DC10FE

Wonder how long it'll be before it winds up again in some remote part of the air base rotting away in the African heat and humidity? When I was in Lagos in early 2000, the Nigerian AF had all but one of their C-130's parked in random places on the base with engines and flight controls missing.

Don R.

Yep, 25,000 hours on a T-56 is pretty amazing.

Bob, 62-1820 was a mere baby compared to a lot of commercial Hercs. Before it crashed, S9-BAT (msn 4134) was just a few hundred hours short of 100,000 hours. Actually, it most likely had a lot more than that the way Transfrik used to "cook the books" to save money by delaying C-checks.

Don R.

Bob, I know it's still pretty early out there in Texas, but it does have external tanks. The IFR pods have been removed.

I wonder if the IFR panel was also removed from over the FE's head. I hope so. Knowing the FE, he'd be playing with that panel and probably get himself in trouble.

Don R.

I remember the first desert camo I saw. It was in 1980 & I was living in the barracks at Rhein Main (marital problems). My room faced the flightline & I looked out the window & there was 63-9810 out there. Looked weird surrounded by all the jungle camo airplanes. (Note that I was living in the barracks -- not in a dorm.)

I also remember seeing my first jungle camo C-130. It was an A-model at Hickham in 1963 or 1964. We were on our way from Langley to Clark for a 90 day rote.

Don R.

Thanks, Bob. Although you made me feel old, at least some of mine are still flying. I can remember parking next to an old C-130B/E with my brand new H-model and the crews coming over to gawk at the APU & the new AC inlets.

Don R.

I picked up 74-2063 at the factory -- brand new. Even smelled like a new car.

Don R.

To add to Bob's mystery, the one at Harvey Point has no visible USAF markings on the wings or fuselage.

As for 57-0483 at the Cheatham Annex, I have a question or two. How did they get it from NAS Norfork to Cheatham? The nearest runway is about 2 miles north or did they move it by barge? Either way, how did they get it to where it's parked now? Lots of obstacles along the roads. According to Lars' book, it was used as a loading trainer at Norfork until it was moved in 1999. Going to NAS Norfork via Google Earth and using the Historical Imagery option, you can see an engineless C-130 there on 4/90, but it's gone by 3/94. Check out 36 56 08.70N 76 17 44.34W

Don R.

If I remember correctly, the jump platforms were stowed on racks in the ceiling by the troop doors.

Don R.

I remember the enlisted Navy pilot at Mildenhall. Did he fly the C-47 or the C-131 there. I thought it was the Convair.

Don R.

If I remember correctly, Delta Squadron was at Rhein Main.

Don R.

Magenta and International Orange are two totally different colors. Magenta is a violet-red.

P3,

What would you call the color in the photo above?

Don R.

I don't even know what "Magenta" Is!

More commonly known as international orange.

Don R.

Well, Chris, you just had to get a silver C-130 in the pic, didn't ya. Probably has a TAC patch on the tail, too.

Don R.

The first time I ever saw a C-130 in my life was my first day at Langley AFB, VA in 1963. Still in love with the ugly bird. And, yeah Chris, it was SILVER.

Don R.

Actually, Ken, if it ain't silver it ain't right!!!!!!

Amen to that, Chris!!!

Don R.

Got a few hours on that airplane when it was brand new at Dyess.

Don R.

I noticed in the first link that SU-BPK is improperly identified as an L-100-30.

Don R.

No Casey, it's we who should be thanking you.

Thank you.

Don R.

Here's an excerpt from an email I got from the ex-Gemini Air Cargo captain about the Guppy.

Don R.

"I flew the Boeing 377MG mini guppy with Aero Union for a bit and really enjoyed the a/c. It had 4360 engines and we could not get full hp out of it because we couldn't get 115/145 fuel. It ran really great and was a helluva lot of fun to fly. The engineer was pretty busy. When I first was flying the plane, (I was copilot) and we had the tail swung open, I asked who checked he control cables when it was put back together. The answer was "We all do".

I flew with a captain at Gemini Air Cargo who was an FO on the Guppy with the recips; 4360's if I'm not mistaken. He had some pretty neat stories.

Don R.

Back when I was going to tech school (1963), I was taught TMS -- C-130H = type, model, series.

Don R.

In reference to Bob's photo of 57-0460, does anyone know what the purpose of the PVC piping going into #3 & 4 engine inlets? I assume they're also going into #1 & 2. There is also what looks like air conditioning plumbing is going into both AC packs and the paratroop door window.

I think this was discussed a few years ago on this forum, but I don't remember. Damn, I say that phrase a lot lately!

Thanks,

Don R.

When I was ststioned at Clark AB, PI, on my very first trip in country, we made a few stops before arriving at Tan Son Nhut. On our first stop, after shutting down the engines and being the consencious 2-striper that I was, I put in the NLG down lock. This was back when that down lock was a big triangle-shaped wedge. The FE would stow it on the floor behind the AC's seat. While taxiing out, the FE was moving his foot around looking for the down lock. He then asked the AC stop the airplane and had me go out and remove it. After returning to the cockpit, he said something like, "Son, you'll never do that again, will you?" Could've been a really deserved ass-chewing, but he was nice about it.

Don R.

Casey,

My guess is 4590. I think that's the one they parked in the desert a few months ago.

Don R.

4th Generation Monkey Theory

Ernie,

Your analogy can also be used for another military habit. How many time have you been jumped on for walking through the static prop arc? A holdover from the days of the recip.

Don R.