Railrunner130

It had been planned and never executed. As far as I know, there were never even people assigned to it. The ninth aircraft to support such an endeavor isn't coming. The way it was explained is that the TFI units will only be with the J-model units. I found that little note interesting. I heard a while back from some folks at LRF that the flying squadron under the 913 AW will be the 327 AS, just like at Willow Grove. I assume that they are currently an Associate unit with the 50 AS and will take their airplanes when they deactivate. Under this proposal, they'd then swap for Js. Does this sound correct?

Yep. They're below the 77. One guy has SSgt stripes showing and his buddy on the left with his back to the camera has faded ABUs.

Those photos remind me of a scene from the movie Fandango.

I've flown on H2s ranging from 78-90 purchase years and the only one that had JATO attachments was the 83- from Schenectady.

One of our H2s is still out there in a pool of legacy trainers. Some of our newbies came back with time on it, so I assume the number of users of pool has been reduced. I know the 189 AW is doing all legacy flight training now. I believe it came up here that the Js are all 19 AW and supposedly don't belong to a specific squadron. However, I believe the J squadrons are 41 (deploy) and 48 (training). I saw an article within the last week or so that the 50 AS has the reserve squadron (I thought they were supposed to be 327 AS?..) flying with them. Long story short AD has decided that they are going all-J. Any planned TFI units will be with the J units. All legacy airplanes will be relegated to the Guard and Reserve. I think Little Rock has quickly headed in that direction. Interesting how we're back to 1970 again.... New airplanes in AD and old in reserve units.

We usually do a few each year. The last couple were squashed due to $$. I don't think base Public Affairs is involved any longer in the request process. The website below is how you request "aerial event support." http://www.airshows.pa.hq.af.mil/PublicSite/index.cfm?fwa=newreq

It's funny, some of the H1s look like old Martinsburg tails. They weren't, but the 167 in the tail number is reminiscent of the system used in the 80s-90s.

Very nice!! I don't sticker up my car, but that one may be the exception.

The prefix "J" refers to being temporarily modified. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962_United_States_Tri-Service_aircraft_designation_system

Yea, you've definitely got to watch your fingers when pulling the ground loading ramps out or putting them back in their storage compartment. I flew with a guy once that (later) cut off his pinkie finger doing said operations. Luckily, there was a medical team on board that was able to get him patched up enough that he was able to keep the finger.

I always thought the nickname "Starlizard" was pretty cool-- especially back in the Euro I camo days. The C-17 is pretty amazing when you think about it- somewhat strategic airlifter and somewhat tactical. Given that big range of missions, it can get the troops closer to the last combat mile (I like that phrase, but can't figure why) than any predecessor in that role. While they've had many incidents in the 20+ years of it being in-service, the community has only suffered one airframe loss.

I assume you're talking about for personnel airdrop?

The airplanes built before 72-1288 were closed as you mentioned. I don't know about the mechanics of it, but I do remember you have to hit the open switch and then pull the manual release handle for the door.

I remember part of a test question had to do with dual snubbers on slicks starting with 72-??. That's the part I forget. The Loadmaster preflight talks about checking the cargo door contents, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't give any guidance on what should/shouldn't be back there. That sounds like an Addenda-A question, but I'm not sure it's there either.

I don't recall seeing a weight limit.

Yep. IIRC the deal shifts a bunch of HC-130Hs to the USAF for conversion to tankers and turned over to the Forest Fire Service. Additionally, AFSOC is getting 7 factory-fresh airplanes. I think I read it in either Air Force Times or Air Force Magazine.

Glad to hear! I've always really liked that Montana tail flash. Thanks for the update Bobby!

That's a bit sad. However, they all appeared to be in decent shape.

IIRC All-American Engineering out of Wilmington, DE was the group that came up with the recovery system. I think there were two systems, one for the Herk and one for the CH-3. I remember reading an article on it about 20 years ago in Air Force Magazine. My Guard unit (DE ANG) was somehow involved in it, but I don't remember how. It may have been just to transport the system to Edwards, I can't be sure. The people to ask have long retired. I do recall seeing the CH-3 system around the time of the article. I think AAE had donated it to the Air Force Museum and was looking for a free ride to get it there. I don't know whatever happened to it though.

I always ask the Engineer before/during engine start if he's got the nose gear pin. The first couple times they get irritated. But I explain that I'm backing him up, not giving him crap. There are those that have and those that will.

I wish we had more people with their character in this world. Things would be far better.

I've had some experience in this arena. Your issue is most likely the clamps on the deice duct up in the tail. They need to be rotated. They are probably facing down, which causes the screw portion to contact the corrigated metal on the door. The clamp needs to be rotated 90' forward or aft. I don't know if the TOs specify. We flew more than a half dozen times trying to figure that one out. A crew chief pointed it out.

Yep it's for Flight Simulator X. Captain Sim did a good job with it. Although the version of the files I have didn't come with the floater. Seems to me that that converting the structure of the Herk to looking more like the Short Empire would be more practical. As for loading and unloading, many of the large flying boats either had a side mounted cargo door with an internal crane and/or only hauled passengers.

I'd suspect that getting a floater Herk airborne isn't really the problem. The problem has to do with the practicality of it (ie, low payload/range due to being too heavy) and the associated costs with such an endeavour. It simply would cost too much to do with very little or no return either commercially or in a military market.

62-1787 is at USAFM. There are two at Little Rock- the one at the main gate and one across from Wing HQ. Charlotte has one. 61-2367 is at CLT, 56-0518 is on the Gate at LRF, 61-2362 is at Wing HQ. 62-1829 is on display off base at LRF, I am looking for a few pics of that one. Thanks Bob