herkman

As my father used to say in regard to redheads. If you want the pashion, do not forget the temper that comes with her. Regards Col

So in 2006 there were seven aircraft there. 55-0001 55-0005 55-0013 56-0476 56-0482 56-0519 56-0532 Now there appear to be five, I wonder what the fate was of the missing two. Too far gone to be brought back to flying, particularly with the known three bladed prop problem. Regards Col

My understanding that the USAF and VNAF left behind some A models at TSN. My understanding is that some were deliberately destroyed and some left in a derelict condition. Does any one have a list of the ones left and the fate of the rest now gone. Thanks Col

This practice was never followed whilst I was in the RAAF. People who I have spoken to, have never seen it done, and to quote one FE if they had tried it with me on board, I would have had my steel ruler out. A silly accident that never should have happened. Regards Col

In Australia because our total fleet was based in the one location and because all of our FE's were taken from the technical trades, we had to repair the aircraft when broken down away from base. We used to have an A and a B kit, one was for use in Australia and the two combined used to cover overseas. If the breakdown was bad like say a hydralic pump problem, then we would have to ask for a "Rescue Eight" and another C130 full of the required bit, tools and of course the technicians would usually arrive in a day or so. It was a rare occasion when we could not get the ship flying again. Our FE's also had to with the able assistance of the LM, used to be qualified to pull various scheduled inspections, when the airframe ran out of hours, caused by our tasking being extended. My understanding is that on the J models, the LM has been given the task of changing parts to fix u/s's but sometimes has to get help locally. A feature not we did not thank Lockheed for was the loss of the engineer, if we ever have to fight another war like Vietnam, I wonder how long before he returns. Regards Col

The first thing that comes to mind, is this guy insulted a lot of really dedicated guys here, like Chief Master SGT Sweeney. Who would have to be one of the most profesional NCO's I have had the pleasure of exchanging information with. The board has lost a lot of good posters, who used to help all and sundry around the world. Why should we have to tolerate people who come on this site and just insult and jerk people around. I for one would say go away, stay away. If you ever were in a Air Force you are a disgrace to the uniform worn proudy by so many who served and often paid the ultimate price for doing so. Clowns have their place and it is in a circus. May be your service with starbucks is an indication of your ability. My ten year old grandaughter makes a good cup and after all it is not rocket science. A pubic apology to CMSGT Sweeney and the rest you insulted would not go astray. Aboard, closed, checked Col Tigwell

My friend it is good to hear all the good stories, and for you to go on and live a full and normal life is a great gift. Wishing you all the best for a full recovery Regards Col

Wow what a lovely young lady and she has a fine brain. Your co pilots must be very different to ours, never seen one as cute as this. Wish her and your family all the best for the future. Regards Col

Thank you all greatly appreciated Col

The C135 and its many variations I understand, really is not a military 707, but believed was derived from the 700 series, please correct me if I am wrong. What is the differences. I also understand that a batch were manufactured with a FE station and part of the crew. Which series was this and why when most did not have a FE did this series have them. Lastly is this model in service and do they still exist. Thanks Guys Col

My understanding is that they are not the same. Regards Col

TRY a PM to "Wombat" he has forgotten more than most of us have learnt. Another thought is how about trying the manufacturer direct, he may have enough interest to help. Regards Col

Thanks guys suspect this falls into no old bold pilots. Shame it just never needed to have happened Regards Col

Lost when flying on exchange duty with the USAF, we heard down here that he lost control of the airplane and I believe all were lost. His name was Reynolds I thought there was a posting some time ago on here but it does not come up on search. Can any one throw any light on nthis matter. Thanks Col

It is reported on P Prune that an Italian C130J has crashed. Up to 5 POB. A sad day indeed. Regards Col

They in the main were a useless idea. Were operated by a handpump which was a slow way to open and close. We found in the RAAF they were seldom used and used to give false door warning lights. Also if you left them open when loading heavy items they would not close correctly and often one had to taxi the airplane to get all the locks engaged. We were very happy when they were permantly closed by a TO in 1960 I think it was. Only the very first of the E models had them. The concept was not a bad idea, but in actual practice there was no real gain by loading through them. We where more than a little wary of them as we were told that the airplane which lost the door, that it also came back and hit the No 2 engine and prop. Regards Col

Caution is higher loading than a warning. It means there can be a danger of injury or loss of life. Normally the explanations are given in the front of the various tec orders. REGARDS Col

And 1958 thru 1959 would be years of production. As the RAAF C130A were the last to be produced except for some RC130A's then all engines except maybe for some additional spares would have been produced in the production years. The RAAF made the engine more reliable by restricting the Cruise TIT which extended the life without premature change outs greatly. AVTUR which is a British spec equivelant to JP1 was our normal diet, but of course we used JP4 out of US bases and Vietnam. The made differance I believe is that JP1 had no petrol in it. Earl Cherry has been operating the only flyable RAAF C130A for so many years and runs his on JP4 with no problems. Regards Col

Thank you John for your kind help and for giving us down here the sad news, Glenn was a good officer and an excellent pilot. There will be many sad faces when I post the news. Glenn and I did a trip to the UK via the USA and what a great trip it was. The memories that we carry in our minds become so precious. Regards Col

In the process of moving from Tasmania to South Australia. My email is colin,[email protected] nice to think someone was thinking of me. Regards Col

I wonder if that is the same man who came down here to show us the C130A in 1958. If I recall correctly the aircraft was based in Japan. Was having a local ride when the unit who flew the P2V5 was having a big parade with a fly by. Bob heard them ask for for a clearance and asked if he could come behind. Now a C130 at full belt does make a tad more noise than a twin engined recip and the noise of the C130 following the P2V caused every one to look up, Bob pulled in a smart climb and also shut down 1 and 4. Over the PA which was tuned to the tower frequency, came the US cry " lets see you Aussies do that" Cheers and yells turned the parade into shambles, but who cared. To me then a lowly E5, he showed every help and consideration and also I may have been the first enlisted man from the RAAF to fly in the 130. Gppd on ya Bob smooth skies. Regards Col Tigwell

Good to see that 3212 is still struting it stuff some 50 years after delivery. Last I heard is that she was to have a mainplane change, anyone confirm that. Wouuld be nice to have a dollar for every hour I spent flying in her. At the time that she would have been in service, the RAAF was using standard USN blade tip colours. Regards Col

Thanks guys much appreciated regards Col

Down here I work as a volunteer, helping veterans get the entitlements which of course is a minefield. However I am pleased to advise that the benefits down here, appear to be clothed in less red tape that in the US Forces. I am assisting a Australian lady who still is an Australian citizen, who was married to a US Army veteran, and he died some three years ago from a condition that may or may not be service related. The US Government sent a head stone for his grave all the way from the USA, but he is buried in a local plot, as we have no military graves here in Australia after WW2. A problem has arisen, where the Australian government who is in charge of pensions, has indicated that she must make first a claim on US vet affairs for her pension, before they will top up her pension, by the difference between her Australian citizen entitlement and the Vets dependent from the USA. From this you can see it has become complicated, because the two governments have different rules. I have been looking through the US Vet Affairs site, and whilst some questions I have found answers there are just as many that are not, and hoping that some help and advice could becoming from you guys. Any other comments may care to make is appreciated. 1. If the Vets widow remarries, will she loose her USA pension, you may be interested to know that in Australia she would not. 2. Whilst she remains a widow, are there any benefits she would get, in addition to the pension which I presume would be granted. 3. Because Australia does not come under the NCA, she has had to pay the total cost of the internment. I note that in the USA because it may not be able to be proved that he died of war related causes, that she only has two years to do this in. Can a waiver be obtained for this time limitation, in view of the lack of both information and the NCA having representation down here. I would appreciate any comments or advise you would care to make, if you would prefer not to make comments on this site, my email address [email protected] Thank you so much Regards Col

Sources indicate that it was a C17, dropped 20 men and their inflatable boats. Regards Col