Posted on Pprune
The Combat Shadow’s last ride
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The MC-130 Combat Shadow is due to retire after 49 years of distinguished service. To mark the retirement of this faithful old war horse, the last aircraft will be flown around her former UK bases in order: Sculthorpe, Prestwick, Woodbridge, Alconbury and Mildenhall.
The final flight will also take in two locations which have played a significant part in the history of the Squadron:
Hunstanton – to honour the Squadron’s heroic rescue during the East Coast Floods of 1953 and to salute a founder member of the Squadron; Airman Second Class Reis L Leming who was awarded the George Medal after single-handedly rescuing 27 people from the flood waters despite being unable to swim.
Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum – to salute the very close working relationship which the Museum has maintained with the Squadron since 1980. The Aviation Museum houses a special display dedicated to the extensive history of the Squadron.
No trip around the UK would be complete without a visit to the “Mach Loop”! This will allow photographers a final opportunity to catch a Combat Shadow at low level.
Friday 24 January 2014
Takeoff
Sculthorpe
Hunstanton – 1015
Prestwick – 1230
Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum – 1245
Mach Loop – 1315-1345
Woodbridge
Alconbury
MildenhallPlease note – the flight could be cancelled or the timings amended at very short notice due to aircraft serviceability, weather or SAR callout. Get your cameras ready and let’s see this old girl off in style!
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/532472-combat-shadows-last-ride.html
By: TonyT - 25th January 2014 at 12:47
David oddly enough they tried to get it to Duxford, posted on the pprune thread mentioned at the top
jimgriff – unfortunately the Mach Loop was a washout yesterday!
NutLoose – Lord knows I tried! I suggested that Mildenhall should have a Memorial Air Park, like the extensive one at Lakenheath, with 65-0991 “The Son Tay Raider” as the first resident. The costs to build the Air Park, not to mention the costs to de-mil the MC-130 were astronomical! The second option was to fly her to Duxford for a well earned retirement, that was too costly too.
The good news is that 0991 did not go to the boneyard, she was flown to Hurlburt and will be preserved there. A fitting end for a distinguished old war horse!
0215 was seen off in some style at Mildenhall last night
SJG
By: warhawk69 - 24th January 2014 at 22:09
Did anybody catch this in the end? I know they were 20 mins early at Hunstanton and even the local press missed them. I am told it was just the one as well.
By: Johnny Kavanagh - 22nd January 2014 at 17:43
Our man on the inside assures us it will not be alone – it is to be accompanied (shadowed?) by it’s replacement, a newer Hercules derivative. So two Herculi for the price of one, serviceability and weather permitting etc.
By: David Burke - 22nd January 2014 at 14:17
Save a little fuel and kindly park it at Duxford when your finished !
By: warhawk69 - 22nd January 2014 at 13:55
******, going to Heacham (next to Hunstanton) on Friday but wont get there until late afternoon….grrrrr!
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January 22, 2014 at 1:10 pm