Lodestar/Harpoon on Top Gear

The head on shot at the start is a C-130J, it’s the tailfin you can see above the cockpit.

Doh!!!

Now don’t I feel foolish…… 😮

Ken

Just watched it on YouTube……

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RQ4wX8CGbM

In the opening seconds (at 0.07) there is a head-on shot showing a Herk with 6-bladed props – and an IFR probe on the centreline.

The UK-modified C-130K has a square-section probe on the centreline, the new C-130J has a more aerodynamic probe offset over the pilot’s side (when it is fitted).

Then at 3.57 it is clearly a C-130K – with square section probe and FOUR BLADED props.

Then at 3.59 it reverts to being a J model – with 6-bladed props, no probe.

Same at 6.09…..

Clearly 2 (maybe 3) C-130’s involved in the shooting – but I am intrigued by the opening shot – it clearly looks like a K – but with 6-bladed props.

Puzzled…. a SIX-bladed C-130K ????

Ken

The head on shot at the start is a C-130J, it’s the tailfin you can see above the cockpit.

A quick glimse on Top Gear of one of the above in a scrapyard/storage area in the U.S. Anyone know which she is ? She had ‘Lucky Lady’ nose art.

Back to the original question and courtesy of the BBC iPlayer..
I’m guessing Lodestar

Just watched it on YouTube……

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RQ4wX8CGbM

In the opening seconds (at 0.07) there is a head-on shot showing a Herk with 6-bladed props – and an IFR probe on the centreline.

The UK-modified C-130K has a square-section probe on the centreline, the new C-130J has a more aerodynamic probe offset over the pilot’s side (when it is fitted).

Then at 3.57 it is clearly a C-130K – with square section probe and FOUR BLADED props.

Then at 3.59 it reverts to being a J model – with 6-bladed props, no probe.

Same at 6.09…..

Clearly 2 (maybe 3) C-130’s involved in the shooting – but I am intrigued by the opening shot – it clearly looks like a K – but with 6-bladed props.

Puzzled…. a SIX-bladed C-130K ????

Ken

I believe that a C Mk5 (ZH887?) has been at China Lake for some time on trials so that could fit the bill for one of the screen shots

John

No-one has mentioned the Herk in the background…..

In one shot it looked like a ‘K’ model – complete with square-section IFR probe.

In others it was definitely a ‘J’ – with 6-bladed (8??) props.

Anyone got an Iplayer download/freeze frame of it ???

IIRC, it was when the rally car and bike did the ramp takeoff over the tunnel – the K goes past in the background.

Ken

I’m pretty sure that David was enquiring about the specific aircraft-not the location of the scrapyard

Believe they mentioned it was Inyokern, which happens to be within, or adjacent to the USN’s China Lake facaility in California.

Yes, according to Captain Slow, it is Inyokern, California

A quick glimse on Top Gear of one of the above in a scrapyard/storage area in the U.S. Anyone know which she is ? She had ‘Lucky Lady’ nose art.

Believe they mentioned it was Inyokern, which happens to be within, or adjacent to the USN’s China Lake facaility in California.

did not see it…but there are tons at Mesa, Falcon Field