Farewell Albert K

Today saw the final flights of the Royal Air Force’s C130K better known as Fat Albert, as XV 177 and XV 214 were ferried to St Athan for disposal.

As with most things associated with this remarkable aircraft this has gone largely unnoticed and unreported. The nation (and indeed one could easily say the world) owes a massive debt of gratitude to the aircraft and those who flew in and maintained them.

I have many many happy stories of my days at Lyneham (though I was mostly downroute during my tour). Days of being a Samsonite Warrior and many of digging in not checking in. ‘Interesting’ flying on Ops and on Red Flag and more ‘mundane’ routes all around the world.

We should not forget the losses of XV 193 and XV 179 with all on board and the operational losses of recent years where thankfully the crews walked away.

Perhaps I am biased but I reckon the C130K has been the most influential aircraft the RAF has had on inventory since 1945. I would have liked to see more preserved but alas it is not to be.

So as I raise a glass of Scotland’s finest, my toast is “Farewell Fat Albert, enjoy your well earned retirement”