DC10FE

One time, we were off-loading cargo in Malange, Angola when the UNITA rebels began mortaring the airport. We started #2 first so we would have steering & brakes to taxi out while starting the remaining engines. Fun times over there. Don R.

It's been a very long time, but if I remember correctly, dumping down to the standpipes will leave you with almost 8,000 lbs of fuel. They must've been quite a distance from Hill to land with "bingo fuel." Don R.

As usual, the media did not get all the facts. It's the 153rd AW, not ARW. Also, from looking at the photo, the fire department did not "put down foam in anticipation of the landing." Don R.

I read the bokk a few years ago. Don't kow where I heard this, but I heard he got some flack for naming real names when he wrote about his fun times in Angeles City. Brought back good memories, though. Don R.

I have an old MAC manual MM 66-4 dated 17 November 1963 titled Aircraft markings and Insignia. I don't know if AMC still publishes that manual. It's pretty neat, though, covering all MAC airplanes from the C/HC-54 to the HU-16. Don R.

I agree with Railrunner. The entire article is BS. It's just a photo of an ABCCC bird taken from above. Many times when I go on Google Earth, I'll initially be fooled into thinking an airplane at some airport is a Herc, when it's actually an An-12. Their wings are have a slight swept back leading edge and a straight trailing edge. Don R.

I had read previously about an operator looking into a commercial version of the J-model, but I thought it would be someone like FedEx or UPS. Don R.

The rear portion is most likely an H-model with the APU rather than a GTC. Don R.

According to Bob's latest production list, it was broken up at LRF. No date. Don R.

I've posted this link before. Try www.aerotecdata.com or email at [email protected]. They have flight manuals from the C-47 to the XB-70. A bit pricey, but I bought the KC-10 flight manual because my commercial DC-10 flight manual was written for idiots. They also have engine manuals. Don R.

Yep, they are good looking. I can't remember the name of the APU mod (starts with a "K?"), but it's the same as the one the Belgians and some other militaries did to their C-130's. Don R.

I must agree with Dutch. Casey's prints are exceptional. I have 3 of them on the wall in my office. I think they would be great as a presentation at a retirement ceremony. Don R.

Not only is my memory going, but so is my eyesight. That A-model pamphlet I posted earlier does say 124,200 lbs. Don R.

I agree with Larry. It's disappointing when a new member puts nothing in their profile for 2 reasons. One, because I'm a nosy old fart and two, because when I reply to a comment, I like to know the C-130 knowledge level of the person I'm responding to. Oh, and welcome aboard, Dick. Don R.

Frank, This is from an old Lockheed pamphlet that came out about the brand new A-model. It has 124,000 pounds. Don R.

Jim, I'll scan & email you the articles I have, but right now, it's too nice outside to be sittig in front of this computer. Don R.

Jim, just checked out your web site with the old articles. I guess I'm a hoarder, too. Is there a way I can add some more articles? If not, PM me your email address and I can send them to you. Don R.

Read the book this past weekend. With very few exceptions, that could've been a biography of my first 4 years in the USAF. The class photo on the wing of the B-47 at Amarillo AFB is identical to my class photo. I had to get a magnifying glass to verify that the faces were different. Great book -- just too short. Don R.

Lars is in his 80's, so I doubt he's still publishing the book. I suggest you try Amazon.com. They probably don't have his latest, but they might have an older version. Don R.

Garrett, I haven't been in touch with Fred for a few years. I flew with Bill Reid when he was a C-130 co-pilot at Dyess AFB, TX. Nice guy. If you go to the gallery, check out msn 4101. There are photos taken by Hank Bathey (the TA VP of Operations) a week or so after the incident. Bill was killed when the UNITA rebels fired into the open ramp and door. The captain was a German named Gerhard Von Opel. They had been instructed not to land unless there was contact with the ground. They never made contact, but Von Opel elected to land anyway. The crew was captured and forced to walk 600 miles to the UNITA base in Jamba. They arrived 2 1/2 months later. There's an article about it in the December 2007 issue of Airways magazine. Don R.

Garrett, Fred lives in the MIA area now. He married a woman from Botswana. A few years ago, he had an operation to remove some cancer from hi lungs, but they've returned and he's been on chemo for the last few months. Knowing Fred, though, he's probably still smoking. I think he only lit one cigarette a day from a lighter -- all the rest were off of his previous cigarette. Luckily, when I flew with him, I was a smoker, too. Don R.

John, I think Bob was just referring to commercial operators, not military. Don R. PS. Did you get to Pancho's in Dubai? Neat place.

Sorry for the double post -- my computer has a mind of its own at times. Don R.

Bob, Wow, that's not many out of the original 118 built. A friend of mine in the Philippines told me that all of Transafrik's Hercs are not working and are parked in Entebbe. Knowing how Africa is, they'll probably still be there detiorating away 10 years from now. I was also told that Ethiopian Airlines' -30's have been parked for quite a while at Addis Ababa. Don R.

Casey, The first link shows a photo of 5225 and the year built and the total time when sold is correct. No date on the posting, but Lynden Air Cargo bought it from DERCO a few years ago and it's now registered in Papua New Guinie as P2-LAE(?). Perhaps it's an old posting? The second link is strange. It says it was built in 1989 with a total time of 543 hours. Really? The registration is odd, too as is the very low asking price of $1.2 million. Don R.