Were any of the Prodded Hercules, modified to permit flights between Ascension Island and Port Stanley airport ever saved or earmarked for conservation. If they were which aircraft were saved, and where are they?
Assuming they were Hercules C1s which were sold off when the C130Js were delivered, were they de-prodded before sale
I am aware that the USMC operates C130s as tankers, but is there any other force that uses them as receivers
By: DaveF68 - 26th June 2009 at 13:50
These days they are just SF hercs, there are no dedicated EC hercs.
I’m thinking back to the 70s/80s time period
By: baloffski - 26th June 2009 at 10:56
Don’t forget that the RAF ‘K’ model is pretty unique in the world in that it had the RAF tie down system for cargo. This meant the aircraft was structurally quite different, and it would be very expensive to convert to ‘normal’ spec.
And what a pain it was. If ever there was a case for stringing somebody up in procurement that was it. Having to lie on the freight bay floor with your cheek on often red hot metal just so you can blow sand out of the floor point was (and I have no doubt still is) the bane of many a backenders life. As you were already sweating somewhat your face would look like a fish finger as the sand invariably stuck to it.
And as for that winch. It was rubbish when it was fitted to the Beverley so I am told. Better than the J model option though. HMG opted as a cost saving to not have the standard fit winch which swivelled out of the floor, and resorted to good old Beverley Technology once more!
Back on topic though, It became very prudent to check that the helpful chap who volunteered to do the Probe Pull Off Checks before a planned tanking sortie over the North Atlantic was A) aware that quite a lot of fuel could come out (to be collected in poly bags honest guv) and B) that the co pilots DV window was shut before commencing. Or the Flight Deck Crew could get quite annoyed at the smell of Avtur on a seven hour trip!
By: 12jaguar - 26th June 2009 at 08:24
Not forgotten:confused:……25 of the 66 still in service and for a long time yet
Garry
14 left now
By: bloodnok - 26th June 2009 at 08:20
The RAF’s EC-130 equivalents are probably the rarest Hercs – i beleive you could identify them by additional external antennae wires.
These days they are just SF hercs, there are no dedicated EC hercs.
By: 92fis - 26th June 2009 at 01:21
Not forgotten:confused:……25 of the 66 still in service and for a long time yet
Garry
There is a lot less than 25 in service now.
By: garryrussell - 25th June 2009 at 21:12
Not forgotten:confused:……25 of the 66 still in service and for a long time yet
Garry
By: DaveF68 - 25th June 2009 at 20:55
Also, don’t forget the K is still in service, and likely to be for a few more years yet (If they don’t fall apart before then)
By: DaveF68 - 25th June 2009 at 20:53
“RAF C-130 with electronic intelligence equipment flew from the Pacific via Easter Island disgused as Chilean Air Force aircraft. This was done on the premise they had to fly between internal destinations within Chile collecting intelligence. The aircraft were noted by the misspelling of the Fuerza Area de Chile.”
The RAF’s EC-130 equivalents are probably the rarest Hercs – i beleive you could identify them by additional external antennae wires.
By: bloodnok - 25th June 2009 at 07:05
As regards preservation, the Belfast was saved when the type finshed service with the RAF. Perhaps they will save a Herk then.
The RAF have nothing to do with those scrapped in the desert as they were traded to Lockheed against new C-130J and a few others were sold to other Air Forces. Some damaged or expired aircraft were stripped by the RAF for spares. The RAF have been recycling parts or selling aircraft not wasting them.
The scrapped aircraft probably had the airframe componants saved by Lockheed if worth it, but the aircraft themselves would be of little interest as the C-130K was Anglicised with each new aircraft in the 60’s flown to Marshall and then stripped of systems and instruments and that being replaced with British equipment. So in that respect they are a special version.
I think the K is a C-130E with the engines of the H and British equipment.
Garry
Don’t forget that the RAF ‘K’ model is pretty unique in the world in that it had the RAF tie down system for cargo. This meant the aircraft was structurally quite different, and it would be very expensive to convert to ‘normal’ spec.
By: garryrussell - 25th June 2009 at 01:28
As regards preservation, the Belfast was saved when the type finshed service with the RAF. Perhaps they will save a Herk then.
The RAF have nothing to do with those scrapped in the desert as they were traded to Lockheed against new C-130J and a few others were sold to other Air Forces. Some damaged or expired aircraft were stripped by the RAF for spares. The RAF have been recycling parts or selling aircraft not wasting them.
The scrapped aircraft probably had the airframe componants saved by Lockheed if worth it, but the aircraft themselves would be of little interest as the C-130K was Anglicised with each new aircraft in the 60’s flown to Marshall and then stripped of systems and instruments and that being replaced with British equipment. So in that respect they are a special version.
I think the K is a C-130E with the engines of the H and British equipment.
Garry
By: spitfireman - 24th June 2009 at 23:13
The reason why Met didn’t always get it right was because various Plonkers would park their Landrovers outside our only window.
Resmoroh
That would be me then, they were my Landrovers.
Can’t remember blocking your door though.
By: Resmoroh - 24th June 2009 at 16:43
The “Control Tower” on the roof is/was a TGRI (Tactical Ground Radio Installation). It was inhabited by “TacATC”. ‘Tack-attack’ did the Air Tragic bizz in far flung parts. They may still do so – TCW pse reply. The Container (on the left roof) was OC Ops’ “bothie”. OC Ops’s tended to change. One may come in at morning briefing and require a full meteorological breakdown. Another would come to the Met Office window (behind the two right hand – as viewed – Landrovers) he would point to a bit of his Combat Kit jacket which was green, then look in through the Met Office window and put an interrogative ‘thumbs-up’ sign. This indicated that “was the weather going to be Green or better”. If we said “Yes” (thumbs up)
he would step back so as to be seen by Air Tragic Control in their greenhouse on the top floor and shout “Launch the fleet”. Various Phantoms would then do their bit to reduce my (now) hearing!
The reason why Met didn’t always get it right was because various Plonkers would park their Landrovers outside our only window. This is not rubbish. This is how it actually worked.
HTH
Resmoroh
By: spitfireman - 24th June 2009 at 15:09
Ah…….fat alberts
By: Resmoroh - 24th June 2009 at 13:33
Creaking Door,
I’ve sent you a PM.
Resmoroh
By: dailee1 - 24th June 2009 at 13:01
C130s for Preservation
From the foregoing it shows how little the Powers thart be consider the merits of articles for preservation. With only 10 Belfasts built and entering service there is one preserved at Cosford. but for 91 Hercules, there are none anywhere earmarked for preservation in a museum. Granted the Belfast is a British design, but the sheer number of C130s around the world and their value on the resale market, must influence the vendors to recoup their costs
By: JagRigger - 24th June 2009 at 12:34
Few more pics:
And one preserved:
By: Bager1968 - 24th June 2009 at 04:41
The USMC KC-130Js are fitted for a flight-line attachable probe to receive fuel from any hose/drogue equipped tanker.
By: TEEJ - 24th June 2009 at 00:40
I wonder who that quick-thinking Met Man was? :rolleyes:
How did it get there? Via Antarctica…..or somewhere not so chilly? 😉
Although there has been nothing officially from UK source there has been from Chile.
The then head of the Chilean Air Force, General Fernano Matthei, has revealed the following in TV interview.
“RAF C-130 with electronic intelligence equipment flew from the Pacific via Easter Island disgused as Chilean Air Force aircraft. This was done on the premise they had to fly between internal destinations within Chile collecting intelligence. The aircraft were noted by the misspelling of the Fuerza Area de Chile.”
Chilean Liason Officer: “RAF Nimrod electronic warfare aircraft operated from the remote San Felix island in the Pacific.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzIaCbwt10c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD8OI2co4jg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tU9OYiLjW0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdu42R3-8X8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnQwqJK7Ba4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YFOwCAGiUk
TJ
By: bloodnok - 23rd June 2009 at 21:17
Correct, the probes on the J are a bolt on affair, IIRC they’ve not been cleared for flight in the J Release to Service document, but I may be wrong.
John
They fly with them fitted quite frequently, although I don’t know if they are cleared to tank with them.
They are quite a simple affair to fit, a few bolts, a bit of quick release plumbing and a plug.
By: 12jaguar - 23rd June 2009 at 20:36
Aren’t the C-130J’s able to be ‘prodded’ ???
IIRC, the refueling probe is a role fitment – and attaches to the port upper fuselage when needed.
Correct, the probes on the J are a bolt on affair, IIRC they’ve not been cleared for flight in the J Release to Service document, but I may be wrong.
John
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June 23, 2009 at 4:03 pm