Had it been new build and a possible contender for the US P8 programme then
A many problems relating to bespoke and not jig built airframes would not have arisen
B the potential sales would have made the investment worthwhile

It would have required 70+ aircraft to hard tool up for new build just to pay for the jigs etc, add to this the cost of recertification of the new fuselage and the cost went even higher.
Sadly MRA4 was a decade to early to hit the export market, only now (some 15 years after original contract award) is a market for LRMPA becomming visible, 15 years ago the export potential was on the radar, but well beyond the date MRA4 should have been completed – Mike

Why not put the C130 aircraft in to Marshalls at the end of their service life, let them re-manufacture them, fit them out with a sensor system compatible for MPA duties before returing them to service with zero flying hours (sound familiure to anyone).

Marshalls were linked to either Loral or Lockhead Martin during the RMPA competition, but their method was kitting out the P3 Orion, it was either new ones or rebuilt ones, I can’t remember the exact details.

C130 for dedicated MPA, I doubt it, no MAD boom, high vibration, high noise level isn’t something that can provide an effective mission crew when needed after a long transit for MPA duties, couple this to an already limited number of aircraft already in high demand (sound familiure again) I guess the order for the P8 won’t be too long as the requirement for an MPA hasn’t gone away, just the platform designed for this specific role – Mike

Based upon something like the An225 fitted with two decks and standing room only, to get the extra thrust for take off the punkah louvre vents in both cabins have to be adjusted to point to the rear of the cabin, for landing passengers will be asked to make them point forwards aiding the reverse thrust.

I wrote that based upon the seriousness of the orignal linked article because its a similar level of fiction – Mike

An124 at 37,000FT this is the view through one of the rear escape hatch windows in the passenger pod at the rear of the jet during a left turn – Mike

The Nose U/C does have a set of doors but they open inwards so you don’t see them too easily, look closer at the third picture from last and you can see a nose door inside the bay – Mike

Great pictures Ben, was it XV249 and does anyone know what the items attached to the Rib 7 pylons on both wings are for? – Mike

Is the “Jumbo Jet” part of a cake decoration as it looks like its made of marzipan in places……

Mike

Why did they leave the Bucc’s air-brakes open, surely that would make it much harder for the truck on the motorways…?
:rolleyes:

Closed it would have overhung the rear of the truck, also when closed they are far more difficult to see, being open they present an easy to see item for other drivers making the load safer for its transit down the road – Mike