RAAF C130 H Retirement ?
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RAAF C130 H Retirement ?
I was just looking through some photos of the terrible flood situation in my old home town of Bundy on the local radio stations Facebook page and noticed one in a series of photos, of a RAAF C130H, A97-007 ostensibly being used for the support operations there.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...levant_count=1
Whilst obviously more concerned with the unfolding difficulties being experienced by those affected in the eastern states, as a minor point, I thought the H's" were retired in November last year.
Just wondering if the old work horses had in fact been retired and this a generic photo or have they been revived to "fight another day"?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...levant_count=1
Whilst obviously more concerned with the unfolding difficulties being experienced by those affected in the eastern states, as a minor point, I thought the H's" were retired in November last year.
Just wondering if the old work horses had in fact been retired and this a generic photo or have they been revived to "fight another day"?
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I think whoever posted that pic just used any old Herc pic.
Had a look at the Defence website and all the pics featured J models - also I think the remaining H models had lost the camo and were dark grey.
Had a look at the Defence website and all the pics featured J models - also I think the remaining H models had lost the camo and were dark grey.
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All were retired last year, and a couple of H models were still in the classic cam pattern.
Although it's entirely possible that the camo H models hadn't flown for a little while ....
Although it's entirely possible that the camo H models hadn't flown for a little while ....
Last edited by Like This - Do That; 31st Jan 2013 at 07:56. Reason: Additional caveat
Readers of this thread may be interested to know that another Hercules has been involved in Bundaberg relief operations. Lynden Air Cargo's Hercules N404LC has been operating several shuttles daily from Brisbane with supplies. This aeroplane is better known to us as the former Cargomasters' VH-CYO.
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C130H at Bundaberg
Can guarantee no RAAF C130H would have been in Bundy this year. Attended the "End of an Era" send off to the type at the end of November when the last two operational aircraft flew their final flights prior to disposal.
Last edited by Old Fella; 4th Feb 2013 at 03:57.
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Old Fella - 006 was doing check flights at RIC in mid Jan following sched maintenance.
Has now been put to bed pending US approval of gift/sale to Indons and onwards.
Has now been put to bed pending US approval of gift/sale to Indons and onwards.
Last edited by FoxtrotAlpha18; 5th Feb 2013 at 06:25.
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Thanks FA18. I do expect that most of the H models will be eventually going offshore and that they will be flown again. My point was that they were decommissioned from RAAF operational flights at the end of November. It is hard to believe that 34 years has passed since I was part of the ferry crew on 001 & 012.
Last edited by Old Fella; 5th Feb 2013 at 11:01.
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Between you and I...I doubt the Indon gifts will ever go ahead.
They're not getting the ones that still have usable hours on them - these are being reserved for possible sale (Philippines has been mentioned).
It's doubtful the Indons could afford to service the aircraft that need them let alone organise an MRO to do the work at RIC, and the US State Dept (ITAR) may not allow them to go anyway!
They're not getting the ones that still have usable hours on them - these are being reserved for possible sale (Philippines has been mentioned).
It's doubtful the Indons could afford to service the aircraft that need them let alone organise an MRO to do the work at RIC, and the US State Dept (ITAR) may not allow them to go anyway!
Last edited by FoxtrotAlpha18; 5th Feb 2013 at 19:58.
