Metalbasher

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 [email protected] 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?

I agree whole heartedly, but the problem is that the Govt never plans for updating prints after they start recieving the aircraft. It's has happened with all the weapon systems now...C-5, C-130 and C-141...I know I have addressed several things that should have been updated on the prints and the answer is always the same...no money to do that. Doesn't help that Mother Lockheed wants and arm and a leg to do the task either.

Phenolic stock is getting harder to come by, given it's composition and being a known carconigen. In the past we've made clamp blocks out of nylon or teflon...local machine shops have ample supplies of this stock on hand.

For what's its worth, I'm not sure if the old fabric patches and contact cement option is even in the TO anymore. I know when we made the changes, we updated the -23 and the IPB...not sure about JGs...

For what's its worth, I'm not sure if the old fabric patches and contact cement option is even in the TO anymore. I know when we made the changes, we updated the -23 and the IPB...not sure about JGs...

You don't use either of these anymore. We changed the TO about 2 years ago to reflect new 3M precut tape patches. They are made from the same material that 3Ms Leading Edge tape is made from, so they are self adhesive and pre cut to allow for the proper overlap. They can be ordered in kits or individually for each location and are NSN listed.

It is still an issue but no where near the extent that it was in the day. Now the depot removes that skin panel FS 737-800 completely, removes all the paint, inspects, and then reassembles everything liberally using sprayable sealant and a gloss topcoat of paint (btoh as additional barriers to mitigate the corrosion). I kno wit doesn't sound like much but I can tell you that the normal corrosion issues I saw in the mid-late 80s are now rare to see as a result of new materials and processes. Given the circumstances surrounding this (directly below the urinal and mis-directed urine etc), I'm not sure that you will ever see an aircraft that has the gravitational drain type urinals without some corrosion...chalk it up as piss-poor design flaw.

Operation Christmas Drop is under way once again

by Senior Airman Shane Dunaway

36th Wing Public Affairs

12/18/2009 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) -- More than 12 months of preparation have gone into ensuring this year's four-day air drop mission, known as Operation Christmas Drop, goes smoothly, with countless fundraisers and many drop-off points made available to those wishing to donate supplies and help support Guam's island neighbors in the Marianas, Carolines, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands and the Federal States of Micronesia.

Operation Christmas Drop's mission officially kicked off with a Push Ceremony held Dec. 15. Members of the Andersen family and representatives from the local community were on hand to assist in loading boxes onto a C-130 Hercules, in essence preparing the first sortie's load of donations for delivery.

"For most of us, Christmas falls on a specific day on our calendar, but this year, on 51 islands, Christmas will begin as it has for over half a century, when you, the (U.S.) Air Force, show up carrying Santa in the sky," said Bill Hagen, long-time volunteer and supporter of Operation Christmas Drop.

This is the 58th consecutive year that Operation Christmas Drop missions will fly, making it the longest-running airdrop mission in the history of the Air Force. The concept of Operation Christmas Drop began in 1952 when locals on the island of Kapingamarangi waved to the crew of a WB-50 flying overhead. In the spirit of the holiday season, the crew gathered what they could, packed it into a canister, attached a parachute and dropped it to the islanders.

"Islanders affected by the drops like to say that their holiday season doesn't begin until they receive their visit from the U.S. Air Force," said Capt. George Bell, 734th Air Mobility Squadron. "Each drop is certainly a group effort with volunteers and donations coming from across Guam to be packaged and built by members of Andersen AFB and Navy and then dropped by C-130 crews from Yokota (Air Base, Japan). Even though the number of drops this year will not break last year's record, the amount of donations and volunteer hours grow every year."

Throughout the year, volunteers from organizations island-wide step up to the plate and donate, ensuring the people on neighboring islands experience a wonderful holiday.

Long before the C-130s soar into the sky to execute Operation Christmas Drop, Airmen and volunteers come together for several packing sessions to prepare each box to be dropped. This year the packs took place on Nov. 21 and Dec. 5 with more than 100 Airmen, civilians, contractors and other volunteers helping out.

During the four days of Operation Christmas Drop, C-130s will fly 12 sorties, offloading more than 12 tons of cargo to people on at least 51 islands covering a geographic area more than 1.8 million square miles.

"I am proud to be a part of the 58th year of Christmas drops," said Capt. Ryan Finlayson, 36th Airlift Squadron. "Christmas drops have been going on since 1952, which was well before I was born. I hope it continues long after I'm gone. I am honored to carry on such a long-lasting tradition."

Operation Christmas Drop is a non-profit operation sponsored by volunteers from Andersen and the local community. To date more than 800,000 pounds of goods have been dropped throughout the islands since Operation Christmas Drop inception.

"The greatest thing about Operation Christmas Drop is how easily it affects lives for the better," Captain Bell said. "It's great that we can exercise our global reach and help almost 35,000 people throughout the Pacific every year."

Just remember to check the distribution codes on the cover prior to providiing the info. OPSEC!

My comments echo Dave's. Happy Veteran's Day to all past and present.

Have you thanked a Veteran today? Please make it a point to do; it’s the least you can do for them, their families and their sacrifices.

The ABDR manual does provide several alternative fixes for various things, i.e. leaks holes etc. I remember we actually added procedure during Just Cause. Most of our a/c from Pope came back with AK-47 round damage, anyway we had one that wing into the wing and the foam acted as advertised and slowed the velocity down enough to keep it from penatrating the access panel. Rather than go "in tank" to do the permanent repair, we used a 1/2" drywall molly-bolt cover in "O-Tab" Fuel Cell Putty (aka pig putty) to plug the hole and then covered with the fastener head with sealant (layers of the stuff). Held for several missions with no leaks until we had the time to do the permanent repair. Got to admit, didn't sound like it would work but worked like a champ...someone submitted the AFTO 22 for incorporation in to the TO.

Well, I'd say just go with the flow but since Survival Equipment (old parachute shop, raft shop and sewing shop) combined AFSCs with Life Support that organic capability of being able to maintain those type things has all gone to contractors. I think most Survival Shops have turned in the equipment, so they simply don't have the capability anymore. Some may still have the equipment in the AOR...might be more of a HABU (hook a brother up) type quick fix.

Scott