Railrunner130

Wow! Thanks for posting those photos Bob! I'd guess the Herk was used because of the long range. They probably used airdrop computations for release points?

As I recall, during the Falklands war, the Argentinians briefly used a C-130 as a bomber. Does anyone know how they did it? (slung on the pylons, extracted out the back, gravity dropped?)

I was absolutely amazed at the publications that AMC has provided us on the IPads. I was a hard-line, anti-e-pubs guy until I realized you can find whatever information you want on this device. If I'm in the middle of JAIing a Heavy Equipment load and have a 13C7-5 question (for example), all I have to do is turn it on, put in the password, open the manual and hit search. I haven't dug very far into it, but I think the -1-1 is in there.

I was absolutely amazed at the publications that AMC has provided us on the IPads. I was a hard-line, anti-e-pubs guy until I realized you can find whatever information you want on this device. If I'm in the middle of JAIing a Heavy Equipment load and have a 13C7-5 question (for example), all I have to do is turn it on, put in the password, open the manual and hit search. I haven't dug very far into it, but I think the -1-1 is in there.

The Ipads are great! I never thought it was a good idea, but I've got a stack of manuals as high as me on this tiny thing. I'm not a fan of Apple so I'm having "personal compatibility" issues learning how it works. Right now, Phase I is out and issued. I think Phase II is at the test bases. I think there are concrete plans for 4-5 phases, but I don't know details. They are talking about all of the options you've mentioned, but I don't know which items are in what phase.

I enjoy LCLA. It's so simple. None of that squib business. Drift the bundle back, cut and push.

There are two "generations" of U-models. Those that were factory built that way and those that were converted. I thought (please correct me if I'm wrong) that the factory built were essentially H3s. I think Nashvilles H2s 89/90 era were the only ones converted.

I've flown on H2s my entire time as a Loadmaster. I'm a little hazy on some of the details, but here's what I've got. The H2 started out with Oklahoma City (now Pittsburgh) 78s. I don't know of any real changes until Schenectedy got the 83s. That was the intro of chemical toilets and matching side escape hatches. From what I gather, there are some cockpit configuration differences in the 83s and 84s due to the addition of the ski controls for Schenectedy. Schenectedy's airplanes were also the last to have the big wire antenna. Delaware's 84's were the first to have digital fuel panel lights. With Texas getting the 85's, the Rosemont pitot static system began. I'm not 100%, but I think they might have also received the first 3000 lbs. brake system. Everything in the H2 line was status quoe until 90-1057 received the first square paratroop windows and corresponding differences in the paratroop doors.

I personally don't like the USAF official rules for being non-gender specific and politically correct about naming airplanes. I know some units have gone so far as to get official approval for a name. At some point you may be forced to conform. For now, do what seems appropriate. We have one airplane that I refer to as "Horse With No Name" because of the song by the same name, the crew chief wouldn't name it and the song parallels (at one time) recent unit history. I had gone through Loadmaster school, did my seasoning training and then we were activated and off to start OIF. To this day the airplane still has no name attached to it. I like the idea of pig names for the Herk. Not at all to be derogatory- quite the opposite. They just seem to fit because they are portly and work very well and often in the dirt. One of my favorite ideas is "Thunder Pig". I realize you guys most likely never take the wheels off concrete, so this may not work for you. But, it's a direction. Congratulations and good luck!

Yep. From what I understand they're the gunship equivilant of an H3. I've seen them in the desert and they are so heavily modified that they almost don't look like Herks.

I've heard this as a rumor. It does make some sense. I don't know about the Dobbins part though. It seems to me that some place (like Pittsburgh or Reno) with older H2s would benefit more from gaining those airplanes. Come to think of it, didn't those 86s come from Pittsburgh?

What is everyone's take on whether the rescue C-130s should be ACC or SOC? Personally, I thought they needed to be SOC. I think SOC understands the mission better and supports them better as well. But I'm an outsider and am not all that familiar with all the ins and outs. Thoughts?

We've gotten a few random airplanes back from PDM with that patch painted over. I haven't noticed if the paint peels, burns or anything like that.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the reason that most Herks still have externals now has to do with extending wing life and not actually extending range. This was a philosophical change from the earlier days.

I'm pretty sure all Herks have the mountings for four externals. Whether or not they are plumbed and wired is a different story.

Awesome. Glad you got to do that.

That's what I've heard. I've seen nothing in writing on it though.

Speaking of WGARS, I understand the Reserve training squadron at LRF will become the 327th.

I'm pretty sure that's a similar set-up to the microwave in the H3s.

No. I see where the confusion comes in. At Keesler they have both slick Js and the Hurricane WC-Js. The slick airplanes owned by the Flying Jennies are going to Dobbins. Unless perhaps there's something going on that I haven't heard yet, which is entirely possible.

From what I hear, they're getting/have the WCs that have been passed around from Keesler/ Willow Grove/ March/ Nashville.

I'm not sure, but I think knowing your model airplane would help. I think we've parked our H's at 155,000. I know certain places like Lajes even have a minimum ramp weight due to winds, but that's another story.

The load planners are told of a 25,000 lb. max weight. Max weight for airdrop is 42,000 lbs. As was mentioned, there are a lot of variables that go into that. But on the subject of 18 wheelers- the cargo compartment has approximately the same dimensions as the trailer of an 18 wheeler.

Look up "how to use E6B" on the internet. I have one that I bought years ago for civilian flying.

Funny, I live 15 minutes from there and have never been... Perhaps I should check it out one day.