RAF C130 retirement tour 14-06-23

[Rick]

https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/a- ... f-service/

[capercaillie]

Weird not including RAF Fairford considering 47 Squadron reformed there on the Hercules in 1968?

Its hardly out the way from Lyneham/Wootoon Bassett/Brize?

[CJS]

Weird not including RAF Fairford considering 47 Squadron reformed there on the Hercules in 1968?

Its hardly out the way from Lyneham/Wootoon Bassett/Brize?

Too busy operationally perhaps? Maybe they don't want spotters heading that way.

[DaveM]

Has anyone seen a NOTAM waypoint route published for this yet?

[FGR2]

This has been posted on FC.

Hope this helps.

https://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/ ... 9&start=40

[Comet102]

Passed to the east of Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, on the way to the NMA at about 1010. Only at 600ft. Saw two of them between houses.

[psquiddy]

Disappointing at Seaford Head - they came into view past Beachy Head and headed straight out to sea.

[Pen Pusher]

Daily mail running an article on the tour illustrated with images of a USAF Hercules.

[capercaillie]

Their timings have been excellent throughout, bit disappointed they didn't mention Shobdon in the original plans as I'd have popped along, although the video shows they were quite high over there.

Are they trying to sneak Fairford in as well?

[broadstairs]

Despite all the maps showing they would not be anywhere near Broadstairs they flew round the coast past here and on to Dover and Capel-le-Ferne and the Battle of Britain Memorial. Saw them from the beach here at Broadstairs.

Stuart

[capercaillie]

And landed at Fairford. Are all three still together as its only showing Omen1 on FR24 for me at present?

First arrival for RIAT.

[LN Strike Eagle]

And landed at Fairford. Are all three still together as its only showing Omen1 on FR24 for me at present?

First arrival for RIAT.

Reports on FC that the runway at Brize is "too sticky" to land on.

[capercaillie]

You couldn't make it up, but then again Fairford as 47 Sqn Hercs original home should have always been part of the tour. Funny how things come around.

Brize seriously need to sort their runway issue, 28/29 degrees and sticky issues. Tut tut.

[CJS]

You couldn't make it up, but then again Fairford as 47 Sqn Hercs original home should have always been part of the tour. Funny how things come around.

Brize seriously need to sort their runway issue, 28/29 degrees and sticky issues. Tut tut.

What the heck is it made from? Flumps?

[FGR2]

I went up to Wivenhoe, but they went a lot further south. Maybe catch them at the Kings Birthday Flypast this weekend.

It does seem ridiculous that our only transport and air refuelling base is put out of action by some hot weather. It happened last year didn’t it, so you have to wonder why they haven’t done anything about it yet?

[FarnboroJohn]

Given the Herc's rough field performance is there really no length of grass at Brize they could get into? And if not why not?

John

[CJS]

Given the Herc's rough field performance is there really no length of grass at Brize they could get into? And if not why not?

John

I would guess (it's no more than that) that an airfield with ATC and all the officialdom that surrounds that would have to have a 'proper' grass runway. Obviously the C130 can land pretty much anywhere (other than at Brize on a slightly hot day apparently) but if BN doesn't have a pre-prepared grass strip, and there's an alternative landing site close by I suppose that will always be preferable.

[FarnboroJohn]

Given the Herc's rough field performance is there really no length of grass at Brize they could get into? And if not why not?

John

I would guess (it's no more than that) that an airfield with ATC and all the officialdom that surrounds that would have to have a 'proper' grass runway. Obviously the C130 can land pretty much anywhere (other than at Brize on a slightly hot day apparently) but if BN doesn't have a pre-prepared grass strip, and there's an alternative landing site close by I suppose that will always be preferable.

Maybe they should have one.... also I think it would have been a nice final underlining of the capability we are disposing of.

[GeeRam]

It does seem ridiculous that our only transport and air refuelling base is put out of action by some hot weather. It happened last year didn’t it, so you have to wonder why they haven’t done anything about it yet?

And that's not the only issue with Brize's geographical location that can induce a Black runway situation.....

All part of the utter stupidity of putting all of your egg's in one basket since the decision to close Lyneham.