MC-130J Float plane, what next!

[Ghost from above]

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Commander Lt. Gen. Jim Slife told reporters on the 20th September that there are plans to demonstrate an amphibious version of the MC-130J Hercules by the end of next year.

Interesting to also note on Tuesday 9th November deputy commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, Maj. Gen. Eric Hill, visited Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to look at a ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft.

Looks like at least one airframe will be completed for testing by the end of 2022. Cant wait to see this flying, here's hoping they get a few and we get a visit to Mildenhall.

Full article with a rendering here
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your ... nder-says/

[Rugbyref]

That is one ugly bird!

[Ghost from above]

That is one ugly bird!

Bet it handles like a brick

[Supra]

Talk about re-inventing the wheel! Cheaper & quieter than developing a C-130J Hybrid that could easily end up in another 'Credible Sport' fiasco? ( See minute 1-25 of https://youtu.be/fSFjhWw4DNo)
ShinMaywa US-2 - Wikipedia
Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShinMaywa_US-2
The ShinMaywa US-2 is a Japanese large short takeoff and landing amphibious aircraft developed and manufactured by seaplane specialist ShinMaywa (formerly Shin Meiwa). It was developed from the earlier Shin Meiwa US-1A seaplane, which was introduced during the 1970s.

[Sparts99]

Talk about re-inventing the wheel! Cheaper & quieter than developing a C-130J Hybrid that could easily end up in another 'Credible Sport' fiasco? ( See minute 1-25 of https://youtu.be/fSFjhWw4DNo)
ShinMaywa US-2 - Wikipedia
Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShinMaywa_US-2
The ShinMaywa US-2 is a Japanese large short takeoff and landing amphibious aircraft developed and manufactured by seaplane specialist ShinMaywa (formerly Shin Meiwa). It was developed from the earlier Shin Meiwa US-1A seaplane, which was introduced during the 1970s.

Has the US-2 got the freight capacity of a C-130? US-2 appears to be ASW and ASR rather than cargo or troop carrying. But having said that the pic of the floatplane C-130 does just look wrong. The wheels look like beaching gear rather than proper undercarriage.

[Alf]

Talk about re-inventing the wheel! Cheaper & quieter than developing a C-130J Hybrid that could easily end up in another 'Credible Sport' fiasco? ( See minute 1-25 of https://youtu.be/fSFjhWw4DNo)
ShinMaywa US-2 - Wikipedia
Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShinMaywa_US-2
The ShinMaywa US-2 is a Japanese large short takeoff and landing amphibious aircraft developed and manufactured by seaplane specialist ShinMaywa (formerly Shin Meiwa). It was developed from the earlier Shin Meiwa US-1A seaplane, which was introduced during the 1970s.

The original post already comments on the US-2.

i[]interesting to also note on Tuesday 9th November deputy commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, Maj. Gen. Eric Hill, visited Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to look at a ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft.[/i]

[f-4]

Is it April 1 already?

[Finty]

Looking forward to seeing it on Llyn Mwyngil…

[David Vincent]

Lockheed had proposed an amphibious version of the C-130 in the mid-1960s, it looked quite good, a lot like a large Grumman Albatros rather than a Hercules with floats bolts to it!

[Supra]

Just need to remember NOT to lower the rear Ramp on the water! Older members may remember the 'Herald of Free Enterprise' Tragedy. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Herald ... Enterprise)

[Agent K]

Just need to remember NOT to lower the rear Ramp on the water! Older members may remember the 'Herald of Free Enterprise' Tragedy. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Herald ... Enterprise)

Actually, given that it's a float plane rather than a flying boat, so the fuselage will not be watertight as such, that shouldn't be a problem and could be a usedul bit of functionality in the appropriate sea/water state

[quid21]

Well they developed a C-130 with a Ski setup, so why not!

[Magpie]

Is it April 1 already?

Lol just what I was thinking

[raptor9]

Supra, Really sad day. A widow on our estate in Aylesbury lost both her daughters in that awful, yet so obvious, accident.

[cat1]

that looks like the floats from a cessna 172 with a undersised c-130 gluded to the bottom
gonna be difficult to build as none of the engineres will want to look at it finished

[roughcutter]

Looks a bit "bolt on" and as previously mentioned, would most likely handle like a brick. On dry land because of those floats the aircraft would be so elevated that it would need extra high ramps for loading. It would be interesting to see a Herc with a hull type fuselage, but then we're dwelling into the realms of fantasy. Horses for courses I guess.

[Supra]

Just need to remember NOT to lower the rear Ramp on the water! Older members may remember the 'Herald of Free Enterprise' Tragedy. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Herald ... Enterprise)

Actually, given that it's a float plane rather than a flying boat, so the fuselage will not be watertight as such, that shouldn't be a problem and could be a usedul bit of functionality in the appropriate sea/water state

Probably should've copied the post directly above mine as my response was regarding ......"it looked quite good, a lot like a large Grumman Albatros rather than a Hercules with floats bolts to it!" Sorry to cause confusion.

[Agent K]

Sorry to cause confusion.

No worries and it raised an interesting point for comment and thoughts anyway!

[22A]

Looking forward to seeing it on Llyn Mwyngil…

In WW2 a flight of three Sunderlands was based on Lake Windermere, so why not?

[Vulture 01]

Douglas fitted floats to the C47 during the war, so there is a precedence of sorts for this.
Also, you need to consider where the aircraft might be used before discussing extra high loading gear etc.

Thankfully it doesn't look as if BAe will get involved in this.....
Just my ramblings!