Metalbasher

Thai's have that custom...been there, done that with my ex and her family. There are some half moon/semi circle shelter type structures on Kadena (going past the shoppette toward the backside of the base toward the par 3 golf course and base housing that is off base) that were reported to have been used as aircraft/drone shelters. There are placards in front of these structures stating the same. Rumor has it that in the thick jungle behind these structures is a huge deep ditch that supposably houses a crashed and burned B-17 or B-52...just a rumor as I could never find anything to confirm such information.

Museum's answer to the YMC-130 question: Our museum collections team debated for many months about bringing in C-130E 63-7868. We looked hard at what it would take to move and preserve the aircraft and balanced that against the fact that the E-models are retiring and 63-7868 has a terrific history. It has been well maintained, giving us much needed time before a new coat of paint will be required. Every museum has to make tough choices about what to preserve and that is why we have chosen to "turn-in" the Credible Sport aircraft to the National Museum of the USAF. Our resources are very limited, and we welcome volunteer and financial support to help preserve the museum's aircraft. As far as the Credible Sport program goes, the museum's C-130H, 74-1686, did little, really. It was modified to test a daring concept, but it never actually used the rocket system in flight (see Jerry L. Thigpen, The Praetorian Starship, pp. 245-246, available online). After Credible Sport was cancelled, 1686 was the testbed for the Talon II program but it never flew again as an airlifter. When it arrived at the museum in 1988, it was a stripped-out hulk, inside and out. C-130E 63-7868, on the other hand, is complete aircraft. It also flew tactical airlift in combat in Africa, all over Southeast Asia, and finally in Southwest Asia during a remarkable 47-year career. Their answer with regard to the AC-130: The museum is repainting the outside aircraft on a 5-year cycle. The AC-130 is scheduled for 2013. In the last few years, we have focused on painting smaller aircraft and moving them into our three hangars where they will be preserved out of the weather. Our restoration folks have done a great job with this work. This effort has meant holding off on painting many of our outside aircraft. We must do better, and we're working hard to catch up. We can always use help and we welcome volunteers from the base and the community who would like to work with our restoration crew. A representative from the Museum of Aviation Foundation will also happily talk to anyone who would like to make a financial donation to help preserve the aircraft. I don't buy this as I've been here 5 years and this acft hasn't been touched.

Resting Place for a Red Dragon Herk: A 47-year-old C-130E, one of the Air Force's oldest Hercules aircraft and the veteran of a harrowing rescue decades ago, landed for the last time at Robins AFB, Ga., for display at the adjacent Museum of Aviation. Aircraft # 63-7868 arrived at Robins on Tuesday, reported the Macon Telegraph. On Nov. 23, 1964, this aircraft was among the C-130s that participated in Operation Dragon Rouge to rescue 2,000 western hostages held by rebels in Stanleyville in the former Republic of the Congo. Damaged by rebel fire departing Stanleyville, aircraft # 63-7868 continued 800 miles on three engines, delivering its passengers to safety and earning its crew the MacKay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of that year. Previously assigned to the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock AFB, Ark., this C-130E is the museum's second Hercules variant, joining an AC-130 gunship already on display. (See also Museum of Aviation release)

I used to work for Ken Emory and I contacted him about this acft about 3 months ago. He told me that since it was only modified for the mission but never actually flew or did the training with the rockets etc, that it had no historical significance. Due to the size and resource constraints at the MOA, he had contacted the AF Museum and told them it was up for grabs...any other museum that wanted it could have it as the MOA at Robins did not want it. What a shame, the best place in the world to accomplish a first class restoration to such an aircraft and they can't do it!

Those are the "super E's".

There is an AF Instruction out there for static displays, AFI 84-103, The Air Force Heritage Program. It has tons of info regarding static displays. I got a copy but not sure how to upload it. Sam The Museum's modified aircraft is up for grabs...the museum director has contacted Wright Patt and told them he doesn't want it anymore...he doesn't have the facilities required to properly put it on display. Several other aircraft are also up for grabs for the same reason. Thing that bothers me is the condition of the both that particular aircraft and the AC-130 are in piss-poor pitiful condition all while they reside at a museum that is adjacent to the C-130 depot facilities. No one else has better facilities to at least sand and repaint or for that matter strip and repaint these aircraft and restore to at least halfway presentable condition as they are both in public viewing areas.

As a sheet metal guy, god knows I replaced too many camlocks to count over the years. I too have asked this same question and have never seen a reference. Was always told none missing on the leading edge, panel corners and no more than two-three in a row. I do know there are aircraft out there (F-16 and others) that provide panel diagrams in the books and specifically show on the diagrams which holes must be filled.

You might try reaching out to the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB, they have a big selection of C-130 parts/components in their back yard/parts area that are not being used, to include outer wings etc. They might be willing to part with some of these parts as they already have a few Herks on display and the remaining Herks they have are up for grabs by other organizations/museums. (478) 926-6870, talk to Col (ret) Ken Emery.

The F-16s, aka Coral Phoenix acft are out at Edwards...been out there since the deal went south. We've been flying them as flight test/chase planes...all had the orange/white paint schemes.

Av-Dec materials and low-tack sealant should be all that is authorized. No more skyflex (junk) authorized!

TO 1-1-8, Application and Removal of Organic Coatings for Aerospace and Non-Aerospace Equipment TO 1-1-691, Cleaning and Corrosion Prevention and Control for Aerospace and Non-Aerospace Equipment (This TO was formerly a Joint TO with Navy...TM509 and was split out as USAF TO 10-15 years ago) 1-1-689 Vols 1 & 3 but pertain to avionics/electronics Vol 1 CLEANING AND CORROSION CONTROL Vol 3 CLEANING AND CORROSION CONTROL All these are general series TOs and are applicable to any and all weapons systems in lieu of weapons system specific guidance, i.e. 1C-130A-23. Even still you can look in the -23 and it will reference all these books. Prior to these books, TO 1-1-4 was out there but mainly for stencils and markings. Don't recall when 1-1-2 was recinded.

AC-Tech makes a quick cure sealant. Not exactly sure of the cure times but it is faster than the PPG material. If you are interested in a poc, email me at spward@cox.net and I can put you in touch with someone.

A friend was doing some research on all USAF fixed-wing losses in Viet Nam...I cut it down as applicable for this forum but the original list contained all aircraft MDSs USAF fixed-wing losses in Viet Nam AC-47 Spooky-- --19 total, 12 in combat -First loss 1965, final loss 1969 AC-119 Shadow/Stinger-- --6 total, 2 in combat -First loss AC-119G 52-5907 (Det.1, 17th SOS, 14th SOW) which crashed on take-off from Tan Son Nhut, SVN on 11 October 1969 killing 6 of the 10 crewmen.-Final loss 1971 AC-130 Spectre-- --6 total, all combat. -First loss AC-130A 54-1629 (16th SOS, 8th TFW) hit by 37mm AAA over Laos and crash-landed at Ubon RTAFB, 2 crewmen died (one died of injuries before reaching Ubon) but 11 others survived.-Final loss 1972 C-130 Hercules-- --55 total, 34 in combat -First loss was C-130A 57-0475 (817th Troop Carrier Squadron, 6315th Operations Group) on 24 April 1965, a Blind Bat flareship that crashed into high ground near Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, attempting to land in bad weather with a heavy load, two engine failures, and low fuel, killing all six crewmen. This was the 14th recorded loss of a C-130 to all causes.- Final loss C-130E 72-1297 (314th TAW) destroyed by rocket fire at Tan Son Nhut AB on 28 April 1975.

There should be a table in the back of the -3 or maybe its in the back of the IPB. Those are Lockheed part numbers for the various pieces of extrusion the Lockheed used. Some are standard configuration with Lockheed numbers and will cross over to other part numbers but others are specific to Lockheed. When you find the table in the TO, it will show a a front view and side view and provide the respective measurements, material and temper. In some cases, a good machine shop can start out with one piece of extrusion and turn it into another. Hope that helps.

I have video of the semi prepared runway operations done by Boeing for the C-17. They looked at muddy condition, hard pack and semi soft/sanding. The testing was pretty thorough to say the least but it showed that it was capable to do it, but extremely messy and detrimental to all the antennas on the belly as well as the 300M steel landing gear components and composite landing gear doors. They said during the landing on muddy surfaces, that the aircraft actually gained approx 600 lbs from mud kicked up in the wheels and caked on components. Interesting to see one of the landings during the muddy conditions that the C-17 actually did some fish tails in the sloppy conditions (probably pretty damn scary).

Not sure but I found this...appears they didn't but this could be old. Either way, with or without...I wouldn't want to mess with this acft

This is the one I was looking for. Thanks

I'd suspect that the availability of JATO bottles comes into play. Very few in supply now and the few that are left are very unstable, given the contents, age etc...no one is making more, hence the reason the Blue Angel's Fat Albert doesn't do a JATO show anymore. At least that is what I read in a magazine article not long ago.

Does anyone have an electronic version of the maintenance man image that goes with this poem that they could send me? Need it for a retirement program. Thanks Scott Remembering the Forgotten Mechanic Through the history of world aviation many names have come to the fore Great deeds of the past in our memory will last, as they're joined by more and more. When man first started his labor in his quest to conquer the sky he was designer, mechanic and pilot and he built a machine that would fly but somehow the order got twisted, and then in the public's eye the only man that could be seen was the man who knew how to fly The pilot was everyone's hero, he was brave, he was bold, he was grand, as he stood by his battered old biplane with his goggles and helmet in hand. To be sure, these pilots all earned it, to fly you have to have guts. And they blazed their names in the hall of fame on wings with bailing wire struts. But for each of these flying heroes there were thousands of little renown, and these were the men who worked on the planes but kept their feet on the ground. We all know the name of Lindbergh, and we've read of his flight of fame. But think, if you can, of his maintenance man, can you remember his name? And think o four wartime heroes, Gabreski, Jabara, and Scott. Can you tell me the names of their crew chief? A thousand to one you cannot. Now pilots are highly trained people, and wings are not easily won. But without the work of the maintenance man, our pilots would march with a gun. So when you see mighty jet aircraft as they mark their way through the air, the greased stained man with a wrench in his hand is the man that put them there. Anonymous

The Road to the New Rescue Tanker: Air Force officials took delivery of the service's first new-build HC-130J rescue tanker from Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Ga., early last month, but this platform will not enter operational service for another two years. The aircraft will remain in Marietta undergoing developmental test until October 2011, SSgt Robin Stanchak, spokeswoman for the 23rd Wing at Moody AFB, Ga., told the Daily Report. After that, it will transfer to Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., for use in operational testing and in training crew members from the base's 79th Rescue Squadron as the unit prepares for the transition from the HC-130 to the HC-130J, she said. Finally, in December 2012, the Air Force expects to deliver this HC-130J, along with two others, to the 79th RQS. The unit will then begin initial operations with the HC-130Js and be ready for deployments, said Stanchak. The Air Force is acquiring a total of 37 HC-130Js as well as 37 brand new MC-130J special-mission aircraft under an $8.7 billion recapitalization program that runs from Fiscal 2008 through Fiscal 2019. The HC-130Js are replacing Air Combat Command's HC-130s.

MC-130 Navigator Reaches 5,000 Flight Hours: Lt. Col. Robert Starnes, a navigator with the 15th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., has eclipsed 5,000 total flight hours in the MC-130H Combat Talon II, establishing a new record for the aircraft type. "I set this goal 10 years ago and it finally came to fruition with the help of men and women of the 15th SOS," said Starnes after his record-setting flight on Sept. 27. He added, "I feel a sense of accomplishment." Starnes' most poignant memory is flying aid to victims in Thailand and Indonesia, following the devastating tsunami in 2004. "Helping people in disasters will always be a memory I cherish," he reflected. After 23 years of flying, Starnes is due to retire in December. (Hurlburt report by SSgt. Sarah Martinez.)

I spoke to Ken Emery (runs the museum) about possibly refurbishing this old girl and the AC-130A so they are presentable to the public. He said that they (museum) had identified it (the Credible Sport aircraft) as excess and notified the USAF Museum at Wright Patt that it is up for grabs in the event another base etc wants it. I inquired a little more...he said they do not have the facilities for it etc, but I explained that if WR-ALC doesn't have the facilities to do the work etc, who else would. He was more concerned with a permanent hangar to display it in vs. sitting outside. Really sad to see all the aircraft in the shape they are in on "display". I know the middle GA summers take their toll on the coatings etc, but other museums, i.e. Edwards AFB etc manage to display them in pretty good fashion and they do not have the world class facilities that WR-ALC has. LOCKHEED YMC-130H "HERCULES" "CREDIBLE SPORT" Lockheed YMC-130H "Hercules" "Credible Sport"The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the intratheater portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for paradropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. Basic and specialized versions perform a diversity of roles, including airlift support, DEW Line and Arctic ice resupply, aeromedical missions, aerial spray missions, fire-fighting duties for the US Forest Service, and disaster relief missions. Warner Robins Air Logistics Center provides worldwide support to all C-130s in the USAF fleet and to many foreign nations flying the Hercules as well. The aircraft on display was delivered to the USAF in June 1976. In 1981 it was one of three C-130H aircraft that were specially modified for use in a possible rescue attempt of the Americans held hostage in Iran in 1981. Code named “Credible Sport,†the stock C-130H aircraft had highly modified flight control, flap system and airframe components allowed the installation of various rocket systems for short take off and landing (STOL) capabilities unique to the rescue operation. Although never actually used, one of the aircraft was destroyed during testing, the second was demodified and returned to service, and the third, this one on display, was retired to the Museum in 1987.

The condition in that particular photo makes the acft look very good...it looks horrible now and is a disgrace to the museum in it's current condition, especially since it is located at WR-ALC, the home to c-130 Depot. Not sure what the future holds for it but maybe an onrush of complaints to the museum from the webpage might encourage them to expedite the refurbishment of this historic aircraft. Can also contact Col (ret) Ken Emery, the curator.

Boeing: Boeing Team Delivers C-130H Aerial Refueling Tanker to Japan GIFU, Japan, April 20, 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and partners Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) and Cobham Mission Systems today announced that they have delivered a C-130H aerial refueling tanker to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The JASDF took delivery in late February at KHI Gifu Works after the aircraft completed modification and acceptance for testing at the KHI facility in Gifu. KHI modified the C-130H, originally designed as a transport aircraft, to incorporate Cobham air-to-air refueling pods and Boeing design modifications affecting the structure, wiring and fuel system. The tanker currently provides aerial refueling for the UH-60J, a search and rescue helicopter. It now will move into operational testing with the JASDF. "The Boeing Company has more than 80 years of experience in aerial refueling, and each member of our team feels great pride carrying on that tradition for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force," said Ken Hill, Boeing director of Special Operations Programs. "To work with people who have such dedication and commitment is an honor." A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

No profile shots by chance do you?