Herc Bad Idea
Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:29 pm
This is up there on the list of bad ideas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjUKQCMnX10&mode=related&search=
Shay
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Semper Fortis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjUKQCMnX10&mode=related&search=
Shay
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Semper Fortis
Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:31 pm
Ouch...
Maybe if they deployed them a littler later... maybe sometime after touchdown and not before... that could have been better.
-David
Maybe if they deployed them a littler later... maybe sometime after touchdown and not before... that could have been better.
-David
Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:14 pm
The program was called Credible Sport. It was actually a workable modification. It was intended as a follow on to the failed Eagle Claw rescue mission in 1980...
http://www.spectrumwd.com/c130/articles ... _Sport.htm
http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/databa ... tm?id=1996
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0870637/M/
http://www.spectrumwd.com/c130/articles ... _Sport.htm
http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/databa ... tm?id=1996
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0870637/M/
Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:19 pm
I had several acquaintances who worked on that program.
They have told quite a few very interesting stories about how quickly a program of that importance gets red tape cut. Also, about how scary the Special Forces troops were who were going to perform the mission.
The performance goals of the aircraft were incredible. Something like the nose gear had to clear a 4' obstacle after a ground run of a hundred feet. That was presumably to clear the fence (or wall) around the stadium.
By the way, the takeoff procedure was "takeoff flaps, takeoff trim, 100% power on the turbines, hands and feet off the controls, and push the red button. Wait until "X" knots comes up on the ASI before you touch anything, and oh, by the way, you'll be well into your climb-out at that point."
One of the surviving (somewhat de-modded) airframes is on display at the Warner Robbins Museum in Georgia.
They have told quite a few very interesting stories about how quickly a program of that importance gets red tape cut. Also, about how scary the Special Forces troops were who were going to perform the mission.
The performance goals of the aircraft were incredible. Something like the nose gear had to clear a 4' obstacle after a ground run of a hundred feet. That was presumably to clear the fence (or wall) around the stadium.
By the way, the takeoff procedure was "takeoff flaps, takeoff trim, 100% power on the turbines, hands and feet off the controls, and push the red button. Wait until "X" knots comes up on the ASI before you touch anything, and oh, by the way, you'll be well into your climb-out at that point."
One of the surviving (somewhat de-modded) airframes is on display at the Warner Robbins Museum in Georgia.
Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:25 pm
Learn someth'n new every day. Especially regarding the Herc, a aircraft very near and dear to me.
Shay
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Semper Fortis
Shay
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Semper Fortis
Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:02 pm
Cool video and interesting info.
Since we're on the subject of C-130's...when did the special ops community stop using the foulton recovery system?
John
Since we're on the subject of C-130's...when did the special ops community stop using the foulton recovery system?
John
Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:12 am
early 60's. Before We were working over Vietnam, I think. It was invented around Korea but I don't think our green beanies used it until the 60's. I had a Sgt. Maj. who used to talk about using it to pick up things--but never people- in Vietnam.
Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:52 am
Actually the AFSOC retired the system (Fulton Recovery) from use on their MC-130E's in 1996...
Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:28 am
Thanks for the info guys! 
Say Muddy...you never did reply to my question on the other thread about what unit you were with while stationed in Fort Hood.
John
Say Muddy...you never did reply to my question on the other thread about what unit you were with while stationed in Fort Hood.
John
Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:29 am
They used to demo the Fulton system with an MC-130 at Mildenhall's late, lamented Air Fetes in the 80s / early 90s. Quite impressive, lifting a cable on a balloon, then using it to snatch a dummy by a low-flying Herk.
Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:06 pm
Man...that would be the ultimate thrill ride!!!!
John
Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:05 pm
APG85 wrote:Actually the AFSOC retired the system (Fulton Recovery) from use on their MC-130E's in 1996...
Ooops! I thought he was asking when they started using it
Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:08 pm
jpeters wrote:Thanks for the info guys!
Say Muddy...you never did reply to my question on the other thread about what unit you were with while stationed in Fort Hood.
John
I must have missed it somehow-sorry. I was there with the 5th Infantry Division from Fort Polk. Eventually that became the 2nd AD which left its assets in place in Saudi Arabia (where I got shipped in the process) and eventually the 4th ID. I reflagged three times in one year!
You? 1st Cav or 2nd AD?
Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:58 pm
Discovered after reading the article about the Lockheed-Martin Flying Club meeting featuring the test pilot of the Credible Sport C-130, Armi Armitage, that I knew him from my time in Marietta GA. We went to the same church, but I never knew this story. I knew he was a test pilot for Lockheed.
Small world, eh!
Walt
Small world, eh!
Walt