RAF C-130s - The End is Nigh...

[TonyO]

Thought it might be fun to have a thread of pictures looking back at the RAF's use of the C-130 since the 1960s, and I am fairly sure most people have at least one shot of these lovely machines over the years.

Will suggest posting three of your favourite RAF C-130 shots per post, but as many posts as you like...

HEVS, SADIE, TAWS and a whole new look... by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

XV301_Hercules_SPTA_RAF by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

ZH869 C-130J LL by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

[paddyboy]

Three great shots of a wonderful servant to the military over the years

Thanks for posting, Tony

Paddyboy

[d555]

I didn't take too many, especially of the C.1's & 3's. Was always saving my film for something more exotic.
The folly of yoof

C130K Hercules C.1 by Meddy89, on Flickr

L. C130J-30 Hercules C.4 by Meddy89, on Flickr

L. C130J-30 Hercules C.4 by Meddy89, on Flickr

Permit me a final one as it's probably the last time I get to Photograph an RAF Herc
BZN23.0527.c130a by Meddy89, on Flickr

[Mustang531]

It will be sad to see them go, the RAF got their first ones about the time I started spotting. Thankfully plenty of other European forces, plus those from further afield still appear, so will still be around. I think it was the 1987 IAT when there was a formation flypast of fifteen RAF Hercs, impressive to say the least. It must have been during the time it stopped raining.

[Part Timer]

Not a great shot but for the record
424 by A M, on Flickr

A previous milestone
403 by A M, on Flickr

And a one off
382 by A M, on Flickr

[Part Timer]

An early photo 1981 or 2 all in camo
165 by A M, on Flickr

Everything went Grey
411 by A M, on Flickr

And we finish in Green
DSC_0902 by A M, on Flickr

[Mustang531]

Thanks Part Timer, good to see a shot of the formation flypast, you managed to squeeze them all in. Nice to see Snoopy too.

[waghorn41]

Just two from me. XV211 in grey/green flying overhead with ramp open and XV212 in brown/stone(?) on the pan at RAF Kai Tak in 1976.
XV211 by Ian Pursey, on Flickr
XV212 by Ian Pursey, on Flickr

[F3]

Great idea for a thread. Apparently there's a retirement bash for Albert being held @ RAF Mus Hendon on 30 June. Here's a selection of my favourite shots that I collected for the Labours of Hercules article in Aviation News which turned out to be surplus to requirements. Be a shame not to share. One thing I don't have is a pic of Herks doing a paradrop (and I don't mean The Falcons Team) as part of an exercise on Salisbury Plain or for the D-Day Ann. celebrations over in Normandy which I know they've done on occasions. If anyone does I'd be interested in seeing it posted on this thread.

Hercules XV189 next to the Hastings it replaced Coningsby '74 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Hercules C1 XV204 in original camo Finningley '76 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Hercules visitors @ Leeming on Ex Purple Warrior with XV177 second from right Nov '87 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

C130 Hercules flypast Ch. Fenton mid 80s by Michael Britton, on Flickr

C-130 on approach @ Leeming circa '89 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Jubilee Hercules XV 292 Ch. Fenton '92 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

C-130 - Tactical demo Elvington '02 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

RIAT 2000 - C-130W 'Snoopy' DERA by Michael Britton, on Flickr

C-130J Khe Sanh approach Elvington airshow '06 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

XV291 on Op Khana Cascade Hardy painting by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[Stug298]

nice collection there F3.......Where did you hear about the event at Hendon please?

[Professor_M]

ZH866 arriving at Cambridge for storage back in March...
RAF Hercules C4 - ZH866 - Cambridge - 200323 (2) by Professor M, on Flickr

[TonyO]

Some cracking old shots appearing, hopefully we see more in the coming days...

[TonyO]

Some C-130Js is different states of grubbiness...

ZH875_C-130J_RAF_LYE by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

ZH884_C-130JHerculesC5_RoyalAirForce_EGDL by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

ZH885_HerculesC5_RoyalAirForce_MachLoop by Tony Osborne, on Flickr

[F3]

nice collection there F3.......Where did you hear about the event at Hendon please?

In the current edition of the RAF News paper.

[Stug298]

nice collection there F3.......Where did you hear about the event at Hendon please?

In the current edition of the RAF News paper.

Thanks could you give us the details please ?

[Stug298]

The view from my bathroom window and garden in Lyneham village and the Line at the end of a summer night shift....happy times......

img144 by Stewart goldsmith, on Flickr

img163 by Stewart goldsmith, on Flickr
img161 by Stewart goldsmith, on Flickr

[Petepilot]

Bit of artistic license I'm afraid....some pics of Lyneham on the way back from a North Weald - Cardiff flight, January 13, 2007.

Lyneham Jan 13 2007 1 by Petepilot, on Flickr

Lyneham Jan 13 2007 2 by Petepilot, on Flickr

Lyneham Jan 13 2007 3 by Petepilot, on Flickr

Lyneham Jan 13 2007 by Petepilot, on Flickr

[F3]

nice collection there F3.......Where did you hear about the event at Hendon please?

In the current edition of the RAF News paper.

Thanks could you give us the details please ?

Basically that's all it says; "The aircraft will retire from service on June 30 following a ceremony attended by air chiefs, serving personnel and veterans @ RAFM Hendon". With all those in attendance I v.much doubt there's any chance of the public being allowed in but prob best to contact the RAFM.

[Stug298]

In the current edition of the RAF News paper.

Thanks could you give us the details please ?

Basically that's all it says; "The aircraft will retire from service on June 30 following a ceremony attended by air chiefs, serving personnel and veterans @ RAFM Hendon". With all those in attendance I v.much doubt there's any chance of the public being allowed in but prob best to contact the RAFM.

Thank you very much for the info i might pop down to see what its all about even if i cant get in....cheers

[MikeH]

Hercules-C1-Finningley-XV294-30JN77 by Michael Hall, on Flickr

Hercules-C1-StMawgan-XV291-06AU76 by Michael Hall, on Flickr

Hercules-C1-Greenham-Common-XV196-25JN77 by Michael Hall, on Flickr