RNLAF C-130 Hercules - G-988

[Tigerspoon]

oh okay makes sence. thx for the quick info

[Leeuwarden]

Does anyone know why we are getting "normal-sized" C130's.
Can image more cargo space is nice to have...

[mitchell]

Are the C-130H-30 not also normal-size?
The ones that we already got?

[Mickey312]

No, they're longer, as is indicated by the -30 in the designation. The -30 is stretched by 15 feet / 4,6 metre. Or, to quote Wiki:

The C-130H-30 (Hercules C.3 in RAF service) is a stretched version of the original Hercules, achieved by inserting a 100-inch (2.54 m) plug aft of the cockpit and an 80-inch (2.03 m) plug at the rear of the fuselage.

My guess is they weren't available second hand and/or within the budget.

Mickey

[Mark B.]

Does anyone know why we are getting "normal-sized" C130's.
Can image more cargo space is nice to have...

I am not an expert on this one but a RNLAF C-130 crewmember told me once that the stretched versions are heavier then the short versions. Extra weight combined with the same engine power means less weight available for payload. As a result, with the same fuel load the stretched versions can carry more volume but less payload weight.

[Stefan]

Does anyone know why we are getting "normal-sized" C130's.
Can image more cargo space is nice to have...

What I would like to know is if, in the end, the option we chose appears to be cheaper than the obvious one; buying new ones (C-130Js).

Would also like to know who it is we are 'forgetting' to give credit for the pics. As I can conclude these were found on the net but the original photographer is not given credit yet? That is not how we operate here (and elsewhere).

Greetings,
Stefan

[Leeuwarden]

Originals are here: http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6325" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[B.J. van de Maat]

It seems to have toned-down roundels ?

[kiwi]

It seems to have toned-down roundels ?

You are right indeed, a trend the KLu has started and sadly seems to be continuing. Another possibility is that the roundel will be filled in at Woensdrecht.

[mabro]

Toned down roundels were applied to the new C-130's on my request parallel to what KLu Cougars have used. The "old" roundel was more of a bulls-eye, used for easy acquisition. I'm not sure but I think the -30's will also get new toned down roundels when they go in for a new paint job.

On another post: The "normal" C-130 is preferred by us because it can carry more cargo (weight) than a stretched. Also flying wise it is less vulnerable to tail-strikes (less aircraft behind the main wheels) and therefore easier to fly during tactical landings and take-offs. Look at some pictures of the -30's taking off during air power demos and see how close the tail is to striking the ground.
Also the -30's are even harder to find on the second hand market than the "normal" C-130's

Hope to fly the 988 soon (somewhere this year).

[Leeuwarden]

Thanks. I guess your an insider?

[Joris van Boven]

Check his profile I would say......

[Hans Rolink]

Also flying wise it is less vulnerable to tail-strikes (less aircraft behind the main wheels) and therefore easier to fly during tactical landings and take-offs. Look at some pictures of the -30's taking off during air power demos and see how close the tail is to striking the ground.

The tail scrape thing was one of the reasons why the RAF did not convert all standard length Hercules C.1 to stretched Hercules C.3 standard back in the seventies and eighties. Maybe Mabro can confirm, but I remember a statement that it was especially important when operating from unprepared strips.

Hans.

[Leeuwarden]

Check his profile I would say......

Not an insider but inside

[mabro]

To Hans and others interested:

The stretched -30's are mainly useful when cargo volume (opposed to carge weight) is an issue. Since this is rarely the case "normal" C-130's are preferred for almost all operations, but especially tactical and/or unpaved operations. Some unpaved surfaces, when used frequently, develop "rutting". During a landing on rutted surface the main wheels may enter the ruts, thus decreasing the distance between airframe and ground. This is most noticable in -30's since the airframe/ground is already decreased by design.
Also often tactical approaches are steeper than normal approaches, requiring a positive aircraft pitch change before landing. If this manoevre is misjudged the tail can hit the ground, again more on -30's than on "stubbies".

Another factor is the use of flaps, normal (and all tactical) landings use 100% flaps. Sometimes 50% flaps (T/O setting) is used in case of gusty winds and/or crosswind. If for some reason the flap system fails (very rare) a no-flap landing must be performed. The less flaps, the less lift and therefore a higher pitch attitude is required to create to the lift necessary for landing. The higher the pitch attitude the more the airframe/ground clearance of the tail is decreased. Therefore a no-flap landing in a -30 is very vulnerable to tail-strikes. No-flap landinga are only practiced in simulators.

Hope this sheds some light on the issue at hand.

MaBro