Metalbasher

Tiny, when was this photo taken?

From the Robins Base newspaper today. http://www.robins.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-160617-001.pdf Doc1.pdf

I think there is a lot more than you would expect. Of the parts that should be/could be interchangeable, I think they (LMCO) tweaked them enough to put themselves in a position to capitalize on the supply chain. The other thing is that all the J model part numbers are just that, J model part numbers and do not interchange with Legacy part numbers. I know in USAF there are several things that Legacy can use off a J model but because the part number is different than specified in the Legacy books, a TAR/-107 must be processed. For example flight deck windows; Legacy has their windows that are different from J model windows. If need be, a J model window can be used on a Legacy if approved by engineering, however a Legacy window cannot be used in a J model.

There are definitely differences in parts which makes them difficult to procure since you can't use Legacy parts on Js and vice versa. For example, I know the J model elevators and rudder weights are slightly different than that of the Legacy so using them interchangeably is not an option. Of course it doesn't help when you don't buy the spare parts package and even then, you are competing with LMCO for same parts they need for their production acft to roll off the line with.

There was an article on here not long ago but couldn't find it now...thought it said one J model tail in FY 17 and the rest in FY 18. Did find this article...same one was in stars and stripes too http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/01/21/new-hercules-to-take-on-heavy-lifting-across-pacific-in-2017.html

The model and stories are pretty cool. If I remember correctly, the acft is pretty much still configured with all the structure in place, just no rockets.

They have been asking for at least 10 years...the acft is pretty far gone and not airworthy. The cost to move it anywhere is astronomical, hence the reason no one has taken it yet. The museum didn't see any significance in the acft (based on a conversation I had with Ken Emory), hence the push to remove it from their inventory. Yes it was modified for the very special Credible Sport project but it never flew a single mission, not even a test mission in this configuration so in their eyes, it was just another acft that had just been modified, nothing special. AFSOC looked into it but too costly to relocate. If too costly for them (and they are not that far from Robins) then too costly for anyone else to even consider taking on the effort.

Saw another article saying #11-5729 flying local at Eglin...

Bob, best of my knowledge and quick research, 74-2072 was acft that came into Robins and donated the forward fuselage (FS 245 forward) to 74-1665 or 74-1689 (forget which one was the receiver) but both acft went to Afghanistan. They put the old forward section of 74-1665/78-1689 on 74-2072 and it (74-2072) was then taken to the Robins Warrior Air Base Training Center for ABDR training etc.

In the Robins Base paper today. Appears to be 74-1668, going to the Warrior Air Base Training area where it will be used for ABDR. AFD-160331-043.pdf

Found a 2012 HOC presentation covering Winglets and Microvanes at http://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed/data/aero/documents/global-sustainment/product-support/2012HOC-Presentations/Wednesday/Wed%201600%20Fuel%20Efficiency%20Initiatives-Kyle%20Smith.pdf Claims the following for winglets in the presentation: - Fuel Efficiency Benefits -- Estimate 1-3% Fuel Savings - Increased Efficiency Requires Less Fuel for the Same Payload / Range Performance -- 21 Gallons/Hour Reduction for C-130J Long-Range Payload Logistics Mission - Increase Payload / Range Performance -- 4% Increase in Range for C-130J

Bob, it is real, I got confirmation yesterday from a LMCO source.

http://www.arcticwarrior.net/2016/03/04/static-display-c-130-hercules-heads-indoors-for-refurbishment/ According to this article, the C-130 located at Elmendorf was recently moved into a paint facility to be sanded and repainted. No tail # listed in the article. Only problem is they were not going back to the European 1 (light green, dark green, dark gray camo scheme) to the Equipment Excellence (gray). It's suppose to be finished and repositioned in April sometime.

Almost like they are ashamed of their history/lineage, although the "Equipment Excellence" is easier to paint and maintain.

So not all Hs were configured to carry pylons on the outboard wing stations? I thought they had the capability (hard points installed, wiring harnesses etc).

May or may not still have a DEW line but the HH-60s at Elmo got short legs with a lot of ground to cover so they will need refuel support.

From AFA Daily Report, 13 Jan Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., recently retired its last legacy HC-130 King search and rescue support aircraft, the unit announced. The unit's six heavily used HC-130P/N airframes were grounded last year due to corrosion and would have required an expensive and time-consuming depot-level overhaul to continue in service, AFRC leadership acknowledged. The aircraft will be back-filled by less-worn HC-130s made available by the ongoing recapitalization of the Active Duty fleet with new-build HC-130J Combat King IIs, according to a unit release. "We are excited about receiving our newer [slightly used] aircraft and making them a part of the family," said 920th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander Maj. Stephen Young. The last of Patrick's former fleet, serial number 65-00976, departed for the boneyard after several hours' delay to replace an engine on Sept. 9, 2015. The aircraft accumulated more than 16,000 flight hours before retiring to storage.

It's already gone. Last acft transferred in Nov.

Initially they went to the AFRC operational unit at LR but when the decision was made to deactivate the AFRC, I guess you could say that common sense came into play and they just moved them to the ANG ramp, where the ANG is the Legacy Training unit for USAF.

204 & 205 are at Little Rock in the 189th ANG now...the AFRC unit was deactivating when I was there in Nov 2015

Don't think so...I know last year I had the password and downloaded them to my computer and still required the password. Not saying it cannot be done but I'm not that computer savvy. LMCO just started locking them down in 2014...prior to that they were all open on the webpage. Even HOC attendees need the password but typically if you registered/attended, a notification was sent out a few weeks after letting you know presentations were posted and the password.

USAF has 24 H2.5s...LMCO #s 5242-5289 (not all inclusive). All were delivered between 91 and 92. Didn't have anything to do with flush toilet as those were implemented on USAF acft in 1983.

L-3 @ Waco does PDM on EC-130Hs. Robins and Hill do USAF PDM on C-130s while Tinker does perform Depot depaint and repaint on C-130s (primarily overflow from Hill/Robins). E-City does PDM for USCG although they sub out the depaint and repaint to commercial facilities. I believe Cherry Point does some PDM work for USN/USMC acft, I believe Hill is doing USMC and USN work as well. AMARG was doing PDM but stopped a few years ago. Kaiser (formerly PEMCO and Alabama Aircraft Company in AL) were doing some work but they went out of business a few years ago...not sure what is happening there now.

The Air Force Reserve has responded to allegations that the 440th Airlift Wing was being inactivated through attrition. The allegations arose earlier this month, after members of the unit said they felt they were being hidden ahead of Operation Toy Drop, a large airborne operation that's part multinational training exercise, part toy drive. Airmen and civilian officials close to them alleged the Air Force was discouraging members of the unit from speaking out against the 440th's pending inactivation and going behind Congress' back in making the unit unable to complete its mission to support Fort Bragg soldiers. The allegations led to at least two letters from elected leaders to Air Force commanders. In response, Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia said $52 million has been set aside to ensure the 440th Airlift Wing and its airmen are viable to the end of the fiscal year, when the unit is set to be inactivated. Officials also challenged allegations that airmen were being left behind, with many expected to go on the inactive Reserve, thus losing several benefits, without the unit. "The Air Force Reserve goes to great lengths to assist Reservists in their career decisions," officials said, citing a clearinghouse meant to find new jobs for 440th airmen. "Every effort is being made to assist our personnel in continuing their careers." The three-star command said the Air Force, including active, Reserve and Guard units, would be able to support Fort Bragg without the hometown unit, which has the only C-130s at the "Home of the Airborne." Officials did not provide a cost estimate for what it would take for outside units to fill in for the 440th Airlift Wing, instead saying that missions are "not based solely on cost." Outside units "need to fly those missions to maintain proficiency," officials said. But money does still have a role behind the inactivation. "Sequestration budgets required the Air Force to reduce spending by $20 billion, thus driving the decision to close the 440th Wing," officials said. Officials also confirmed that Lt. Gen. James "JJ" Jackson, the Chief of the Air Force Reserve, had to delay plans to visit Fort Bragg to speak with local leaders. Instead, the deputy chief of the Air Force Reserve will be on post this week, they said. Jackson "plans to make another trip as soon as his schedule permits," officials added. View original article at fayobserver.com View full article

Airman dies following training mission Kyle Daly, kjdaly@guampdn.com 11:55 p.m. ChST December 14, 2015 (Photo: US Air Force 374th Airlift Wing) A Japan-based U.S. airman died Sunday at Andersen Air Force Base, following a training mission, according to the military. The airman “was found unresponsive during post flight inspections,” an Air Force press release states. The cause of death is under investigation. The service member was from the 374th Airlift Wing based at Yokota Air Base in Japan. Yokota airmen were on island to take part in the annual Operation Christmas Drop, air dropping gifts to 56 of the region’s remote, hard-to-reach islands. In addition to the Yokota crew, Andersen airmen were joined by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force in the humanitarian aid and disaster relief training, which ended Monday. The military has yet to publicly release the service member’s identity. The military will withhold the identity until 24 hours after notification of next of kin.