Sorry, Just Couldn't Help Myself!

[Sarg]

That's my girl!

Link Removed

Sarg

 

[Barberian]

In continuous production since 1956... wow. I used to fix some fiberglass parts from C-130's and replaced the rubber (tire/wheel assemblies) at my first command at Pt. Mugu, Ca. back in 86/87.

I didn't know they were still making them.

 

[reddevil1111]

I have jumped out of them a lot. Not fun to crisscross the world in. But its built like a tank!

 

[Sarg]

Yeah Red, and if she weren't, I'd not be here today.

Sarg

 

[Wagon]

Awesome machine. What you can't move with a fleet of those. Wish there was a sea plane version. I yearn for the days of flying boats.

Airfrance had an anniversary brochure a couple years back discribing their 1930's Paris to Saigon service on an AirBoat.

Paris to Marseilles
Hotel
Marseilles to Athens
Hotel
Athens to Cairo
Hotel
Cairo to Dubai
Hotel
Dubai to Bombay
Hotel
Bombay to Rangoon
Hotel
Rangoon to Saigon

Now that's travelling in style. Of course cost about 10000USD today.

 

[Ned]

Awesome machine. Wish there was a sea plane version.

There was, (nearly), Short Sunderland...
But the Herc is unique, been loads of places with a few of my LandRovers (equally iconic). What I loved about them was:
1 - No 'cabin crew' mincing up and own making you behave, just a bloke from the cockpit saying ' C'mon, eat more of these pies!'
2 - With reference to (1), it wasn't a cockpit, it was a bridge!
3 - The safest, most comfortable, and most welcome aircraft I have ever had the pleasure of flying in.
4 - The air-conditioning is crap.

 

[Barberian]

I just remembered. I had the joy(?) of riding in one with my squadron from Key West Fl. to cental Ca. non-stop once after a det. It was 6 or 7 hours I think. I was numb from the waist down siting in the cargo seats and half deaf when I landed. :eek:

 

[Sarg]

EH? WHAT'S THAT YA SAY SONNY? I CAN'T HEAR YA AS I'VE GOT ALMOST 2000HRS IN C-130S. No shit! They used to say after 1000hrs in an "A" model and they gave you a reward....hearing aids.

But I owe my life to the angel. You guys gotta let me tell my war story...We had a cargo of one each whole "butter-bar" sitting very close to the crew entrance door for our trip into Da Lat RVN. We had a very shaky Lt. Col. copilot that some how talked his way back into flying status AND thank whatever spirits there are a "Stan Eval" (think Air Force Top Gun) for an AC.

The shaky Col. was to make the landing and did O.K. up until he reversed the props. He missed a throttle, which immediately threw the aircraft off the runway into the grass apron. I was perched in the right para door and was watching my aircraft going sideways at 150 knots. While I was telling myself that I was gonna die in just a few seconds, the AC grabbed all the throttles and slammed them to the the panel.

The old girl shuddered, went airborne again, the AC kicked hard rudder, we bounced on the runway once and then were airborne again. The butter bar and I kept putting out our Zippo lighters we were shaking so hard. We didn't even raise the landing gear for fear they wouldn't come down again. It's my understanding the bird was flown all the way back to Georgia to check out the structural integrity.

The L.C. got drummed out of the flight program, the "top gun" got some sort of medal and I got to live quite a while longer.

Just one of many reasons I get chills when I hear her engines overhead.

Sarg

 

[reddevil1111]

I have always loved the Grumann Duck single prop amphib. My #1 fav. aircraft.

Having jumped put of a few different planes and helos I will say my least fav. id the Chinook Helo. it has a 4x4 hole (they remove a deck plate) and you are expected to jump through the hell hole. I ALWAYS caught my helmet on the edge of the hole. Im surprised I never took off my head.
The coolest and scariest plane was the osprey. First few out in the Fleet had fabric sides. We used to run a 14 man Zodiac up into one while still in the boat. very fast exfil in that.
Still had to jump to get out but getting in was always a mad dash. Few stories of sliding all the way to the cockpit in the boat due to speeds.... lol good memories of being scared shitless.

 

[Wagon]

Unfortunately all the talk about flying brings up the thoughts of idealization of the "end" for me.

Before I cracked up. I flew allot. It was getting to the point where I was even starting to be treated "special". SO after the panic and anxiety attacks of airport security, check in and the lines. I would get into my business class seat, order a couple, three drinks ("but Sir its only an hour flight and we have not left yet".... "so what.") and start hoping for the worst.

The thoughts would go.
"Boy I hope this f*cker crashes today"
"Is that a crack in the engine, I really hope so"

During rough weather or take off's and landings, I was happy as a pig in mud.

"Stewardess.....drink!" and then start thinking. "I really hope this is the one"

I didn't realize I was sick, obviously not normal, but not sick.

No military flying for me unfortunately. My boondockers were nailed to the deck....Starboard side bridgewing.

What exactly is the purpose of the "Osprey", Dan. Kind of seems like that "Littoral Combat Vessel" they just came up with. No two are alike and you just struggle to figure out what its for and why it can't be done by something else. The only other time I've heard the Osprey mentioned is when they crash.

Wagon

 

[Wagon]

double post...again. Mt internet must be provided by a coat hanger with aluminium foil wrapped in interesting shapes on it............ dangling from a piece of copper wiring. Hate it.

 

[reddevil1111]

The Osprey was the answer for the current helo. The outboard motors rotate to allow flight like a plane. It carries roughly the same amount as a Chinook and is quiet, faster,allows level flight like a plane and can land on water as well. Its all you ever dream a helo/ plane can do for Marines. It has only one glaring issue. It crashes and flips over a LOT.
Back to the Duck.... mmnnnn..... baby what a sexy plane!