raf hercules retirement

They were delivered to the base between 1999 and 2001. Marshall have been an instrumental cog in the Hercules machine right from the off, having performed all fleet conversion work throughout the aircraft’s history and today supporting the C-130J in this latest upgrade programme. 407270. The final year of VC10 operations showed that the retirement plans as explained in June 2012 didn't completely cover the reality. For many of us who have flown with the RAF, 2013 was a sad year which saw the retirement of both the VC10 and Hercules C1/C3 (C130K), and 2014 will see another of these sad days when the much loved Tristar is retired from service in March. A government-to-government contract for the first two aircraft was concluded in August 2017, followed by a contract for three more in June 2019. They are equipped with a probe-and-drogue refueling system capable of refueling 2 aircraft simultaneously from the 2 underwing pods; they can also use the single fuselage-mounted Hose Drum Unit (HDU). The C-130J was due for retirement in 2022, however the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review saw a need for the life of the fleet to be extended and this programme will ensure Hercules continue to deliver on operations for the UK up until 2030. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defence missions with stealth capability. 47 Squadron Wing Commander Andy Johnson on 1st March. A total of five ex-RAF Hercules C5s have now been acquired by the BAF. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of … www.facebook.com/royalairforcebrizenorton/, Ministry of Defence copyright licensing information. In the aeromedical evacuation role either 64 or 82 stretchers could be carried, depending on the mark of aircraft and the stretcher configuration. It marks the start of the centerwing upgrade programme, which will see all 14 aircraft in the fleet receive the upgrade over several years at Marshalls. XXIV, 30 and 47 Squadrons. Thus, on 2 February 1951, the United States Air Force issued a General Operating Requirement (GOR) for a new transport to Boeing, Douglas, Fairchild, Lockheed, Martin, Chase Aircraft, North American, Northrop, and Airlifts Inc. On May 10, 2018 RAF C-130J CMk.5 tail ZH889 made a flight across the pond to NAS Pensacola which further fueled the speculation that an RAF Super Hercules is in the works. The first aircraft, XV177, was delivered to the RAF on 19th December 1966, followed throughout 1967 by delivery of a further 65 aircraft. From: Derek Percival [mailto:derek.percival@metoffice.com] ... W Mk2 XV208 . Hercules Retirement. 37 Squadron. With the arrival of a new year another long serving RAF aircraft is retired. Aircraft looks to have diverted into Dundee Airport after pulling a sharp turn over the North Sea. Charity Registered in England No. Since 1967, this aircraft provided the UK with the ability to move equipment and personnel globally on both military and humanitarian operations. The aircraft of course was the Harrier. Registered in England No. The Hercules fleet first came into service with the RAF back in 1967 as the C.Mk 1, later known as the ‘K’ model, and has been the backbone of UK operations ever since. This has the happy side-effect of minimizing turbulence for pilots taking up refueling stations behind the wings. Note: 216 Sqn hosted an Enthusiasts’ Day at RAF Brize Norton to mark the retirement of three aircraft types from service: the Tristar, the VC10 and the C-130K Hercules. It was originally planned that all existing Hercules airframes would be phased out, with the new A400M Atlas aircraft taking over all roles. Over the years it has proved to be a versatile and rugged aircraft, primarily intended for tactical operations including troop carrying, parachuting, supply dropping and aeromedical duties. The first Hercules left Cambridge on August 23, … -------------------------------------------------------, Photographer: Steve Lympany - RAF Brize Norton Photographic Section. UKMET/RAF WC-130 Snoopy Joins NOAA's Ark in Retirement. No. A fleet of 12 are operated from RAAF Base Richmond by No. The C-130J Hercules is a medium-sized tactical air-lifter which can deliver cargo to airfields with short unsurfaced runways, and airdrop cargo and paratroops by parachute. Unable to get a screenshot. Class 1 Driver - Hinckley - £150 sign up bonus. In the meantime the Marine Corps fleet C-130’s will take over ‘Berts’ duties as ‘Ernie’. 233480. The Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. 35 posts 1; 2; Next; chazzer Posts: 51 Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:33 pm. The C-130H-30 ( Hercules C.3 in RAF service) is a stretched version of the original Hercules, achieved by inserting a 100 in (2.54 m) plug aft of the cockpit and an 80 in (2.03 m) plug at the rear of the fuselage. RAF Hercules transport plane came within 200ft of smashing into drone that pilot thought was a bird while flying at 250mph. The C-130J fleet based at RAF Brize Norton is having a major upgrade to extend it's service into 2030. Tail painted to commemorate the 34 years service and retirement from RAAF service of the C-130H fleet 11/2012 One of the final two fliers, took part in retirement ceremony on 30/11/2012 RAAF C-130H fleet retired by 30/11/2012 On 31 st December 2020 the Royal Air Force marked the end of yet another chapter in the rich and diverse history of Number 38 Group with its disbandment.. Matt Siggins, Aircraft Project Manager for Marshalls told us: “It’s a 212 day programme per aircraft to replace the center wing so it’s a big job. The Lockheed Hercules C-130 with its unflattering nicknames such as 'Fat Albert' and 'Roman Nose' has proven to be one of the most remarkable aircraft in the RAF. Please post movements and activities to do with RAF Brize Norton here. RAF C-130J just declared an emergency (Squawk 7700) and dropped from 10,000ft to 1,800ft in the space of 60 seconds. Note: This file is available for reuse under the OGL (Open Government Licence), a link to which is published in the 'MOD copyright licensing information' document on the Ministry of Defence copyright licensing information page. The C-130K models were retired from service  in 2013 after almost 5 decades of service, accumulating many more flying hours than predicted during Operations Telic and Herrick alongside the newer C-130J models. The equivalent model for export to the UK is the C-130K, known by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as the Hercules C.1.The C-130H-30 (Hercules C.3 in RAF service) is a stretched version of the original Hercules, achieved by inserting a 100 in (2.54 m) plug aft of the cockpit and an 80 in (2.03 m) plug at the rear of the fuselage. Hercules Retirement. The Lockheed C-130K Hercules tactical transport aircraft, together with the C-130J variant, was the workhorse of the RAF’s Air Transport (AT) fleet and, until it's retirement on 29th … 38 Group has played a significant role in global operations from its origins in the 1940s to the 21st Century. The equivalent model for export to the UK is the C-130K, known by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as the Hercules C.1. It’s been fantastic to meet the crews who fly the Hercules from RAF Brize Norton and for them to get a chance to see what we do on this end.”. The RAF’s 19 Vickers VC10s are famous for having 4 engines – 2 mounted on each side of their rear fuselage. The example at RAF Museum Cosford was the last RAF C130K Mk.3 to be retired; the remaining RAF C-130K Hercules Mk.1 and Mk 3A aircraft, now based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire are due to remain in service until December 2012. The C-130 Hercules is the workhorse of the RAF transport fleet. The first C-130J Hercules to undergo a major upgrade to extend the life of the fleet has been delivered to Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group in Cambridge. A C130J Hercules aircraft. These aircraft have lasted 20 years and giving them this new lease of life is superb.”. Thales also maintained and upgraded simulators for the RAF’s VC-10 refuelling aircraft, and for its Lockheed Tristar tanker and transport fleet. Unlike the Tristars, the VC10s can also be refueled themselves, thanks to the installa… Posted by Tom Gibbons | Dec 4, 2013 | 0. The freight bay could accommodate a range of wheeled or tracked vehicles, or up to seven pallets of general freight. 622 Sqn; RAF; RAF Brize Norton; RAuxAF; Royal Auxiliary Air Force; STANEVAL Images: Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group Despite plans for its retirement, the Ministry of Defence announced an overhaul that will see the Hercules continue in front-line operations until 2035, making it the longest-serving aircraft in the RAF's history. Wing Commander Andy Johnson told Forces Radio BFBS: “It is the aircraft that’s always called on for a great number of tasks by defence and constantly delivers. The C-130J was due for retirement in 2022, however the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review saw a need for the life of the fleet to be extended and this programme will ensure Hercules continue to deliver on operations for the UK up until 2030. RAF Hercules makes final journey Transporting an RAF Hercules Motorists are being warned two large loads consisting of a Hercules C130 aircraft fuselage and its wings will be moving from Wiltshire to Staffordshire on Sunday. They are supplemented by 24 surviving C-130J C4/C5 aircraft, delivered from 1999 (one was destroyed in Iraq in 2007). Tornados will be retained and will continue to operate in Afghanistan Fifty years of supporting the RAF's C-130 fleet (2016-07-06) RAF celebrates more than 15 years of C-130J training (2015-04-27) C-130 Hercules news archive; Forum discussion: Start a discussion about this article in the C-130.net forum. The RAF fields both the short-bodied C-130J (designated C5 in RAF service) and long-bodied C-130J-30 (C4) variants of the Hercules. Sad as it is, at least this is a retirement - unlike poor old 304. In June 2012 there were four C1Ks still active alongside the single K4 and the four K3s.XV104 was retired a week after the 50th anniversary and XV106 and XV108 were flown to Bruntingthorpe in November 2012. . Tags. In RAF service, they were designated Hercules C.Mk1. Post by chazzer » Tue Oct 15, 2013 6:45 am Anyone have any information reguarding the retirement of the older C130 K`s . Aviation Feature – RAF C-130K Hercules in Storage. Under the new plans, only 10 of the 24-strong RAF C-130J fleet will be retired, which will happen during 2016 and 2017. Known to the RAF as Hercules C.Mk 1 (the C-130K designation only came into regular use as a differentiator after the C-130J entered service), the first aircraft completed its maiden flight on October 19, 1966. Following last month’s retirement of the Lockheed C-130K Hercules from RAF service, Global Aviation Resource visited MOD St Athan to view the Hercules aircraft stored within the Defence Support Group’s vast ‘Super Hangar’. This photo is one of a series, shown in this set, depicting the last ever departure of RAF C-130K Hercules aircraft (XV177 and XV214) from RAF Brize Norton, as they flew into retirement. The contract will focus on servicing the 24 RAF C-130J-type Hercules planes following the retirement … RAF Hercules Aircraft This photo is one of a series, shown in this set, depicting the last ever departure of RAF C-130K Hercules aircraft (XV177 and XV214) from RAF Brize Norton, as they flew into retirement. Joey for your information, the UK Met Office (Met Research Flight) ceased opperations of their C130K (Hercules W Mk2) (named Snoopy) on 31th March 2001. The Lockheed C-130K Hercules tactical transport aircraft, together with the C-130J variant, was the workhorse of the RAF’s Air Transport (AT) fleet and, until it's retirement on 29th October 2013, was based at RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, where it was operated by Nos. The type entered service in 1967, but defence cuts in 1975 saw 13 Hercules aircraft withdrawn and two squadrons disbanded. Company Limited by Guarantee. Images: Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, £15.00 to £21.00 Per Hour + £150 sign up bonus, £150 for referring friends, Paid Breaks, Will be used in accordance with our privacy policy, BFBS, Chalfont Grove, Narcot Lane, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9 8TN Following the Allied victory over the Central Powers in 1918, the RAF emerged as the largest air force in the world at the time. The Korean War showed that World War II-era piston-engine transports—Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars, Douglas C-47 Skytrains and Curtiss C-46 Commandos—were no longer adequate. Its true strength, however, lay in its superb ability to operate at the tactical 'intra-theatre' level. The end of 2010 saw the retirement of a long serving aircraft for the RAF as part of the restructuring of the armed forces under the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). Retirement. The C-130K C1 and C3 aircraft were used primarily to carry troops, passengers or freight and were capable of carrying up to 128 passengers, or 20 tonnes of palletised freight or vehicles, for up to 2000nmls. The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's aerial warfare force.It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918 and is the world's oldest independent national air force. It was selected for the UK's Joint Combat Aircraft requirement in 2001 and is expected to enter service with the Royal Navy and the RAF from around 2020, having … The Ministry of Defence has agreed a £369 million deal for the continued in-service support of the RAF Hercules C-130J fleet, securing around 1,200 UK jobs until 2022. 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