Hercules Flypast

[Barmaid]

is taking place today to mark the retirement of service of these amazing aircraft.

https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/a-flypast-to-mark-the-forthcoming-retirement-of-the-hercules-from-raf-service/

There is a list of all the places and the rough timings. You may get lucky!

It is OMEN1 on Flightradar.

[bhg481]

My first job, back in the 1960s, was at A&AEE, Boscombe Down; most new RAF aircraft and equipment was tested there before being accepted for service. I have endearing memories of a Hercules reversing, under its own steam, along the runway. A strange sight.

[retrocop]

Fantastic STOL aircraft. I bet many a famine stricken nation were glad to see these coming over the sky-line as well as British evacuees from war torn republics. I wonder if Ukraine has a use for them. I bet the government won't replace them like for like with the Star logistics carrier for Transport Command.

[retrocop]

//I have endearing memories of a Hercules reversing, under its own steam, along the runway. A strange sight.//

That's a fact I was unaware of. I knew they were versatile but how did they achieve that, reversing the pitch of the props, contra-rotating props, undercarriage gearing ?

[naomi24]

Thanks for that, barmaid. How lovely. Fingers crossed we'll be lucky.

[bhg481]

Retro - reverse pitch on the props, I think (i wasn't actually involved with them, just an interested spectator from my office overlooking the runway. All part of the short takeoff/landing.
We also had the first P1127 - became Kestrel, then Harrier. The look on my brother-in-law's face when he saw this jet come screaming round and then stop in mid-air and back up a bit!! Some things you never forget.

[douglas9401]

Reversible propellers.

[retrocop]

When I was a young air cadet I wrote to Hawkers and asked if they had any promo literature. They kindly sent me a photo of the then P1127 and Handley Page sent me a photo of a Whitley. I believe the U.S. marines designated their Harriers with the name Kestrels .We also had the Sea Harriers operated by the Fleet Air Arm.

[bhg481]

This is the UK Kestrel

https://ibb.co/kXn6hMk

and this is the UK Harrier

https://ibb.co/kG2M2Ph

The Kestrel was the development model, the Harrier production. Note the 3-country decals on the Kestrel tail and how the undercarriage moved from wing-tip to centre-wing.

[Barmaid]

I grew up near the Home of the Harrier. Saw them regularly.

Unfortunately, no three ship display for us today, they went quite a long way round us.

[anneasquith]

I’d hope sqad may see this today .

[Ken4155]

I've told this one before, but, as someone who is afraid of heights, i'll never tire of telling it.

On all 3 tours of Ulster, we were transported to and from Belfast in an Hercules. On one occasion, in mid flight, one of the RAF lads strapped something to his belt, pushed a button, and the tail-gate began to lower. At the required height, he sat down and lit up a ciggy, the smell of which drifted over to my ciggy-starved nostrils.

I said i could do with one of those and he immediately stood up, pressed another button, raising the tailgate somewhat. Then he put a belt around my waist, strapped it to the side of the plane, give me a ciggy then lowered the tail-gate once more.

I sat and joined him and, as we both watched the little people scurrying about below us, i remember thinking to myself, "This has got to be the best cigarette i've ever smoked." And i was right:-)