Great photos :ok:

Re "The list of items in this load included thousands of Tampax,
(not a lass in sight)"

For bullet wounds, sterile dressings ?

Tampax...

Remember building 4 pallets of boxes of tampax at Ancona during the Sarajevo airlift. That was the only time we saw our female Flt Lt helping us to build anything. She went to climb on top of one the pallets to pull the net over, collapsed the boxes and disappeared back to the office, leaving us to rebuild the pallet.

The 47 Sqn crew's faces were a picture when we told them why the load was so light.

Hope you'll permit an ex-Muppet to post some photos from Op Bushell taken during Nov 1985

http://i58.tinypic.com/5yvuvm.jpg

En route between Assab and Mekele

http://i59.tinypic.com/10coj5w.jpg

Locals helping with the offload at Mekele

http://i59.tinypic.com/2dloduv.jpg

After offloading the grain, there was a dance led by a man with the loud hailer. The dance consisted of going round in circles and stamping a foot in time to the man on loud hailer. The stamping would be so fierce that the wing tips moved.

http://i58.tinypic.com/x3sojb.jpg

Tyre burst on taxi at Assab when loaded with grain. We had to offload the grain before the GEs could change the wheel. They found there was some damage to the undercarriage doors and the rest of the days tasks were cancelled and we flew back to Addis empty. It took a few days for the required spares to arrive before normal air landing ops could continue.

Edited to add - according to my notes, this was XV306 on the 4 Nov 1985

Thanks guys ... this thread is turning into the "Real Life" story of Albert ... facinating :ok:

Come on Brian get posting those pics :)

November4,
welcome to the thread. Here there are no 'I was just an X' here. As Coffman has indicated anyone with tales and/or pics is more than welcome.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...psf4cf2116.jpg

Here we are safely landed at Mahe in the Seychelles on the temporary runway.
As you can see we had a few very curious visitors.

upgently,
as I recall the return rate for the parachutes (Op Agila) was virtually nil which had a knock on effect for training back in the UK. I think the local ladies were rather keen on them for dressmaking and the like.

Gopher1,
The Op Corporate Pacific Division a/c you mention does get a mention in the public domain through Hutchings book SF Pilot (Seaking story).


One of the other contributors to this thread may feel inclined to elaborate.


Apparently the spelin was as good as mine.


One day I might tell the story of how the LGBTG Forum had an impact on our parachute disposal policy.

gopher01,
my log book tells me that on March 6 1968 we took XV 187 to Malta via El Adem. Then on 22 we took XV 188 to Malta for the night flying detachment. When I was an airdrop instructor on the OCU we used to detach to Nicosia for LL and airdrop training. Good times.

C-130 Rodeshia
 

Last couple of Rhodesia set and then onto pastures new

http://i58.tinypic.com/3310xus.jpg

C-130 Rodeshia
 

Oh dear, forgot. It's too big and the wrong way round. Must try harder.

C-130 Rodeshia
 

Smudge

The photo we mentioned showing the entry point of the AK47 round. Look about 1ft aft of the figure 1 on the frame number. I know I know not that exciting on this occasion but.........

http://i57.tinypic.com/2v3py6o.jpg

Lots of comments on this thread from/about GEs. When did Herks start flying down the route with GEs? Dont remember carrying them when I left LA in 69 - or is this another sign of my ever increasing memory loss??

Upgently,

I see the hit on the frame, and for me there was never a small arms hit that didn't pose a threat. Good picture. Not sure if you know the personnel involved in the photo, but I rather suspect that the chap on the left is a GE called Eddie Botham, who was the Flt Sgt i/c Ground Engineers in my day. Thanks for showing us this one.

Nimbev,

Interesting question that one. As an ex AGE, I'm not sure when they first started, or who the first few were. I hope though that their use has been beneficial on routes.

Smudge:ok:

nimbey,
we did not have G/E's when I was at Fairford nor when I was on 48 in FEAF. When they were first introduced I do not know, but it would probably link up with the introduction of the Direct Entry Air Engineer. Previously you had to be at least a J/T in the airframe, engine, instrument or electrics trade.
Which is why as an Air Radar Fitter I could not be an Air Eng . So not being comissionable (at the time) I was selected for Air Signaller. However before I could start the course they suspended training whilst they 'reviewed the requirement'. Best thing that ever happened as far as I was concerned !

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps0ead33b8.jpg

The RFA sent a heli to pick up the spare part and to change over some of the personnel.

upgently,
very nice pic of the chaps. I know most of the usual suspects in the pic

C-130 Rodeshia
 

Ancientav

Now there's interesting as I am one of them.

C-130 thread
 

Here's one for a trip down memory lane for those of us Ex 48 Changi.
48 Sqn bottom right, the NZ Air force Bristol Freighter Pan centre right, and of course the Shack Sqn, 205,or 206, I forget.

http://i59.tinypic.com/30955vk.jpg

C130 Thread
 

An exercise in boredom - 3 hours on night circuits at Changi

http://i57.tinypic.com/wwmc29.jpg

upgently,
Well as you are not Eddie Botham and assuming you are not GF then you must be one of the others ! Perhaps if you wish to remain anonymous then you could PM me. and we could compare notes. Anyone who has read my input to threads various could easily ID me I think. Cracking pics !
If anyone in the future writes the complete history of the 'K' they could do no better than to look at this expanding thread for pics and true tales.
Now where is Brian the Nav ?

Upgently ...

Albert is happy now :ok:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/...psf883537e.jpg

You have some great pics all of you ... :D

Come on Brian ...

C-130 thread
 

So am I . Coffman, how and where do you spin the pic to be mirrored?

Upgently ...

I use PhotoBucket to host my pics which has a convenient "Mirror Flip" tool as part of it's on-line editing suite. But there are a number of free graphic tools for either PC or Mac to do this kind of stuff off-line. 500N is a TinyPic Host user so he might be able to give you a steer on their editing tools :ok:

Best ...

Coff.

upgently

Most image viewing programs (or Photoshop) on your computer have a rotate right or left or
flip horizontal or flip vertical commands in the menu that allow you to do this.


Am looking at tinypic now to see if it can be done within it.


Edit
Can't see anything in tinypic that will allow it to be done.

On the subject of Ground Engineers
 

Nimbev, Ancientaviator,

I wonder if the introduction of the GE coincided with the adoption of crew duty hours for the AT fleet. In the days when the Air Eng, plus crew, could fly a Hastings to Aden, change an engine and do the test runs, and have about 5 hours sleep before charging off to the next port of call, the need for dedicated Groundcrew was limited, and anyway, most transient aircraft stops had people who could help. In my day, the whole of the operating crew were subject to crew duty hours, which meant that a delay at the aircraft to help with aircraft servicing could lead to delayed take off the next day. I'm not too sure about trade qualifications prior to mustering as a Flt Engineer, I personally believe that most of them were pretty well grounded in the systems and how to fix them.

I do remember operation "motorman" when I was a Jnr Tech Airframes at Colerne in the early 70s. When a gang of around 20 of us were sent to augment the Visiting Aircraft team at Aldergrove as the troops and rubber bullets arrived. In my day as a GE, such an operation would have been covered by one or two GEs, going in with the first chalk and recovering on the last. Perhaps more efficient. I do know that GEs were always made to feel part of the team when away from base, although, no doubt some aircrew looked on us as "hangers on". On that basis, some of our former ground single trade colleagues resented our turning up in December with a suntan. Who can blame someone though for taking up a challenge ? To be a C130 Aircraft Ground Engineer required passing all four trade courses on the aircraft, plus a bit in 6 months. Being involved in the progression if the route with the professional operators from the Aircrew side. It was a busy time, and the one statistic I remember from my time (88- 95) was that we had an establishment of 32 AGEs, the flying squadrons had the equivalent of 120 constituted crews. About a 4:1 ratio. My average time away in that period was around 275 days a year, and I logged over 5000 hours of "Air experience". I'm biased, obviously, but I reckon the introduction of the Ground Engineer was a positive move on the AT fleet. Certainly the C130K was a real bonus to the RAF, in its day. I suspect though that it was people who made it work from Captain to mess steward.

A couple of GE down route shots, apologies to former GEs in arms, but we did get some days off.

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...psdb97be7c.jpg
A certain GE in Egypt (No not me, I took the photo). The first GE I ever met who could honestly say he had experience of Camels
(unfortunately not Mr Sopwiths). I'm sure some wit will ask who is riding him:rolleyes:

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3579b5bd.jpg
A day off in Malaysia, and three of us were there at the same time. A rarity.

Sorry for the long post, it's obviously a bit of an interest. I'm hoping I can find some more shots of Albert, always the star.

Smudge:ok:

smudge,
I well recall assisting the Air Eng in various servicing tasks down route both on the Hastings and Hercules before the advent of the G/E. My tech background lent me a little credibility in this respect.
I was once doing some research in the files and came across the original service paper which recommended the setting up of the G/E system for the Hercules.
As far as I can recall the original idea was to emulate the Crew Chief system of the V force whereby he would have his 'own' a/c. This proved to be a non starter for several reasons. This next bit will chime with you ref the base chaps resentment. It was suggested that the aircrew reporting of defects would have more credibility if supported by a G/E ! As you will no doubt confirm those at base merely assumed you were always on the side of the aircrew.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps26c42f6b.jpg

Last in the Mahe sequence. After the Heli left so did we via a fatigue meter busting fly by, to Gan for a night stop. Then back to Changi.

Ancientaviator,

Spot on on the Line reaction to our looking like yes men for the aircrew. Another gripe was when we managed to get one home safely, that required a bit of work, many is the prop we have nursed home, rather than call for a prop change down route. I think you are probably correct about emulating the V force crew chiefs, and lets not forget the Maritime fleet (Nimrods anyway) also operated the crew chief system. I wondered also if carrying a competent SNCO in all trades of the aircraft became necessary as a result of the closure of many bases around the world, often used by AT. There was a discussion on another thread about the old Hastings route out to Sri Lanka, I think it was. In the days of the Hastings the RAF enjoyed bases all the way along the route, with relevant AT support. In my day, on the Herk, a trip leaving for Sri Lanka and points East, on a Sunday would probably night stop Cairo International, a fuel stop at Bahrain and on to Columbo. All now civilian Airports, with no direct RAF engineering ground support. Whatever, I only once met a Pilot who resented the presence of GEs, his problem being that whenever he broke his aircraft, the GE didn't carry the relevant part. I remember pointing out that to accommodate his desire a second Herk would have to follow with the spares. As an aside, and from blokes I know, it appears that since the advent of the J, the workload of the GE has increased and most do not get the luxury of taking to the hammock when away from base. What they do in flight is a mystery, and perhaps someone could elucidate, or is my source, a current GE, just going for bragging rights:rolleyes:

I'm sure there must be some more great pictures out there in this celebration of Albert. And surely some memorable moments, operated by so many people.

Smudge:ok: