DC10FE

I agree with Bob. Sort of like the C-130A-II's at Rhein Main. I remember seeing a fuel truck "servicing those tanks." Don R.

Very funny. There's a lot more truth there that a non-crew chief would see. Spent 10 years as a crew chief before cross training to FE. Don R.

Here are a couple more photos of 3946. They were taken before the saws were cranked up. Don R.

You're correct, P3. From what I've read though, this airframe started out early in its production as an E-model. Along the way, it picked up the differences associated with the L-100, such as the engine anti-icing lights and the Beta lights which I'm sure were an FAA certification requirement. Also interesting to note, on the commercial Herc, the only thing on the battery bus is the fire extinguishing system. Don R.

I flew with a captain in Angola named Bonzo Von Haven who told me he flew as a copilot on the first YC-130. He told me that that airplane had the Curtiss Electric props and, interestingly, that the throttles were located on the overhead panel like the Caribou. I've never seen any photos of the cockpit of that airplane so I can't prove whether it's true or not. Interesting, though. BTW, he was also a pilot on gliders in WWII. Don R.

According to my friend, it had less than 13,000 hours. Don't know about the corrosion, though. Sitting at Mactan AB all those years may have taken its toll. Don R.

Sadly, this month the Philippine AF has broken up 3946, the first L-100 produced. It had immense historical value for us in the Herc community. Its first fligh on 4/20/64 lasted more than 24 hours! It's too bad Lockheed didn't take any steps to preserve it. It would've looked nice sitting in front of the hangar where it was built, painted in the red and white Lockheed demonstrator colors. You can check it out in the C-130 Database section. Below are some photos from my friend, Joseph Simon. Some of you ex-Transafrik people may remember his as a Filipino mechanic in Luanda. Don R.

If you check 5509c in the gallery, it appears that the USMC J-models do not have JATO racks. In fact, I did a random check of a lot of international J-model photos and I'd bet that there are none equipped for JATO. I read a few years ago that the JATO bottles were not even being produced anymore. I read it on the Internet, so it's gotta be true. An interesting sidenote -- Mexicana Airlines had 3 or 4 Boeing 727's equipped with JATO mount points. Don R.

I think the FY 1974 H-models we had at Dyess AFB were the first USAF ones to come from the factory without the JATO attachments. Been a long time -- that's why I prefaced this post with "I think." Don R.

I think Mr. Channel would be better off looking at a commercial Herc. Lots of operators are parking theirs because of the worldwide economic environment. Like Bob said, buying one from AMARG would be next to impossible. Don R.

A friend sent me this. I have it on a cassette tape, but this video has some great shots of Cam Ranh Bay. Very funny. I also have an interview with a College Eye pilot talking about his Connie. Caution: contains profanity. Click here: ? Cam Ranh Bay: What the Captain Means - YouTube Don R.

Where was Larry McDonald based? Just like one of my favorite phrases -- Offense makes touchdowns; defense wins games. Don R.

With all the govenment cut backs and sequestrations, I think a young first-termer should think twice about getting out. Nowadays, I'm pretty sure there's no going back. My girlfriebnd's son is in the Army as a firefighter at Pope AAF and is coming up on that decision. He knows my thoughts on that subject. Don R.

Good list, Bob. You, like myself, are living proof that retirement leaves one with a lot of time on one's hands. Just sayin" Don R.

Ken & others, I guess I should consider myself pretty lucky after hearing your stories. I got out in 1967 after my first 4 years; where I was stationed at Langley and Clark on B-models. I was hired by Eastern Airlines working on Electras and Connies at Logan airport in Boston. After about 6 months, I decided I was putting up with the same BS as I was in the USAF. Me and a buddy of mine went to the local USAF recruiter and never looked back. Wound up with some of the neatest assignments in the world. Well, except for K. I. Sawyer in Michigan. Best decision I ever made! Don R.

Casey, Don't know about the service ceiling, but that fact sheet also has the B-model fittied with 4 x T56A-15 engines. Maybe they were modified, but back in my day, they had -7 motors. Don R.

Thomas, I realize you're building a J-model simulator, but on the legacy C-130's, there is a detent at the 50% flap position. Also, I don't remember the handle being that far aft. It was just behind the autopilot controls. As for the "cursor device," like GVS, I haven't a clue. Don R.

Dipping the tanks on a B-52 in December at K. I. Sawyer AFB, MI in a blizzard. Of course, I've spent some cold times at Bodo, too. Isn't that above the Arctic Circle? Don R.

This is for all you gunship guys out there. Don R.

Thanks, Larry. Perhaps that main gate story was just another urban legend. Freddies? Was that the German gasthaus in Buschlag on the right just across the railroad tracks? I seem to remember it being called Johnnie's. A really popular place for GI's owned by a little dark haired, wise-assed Austrian (I think). Don R.

Laurent, When I was stationed at Rhein Main the first time (1967/1970), I was told that the main gate there was originally to be erected at Evereaux, but since France had pulled out of NATO, it went to RM instead. Do you know anything about that story? Don R.

Back in 8/06, someone sent me some photos of a model they made. They've been on my hard drive ever since. Haven't a clue who sent them, but it looks like a lot of work went into it. Don R.

I copied this from the latest Amrtican Legion Magazine. Interesting to note that there are no C-130's or C-17's of the 9 aircraft listed, yet the 1960's era B-52 is on the list. Don R.

Larry, 285 were built according to a C-141 web site. The C-141 was an amazing airplane -- too bad most of the crews considered themselves prima donas; well, until the C-5 came along. Here's the web site. Trying to emulate Casey, but not even coming close. Click here: C141HEAVEN - All there is to know, and lots more, about the Lockheed C141 Starlifter! Don R.

Thanks, Frank, Well, so much for my memory. I can remember drinking a warm, sour tasting beer in there, but I can't remember getting laid! I do remember a "lady" there named Artiem. Everyone called her RTM. I won't go into what the letters stood for. Don R.