RAF Hercules C-130 Retirement

[Rob666]

50 pounds and only open to people with UK photo driving licence or UK Passport, wow...

I must be honest don’t get the ID requirements been to many of our NATO friends bases and been perfectly happy to accept the good old Passport. However while not attending will miss the Herc, a bad decision.

[James Cutting]

A chance to see the Hercules and other aircraft up close, and it's not like the RAF holds events frequently. The fact it's a weekend too, that helps, some of us have jobs meaning it's hard to take a 3 hour trip to see something.

It's like if you think it's too much, don't buy the tickets, but just let those that do want to, enjoy the event.

[James Cutting]

50 pounds and only open to people with UK photo driving licence or UK Passport, wow...

I must be honest don’t get the ID requirements been to many of our NATO friends bases and been perfectly happy to accept the good old Passport. However while not attending will miss the Herc, a bad decision.

Most likely because the RAF have higher security measure in place and for this event chose U.K. Passports? The other events you mention (let's say airshows i.e. Sanicole) will of course accept a general passport because they would anticipate foreign visitors more than an RAF base for a photoshoot. Just the way things go

[Canberra TT.18]

50 pounds and only open to people with UK photo driving licence or UK Passport, wow...

I must be honest don’t get the ID requirements been to many of our NATO friends bases and been perfectly happy to accept the good old Passport. However while not attending will miss the Herc, a bad decision.

Most likely because the RAF have higher security measure in place and for this event chose U.K. Passports? The other events you mention (let's say airshows i.e. Sanicole) will of course accept a general passport because they would anticipate foreign visitors more than an RAF base for a photoshoot. Just the way things go

I think with other event, eg. spottersdays at different exercises all over Europe including countries like Greece and Turkey are meant.

Will miss the Hercules.
Once so common now they disappear not only in the UK but also Belgium Spain Portugal next to go in The Netherlands possibly Austria. But luckily we have the new German ones for the next 40 years...

[Rob68]

Just been to an on base event where needed to provide passport, have photo taken, provide finger prints, both hands, give height, colour of eyes and my weight to get on base, was funny watching the Mrs providing these as well

[Yammer]

I live in hope that we will, eventually place an order for lets say 6-10 new build Hercules primarily to support UKSF taking special people to special places - our fleet of just 20 or so Atlas are busy enough.

[James Cutting]

You made the common mistake there, applying common sense and logical thinking

[The88tench]

I live in hope that we will, eventually place an order for lets say 6-10 new build Hercules primarily to support UKSF taking special people to special places - our fleet of just 20 or so Atlas are busy enough.

A small fleet to a similar spec to the MC-130J's the USAF have at Mildenhall would be ideal. Unfortunately I can't see that happening, at least any time soon.

[Sparts99]

Its an accounting thing, running a small specialist fleet will be prohibitively expensive, and why sell the fleet just to buy more? Sell off the excess and modify what you've got, if it needs it. The (oh no here we go again) Harriers were an easy neat package to get rid of rather than a reduction of a number of airframes from all types across the RAF & FAA. This is the same.

[Rob666]

50 pounds and only open to people with UK photo driving licence or UK Passport, wow...

I must be honest don’t get the ID requirements been to many of our NATO friends bases and been perfectly happy to accept the good old Passport. However while not attending will miss the Herc, a bad decision.

Most likely because the RAF have higher security measure in place and for this event chose U.K. Passports? The other events you mention (let's say airshows i.e. Sanicole) will of course accept a general passport because they would anticipate foreign visitors more than an RAF base for a photoshoot. Just the way things go

I don’t mean Airshows, but photoshoot events for retirements I am glad they have not been as restricting on entry requirements at this event otherwise would have missed some quality events.

[jd4781]

On the Royal website under future engagements for the 8th June is listed:

"The Princess Royal
Honorary Air Commodore, Royal Air Force Brize Norton, will attend a Parade to mark the retirement of C-130J Hercules at RAF Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxfordshire."

https://www.royal.uk/future-engagements ... 2F2023&id=

[flasheart]

I live in hope that we will, eventually place an order for lets say 6-10 new build Hercules primarily to support UKSF taking special people to special places - our fleet of just 20 or so Atlas are busy enough.

Rumours are that some of the French, German and Spanish A400s were built with metal skid plates under the Fuselage for possible Special Forces rough field ops.
Naturally none of ours were and the Taxpayer will be generously paying for a retro-fit. Brilliant!

[Yammer]

I live in hope that we will, eventually place an order for lets say 6-10 new build Hercules primarily to support UKSF taking special people to special places - our fleet of just 20 or so Atlas are busy enough.

Rumours are that some of the French, German and Spanish A400s were built with metal skid plates under the Fuselage for possible Special Forces rough field ops.
Naturally none of ours were and the Taxpayer will be generously paying for a retro-fit. Brilliant!

Interesting - ZORRO flight still out there operating Hercs at this very moment as I type - what happens after June. All aboard the Atlas.

[Rugbyref]

Hercules not needed………until we need to evacuate from Sudan!

[Fighterfoto]

Hercules is still in service so reasonable to use it alongside the Atlas. Believe French and Germans also used A400 so there’s no issue with this type of mission.

[Typeflyer]

Hercules not needed………until we need to evacuate from Sudan!

My sentiments entirely - next time, wherever it is, you're on your own!

[Alf]

Hercules not needed………until we need to evacuate from Sudan!

My sentiments entirely - next time, wherever it is, you're on your own!

France and Germany seem to have done OK using the A400, and they can get a lot more people on each flight.

[XWP29]

Shameful the way Government and MOD have decimated the armed forces including the Herc disposal. What’s lost when squadrons are disbanded is not easily replaced when it’s needed and who knows what the future holds. History repeatedly shows that taking freedom for granted is usually pretty short sighted.

[paddyboy]

Well said, m’Lud

[raptor9]

XP. I understand your comments and frustrations, but it must be apparent to you that this country is very strapped for cash, and you must cut your coat according to the cloth that you can afford!.