Five a day - Part 10

[haveblue]

RAF Hercules of old. How they appeared in the orginal Airfix C130K model of the time, and probably reflecting their use on RAF Near East/Far East Air Force routes. The first two pics are from the then two well known main operating bases locally. The last three are from the satellite unit of RAF Milltown before it became an aerial farm. The C130s were supporting a deployment of Harriers at the time.

C130 C1 RAF Ser XV201 - RAF Kinloss 1970s by Alan M, on Flickr

C130 C1 RAF Ser XV300 - RAF Lossiemouth 1970s by Alan M, on Flickr

C130 C1 RAF Ser XV295 - RAF Milltown 1973 by Alan M, on Flickr

You can just see a second C130 in the background of this one.

C130 C1 RAF Ser XV221 - RAF Milltown 1973 by Alan M, on Flickr

C130 C1 RAF Ser XV186 RAF Milltown 1973 by Alan M, on Flickr

[Mustang531]

Thanks for sharing these, nice to see some views of RAF Herks in the early scheme.

[Punkrunner62]

Thanks haveblue, the first time i have seen images from an active Milltown, great to see.
Cheers.

[Stug298]

wonderful memories of them passing over west London heading for Lyneham in the 70's a decade later i was on board looking down at Heathrow top drawer pics thank you...

[Thunder]

The shots from Milltown are absolutely fantastic, first time I’ve seen what the ‘tower’, looked like. All I saw was the remaining foundations. I remember a Harrier detachment operating from there in the 80’s, using hides within the woods at the East of the site.

[wizzair]

Thanks a million for posting these. I think that if there were a single type and a single scheme that represented my early days in this hobby it would be this.

[F3]

Certainly showing your age with this set Alan. However I also remember them in this Middle East scheme - just!
Paintwork seems to be on remarkably pristine conditions w/out the usual discolouring caused by dust and soot sticking to the hydraulic fuel leaks.

[daggerfan]

The shots from Milltown are absolutely fantastic, first time I’ve seen what the ‘tower’, looked like. All I saw was the remaining foundations. I remember a Harrier detachment operating from there in the 80’s, using hides within the woods at the East of the site.

I remember an earlier Harrier detachment to Milltown, involving 1 Squadron aircraft operating from the woods on the base. I think it was around Easter 1971 and a number of Herks (three or five, can't remember exactly) brought the support in. But the best bit was leaving day, when the Herks were accompanied by a Belfast! That was an impressive sight taxying past close to the Inchbroom road! When it turned onto the runway it reversed so it could use the full length. I have a photo of it somewhere. Happy days!

[paddyboy]

Yet another nostalgia-laden set of shots, Alan

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[TimFoo]

Another great set! Apparently this scheme was known as 'Sh*t and Custard'.....

[viggen091]

Great to see Milltown.
Really enjoying your postings
Pure quality and nostalgia
Many thanks

[DanBeeden]

Great shots - especially interesting as Milltown is an airfield I've never even heard of before! Shot #5 is particularly nice.

[haveblue]

Hi DanBeeden. As far as I know it was an ex WWII site, or built shortly thereafter, located about 3 miles SE of RAF/RNAS Lossiemouth. I didn't see it as such but believe it was a relief landing ground for RNAS Lossiemouth initially (although others may correct me on that).

[haveblue]

Hi Viggen091. Unfortunately I have no more photos from there. Although I was able to visit the harriers in the woods at one point I have no photos of their visits. Maybe they will have an F35 deployment one day, but I'm not holding my breath!

[haveblue]

Hi Daggerfan. Can't wait to see photos of that Belfast when you dig them out.

[LM47]

Thanks again for showing these and as has been said..rare shots from Milltown.
Milltown was a WW II airfield and went to the Navy in 1946 as HMS Fulmar II.

There were Seafires based there but that was before my time.

My last visit there was as a 53 year old in 1968 and I talked my way in and got a good look over Tiger Moth XL717 which was glider towing for the Fulmar Gliding Club..
I managed to see Grunau Baby VS220 in the hangar which was good as they burnt it not long afterwards.

Long before I had a camera unfortunately.
I can't remember if ' Daggerfan' was with us that day..hopefully his memory is better than mine.

[Mike]

Great info LM47, but are you sure that you were 53 years old in 1968?

If so, then you must easily be FC's oldest member!

[BFM]

Thanks for posting these as I also had never seen any pictures from an active RAF Milltown.

[SW Sky Blue]

Excellent

[Stratocruiser]

What a treat to see the venerable Herc in the 70's cameo scheme.
It gave me a flash back to when they regularly performed ILS approaches at Bournemouth Hurn from Lyneham and local Thorney Isle together with Argosy and Andovers; ah, they were great days!
I am loving your 'five a day' posts .... a truly sincere thanks from me