DC10FE

but I didn't know Hercs had chem toilets!

Actually, George, the newer H-models, I believe, have a chemical toilet. The -30 I flew in Angola had one, but we closed it off because the pax would fill it to overflowing every time.

Don R.

I've received that email a couple of times -- really neat!!!

Wonder why they diverted to LGA?

Don R.

4681 does not have the Rosemount pitot system.

You're correct, Casey. I guess in my old age, I got things mixed up. I was thinking of my Frameair Herc, PJ-TAC (5225).

Don R.

Pretty intimidating project, Casey. Good luck.

Don R.

George,

The Argentine AF also flies the E-model. My guess is that they just wanted to keep their spares compatible with them. Economics.

Don R.

I don't want to step on Bob's reply, but if you think it looks like an E-model because of the GTC and ATM intake, a lot of foreign military have H-models without the APU and big AC packs. As an example, check out photo #4581 of the Moroccan AF; also an H-model with a GTC. Just think FY 1973 USAF H-models.

Don R.

One more observation; the 74 H-models had the Rosemount pitot system with 2 pitot tubes on each side.

Well, you said you wanted feedback!

Don R.

OK, ya ready, Casey? Three minor observations.

1. The windshield wipers look like A-model wipers. In the park position, the wiper blades should be paralell with the wiper arm.

2. The APU exhaust looks oval to me. I recollect it being round.

3. No urinal drains?

Don R.

Anyone ever hear from Bob Grindrod, Wilber Nelson?

Jim,

Bob Grinrod ("Rug") was a CMSgt at Rhein Main when I was there (1977 -- 1983). He showed up in the early 1980's. He was the chief FE in the 37th and then went to Wing as the chief FE in Stan/Eval, or maybe it was the other way around. I also worked with him working part time for Flying Tigers servicing a MAC Charter 747 that transited the base once a week. He drove a really neat Honda Gold Wing. Lost track of him when I left.

I remember a Wilbur Nelson as an FE on HC-130P's at Kortat RTAFB in Thailand.

Don R.

Dutch,

Pretty impressive!

Like you, I'd like to see everyone take the time to complete at least a basic bio. I know a lot of members aren't present or prior service, but that's OK. I makes it easier to reply to a thread if there is a way to know one's aviation experience.

Don R.

As far as Tyner's posterior wounds, I don't think he ever reported them or went to the dispensary! He wasn't interested in a Purple Heart or any attention!!

Ken,

During the rocket attack I mentioned at TSN, we had a crew chief named Pringle who was changing a MLG tire. He cut his hand during the attack and went to the dispensary. Got a Purplre Heart for it! I didn't think then ,nor do I think now that that was the intention of the Purple Heart.

Don R.

Knew that they were thinking about amphib Hercs at one time, but......

George,

Lockheed did experiment with an amphibious model, called HOW -- "Hercules on Water."

Don R.

The best that I can recall is that the P-3 has the same T-56 engine, with a different dash number (-14?) but gearbox mounted upside down (?). Probably to better keep salt spray out of the intake. But what do I know? I'm not a swabbie....

George,

Don't know about the P-3, but the Electra has a D501D-13 engine, whereas the Herc has a D501-22A engine.

One time when I was in the 37th, I was broke at Sigonella and had a Navy engine mech helping me change something on the gearbox. He told me that my engine was upsidedown comapred to his P-3. I took him over to a P-3 and told him to look up in the main gear wheelwell and tell me what he saw. What he saw was the TD amplifier facing down with "No Step" stenciled on it. I rest my case!

Don R.

I must admit I heard the turboprops, but didn't think it was a herk

Giz

Giz,

I know what you mean, but for some reason, the NOAA P-3 based here at MacDill fools me every time.

Don R.

Then, there's the tanker crew that refuels those fighters. The little girl on the right looks like she knows what she's gonna write about for her "what I did on my summer vacation" essay for high school.

Don R.

I like that!!! Oh, the airplane, too.

Don R.

Some of the Dyess guys who retired in Abilene can chime in. Might have a different name now.

Tye Truck Stop! Man, that brings back memories. I was at Dyess in the early 1970's and again from 1983 to 1985. The truck stop used to be the place to go after a night at the NCO Club. Of course, back then, Taylor County was a dry county and the only place to drink was at the clubs on base. You could buy booze off base in the little town called Impact, though.

Don R.

Bill,

I went through one rocket attack at Tan Son Nhut. I don't remember any bunkers there, either. I remember I was doing some work on my B-model on Rebel Ramp when the rockets started coming in. A C-123 pilot grabbed me and put me in the right seat and said we were taxiing all the C-130's across the runway to the bomb dump. We moved 4 or 5 airplanes that night, including a couple of C-123's. Not the first time I silently questioned the logic of the command post weenies.

Don R.

Chris,

As a person with 2 ex-wives, I don't think she was even partly kidding. She was dead serious!

Don R.

Fire Empire!

Don R.

Chris & Ken,

I think all of us maintenance weenies have a story about the aircrews getting awards while we mechanics just get a ride back home. Me and another 2-striper, Gene Morton, flew up to some dirt strip in the middle of the night on a C-123 to change 2 tires on a B-model stuck on a muddy dirt strip. All we had was a reversed taxi light for illumination and a GTC blasting in our ears. We did get a letter of appreciation from the AC, though. The C-130 crew and the C-123 crew both got medals. Yeah, I know Chris, it was just my job.

When I went over to the other side (FE), I always went out of my way to show my appreciation for the mechanic's job.

Ken, I'll look for your yearly question next year.

Don R.

Oh, I alsmot forgot -- the nav asked us to sit in the back since we were covered from head to toe with mud. The AC overrode the idiot and said if I knew how to fly the thing, I could sit in his seat!

PJ,

According to a friend of mine, Transafrik occasionally operates a Herc into Oman in support of the Aussies there. Did you see it? If it had a 5X registration and was all white (and dirty), it was a Transafrik Herc.

Don R.

There were abunch I could not find. Just wondering if some came out of Lockheed in Camo?

Bob

Lars says USAF had 78 HC's H,N,P and I found 60 in the gray with yellow racing stripe.

Bob,

From the pics I have of HC-models is one that came from you, 66-0221. That would lead me to believe that 66-0220 was also originally in the gray scheme. Could you post a list of your missing gray models? Just a cursory scan through my collection, I found 4089, 4094 & 4097 with the yellow stripe.

Don R.

Don was 220 ever painted in the old HC gray with the yellow stripe or was it always camo?

Bob

Bob,

My year at Korat was my only experience in ARRS and all the 200 series P-models there were in camo.

Don R.

66-0224 was at Korat RTAFB when I was with the 56th ARRS in 1972. Good airplane. I was the CC on 66-0220 at the time.

Don R.