RAF's 'amazing' Hercules retired after almost 57 years of service

The Royal Air Force has said goodbye to the Hercules aircraft after nearly 57 years of dedicated service.
In a ceremony held at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, tributes were led by the Princess Royal. The retirement of the Hercules, known as the workhorse of the RAF, closes a remarkable chapter in RAF history.
The event also commemorated the standing down of No. 47 Squadron which operated the Hercules since its maiden flight in 1966.
More: www.forces.net/services/raf/w...
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[@lawrencemartin1113]

A truly sad and tragic day for the Royal Air Force and the UK as a nation. The gap will not be filled for many years to come and we will be the poorer for it. Such a blinkered and short sighted decision by the bean counters and suits. Thank you and good luck to all those air and ground crews who have served with these aircraft.

[@corruptcape2776]

What do you mean by the gap will not be filled for many years?

[@Chips-Dubbo]

@@corruptcape2776 The only aicraft that can replace a Hercules is another Hercules.

[@corruptcape2776]

@@Chips-Dubbo well not entirely, no. The french have been doing alright without them for a number of years, the paratrooper and SOF forces issues were worked around with their C-17 and A400M's. I think it will take time for the RAF to adjust but we'll manage to make do, as we have for a long time.

[@lawrencemartin1113]

@@corruptcape2776 Just that the A400M doesn't and can't do what a C130 does. Eventually maybe...but as at the present time, it leaves a niche gap for specific types of ops.

[@corruptcape2776]

@@lawrencemartin1113 It does, but with training it will improve. Week long exercises will reveal operational issues and then allow implements to fix it.

[@allgood6760]

Great plane!.. we still fly the C130H with our RNZAF... Princess Anne visited NZ in 2023.. thanks from NZ 👍✈️🇳🇿

[@DaScorpi0n]

Glad we are getting the C-130J's to replace the H's. I think we're expecting them in 2024 💪🇳🇿

[@Monkey-ud8bw]

Give it a few years and someone at the MoD will realise that this was a massive mistake, and will end up buying a whole new fleet.

[@johnallen7807]

Remind you of the Nimrod MR4 or the Harrier?

[@timmurphy5541]

@@johnallen7807 Nimrod was a dog because the airframes were all old and different sizes and it had a lot of problems.

[@c00sto]

@@johnallen7807 Nimrod got binned due to it's reliability and tendency to murder its crew. Harriers were a necessary to keep the tonka fleet going. Had it not been for RAPTOR the Tornado would have been chopped.

[@geoffstainforth352]

I remember Gulf War 1 when they had to hire Belfasts because a twin rig Bowser was to long for a Herc !

[@matthewbaynham6286]

It wasn't a mistake as long as you don't have any military conflicts overseas and no one in the military needs to transport anything large overseas. After all when was the last time the UK military needed to transport anything in these.

[@bobfreestone1752]

It has the aerodynamic qualities of a housebrick, but it's beautiful. As an aircraft inspector, spent years on the outer wing replank, centre wing rebuild and fuselage stretches. Bit like a twenty year old broom, with two handles and five heads to it's credit. They'd go on forever. God preserve us from the congenital halfwits that run our defence.

[@Ugasgit90]

100% spot on 🇬🇧

[@AnthonySpringall]

Pay more taxes and we can have some more Hercs.

[@richardthomson4693]

@@AnthonySpringall thats the problem you have hercs but you are selling them. That all said consider 11 to 15 countries have expressed interest in buying them you will be selling them for a decent amount and not scrap price

[@johnallen7807]

Amen to that! But we need the top brass to speak out. If the CGS went public and resigned against these constant cuts we might, just might, make them think.

[@1chish]

@@johnallen7807 Forgive me John but what 'cuts' are these? 1. We have 22 x new A400M aircraft that are replacing the 15 x Hercules, a gain of 7 airframes. 2. They are individually more capable: C-130 Hercules: A400M Troops - 92 116 Payload - 19,070 Kgs 37,000 Kgs Length - 97 Ft 148 range - 2,850 Nm 4,100 Nm 3. We have more airframes being ordered. 4. We also have 14 x new Voyager tanker / freight aircraft and the 8 x C-17s we had before. So to what 'cuts' are you referring?

[@tflashtube]

One of the greatest aircraft in the history of aviation!

[@babboon5764]

..... Negated by some of the most incompetent Politicians & Civil Servants in British History

[@gazof-the-north5708]

It is the greatest. No other aircraft has been around for as long, been exported to so many countries or been utilised in so many different roles!

[@aviationlba747]

@@gazof-the-north5708 I guess someone hasn’t heard of the DC-3?

[@gilbert7794]

Another huge stupid mistake getting rid of the only reliable transport aircraft.

[@buzzkitchen6606]

I agree with you 100%

[@buzzkitchen6606]

Britain trying to keep up with America

[@ivancho5854]

Yet another incredibly stupid decision. MoD should be renamed Ministry of Morons. I bet some account got a bonus.

[@465maltbie]

@@buzzkitchen6606 Yea we only have about 400 of them left, I dont know what we will do with them all? And we are building more, still in production. Have a great weekend. :D

[@user-ll4lf5go1m]

@Wacko you cannot just pull one out of storage in a few minutes. It takes days or weeks to get a aircraft flight worthy again, not counting the aircrews needed to be re qualified, so yes it IS a big deal.

[@robman2095]

Australia took delivery of their first Hercules 65 years ago! But they are now looking at buying 24 new ones to replace the 12 existing ones and to complement the C-17s. So still valued down in Australia.

[@davegoldsmith4020]

The end of an Era, I worked on the original C-130H at Lyneham, in the eighties, brilliant aircraft.

[@bradleywilkinson4246]

That must have been quality

[@johnbobson1557]

Me too... BLSS

[@davegoldsmith4020]

@@johnbobson1557 Same Heavy RECs then Primary team.

[@davegoldsmith4020]

@@bradleywilkinson4246 I had a great two years.

[@lsnowy7758]

Flew in them. Lived in Calne Wiltshire and they flew over the house to land at RAF Lyneham. I watched the C130 as it flew over with Terry Waite. Then watched it land on TV with the noise of the engines on reverse thrust coming from Lyneham!

[@lumo1001]

The sound of a Herc going over where we live at 200ft late at night! Gods speed from the Mendip’s & will be sadly missed!

[@richardshearwoodport]

I saw this aircraft fly over and remarked that I hadn't seen a C130 for ages. I flew in a Belfast as a kid in the 60's and was photographed in a Herc, as an Army Cadet, for an Army recruitment drive, but never got to fly in one. What a great workhorse.

[@Whatthechuckttv]

As a former C-130 loadmaster with the USAF, This makes me very very sad. We all know the days are numbered for every aircraft but we never want to see it happen to OUR aircraft. The C-130 is still serving proudly in the USAF for the foreseeable future.

[@jamescoupland4673]

I was 17 years old when I first jumped out of the side door of a Herc and loved seeing it flying in formation on a Brigade drop. My old Battalion 3 Para don’t even do drops involving that amount of planes. I jumped out of the now retired C-141 Starlifter and the C-17 Globemaster with the Yanks but the not with the RAF

[@paralogregt]

Same as me first flight in a plane was a jump onto weston on the green.

[@pete9397]

First aircraft i ever flew in a C130 from RAF Coltishall to Laarbruch for a TACEVAL 1979. Fantastic piece of kit will be extremely difficult to replace such an icon.

[@bigred5287]

Ridiculous decision to retire it frankly.

[@VanderlyndenJengold]

It's what we voted for....

[@dc-4ever201]

It's been replaced with the Airbus A400M which came into service a while back.

[@1chish]

Nothing ridiculous at all. The fleet is over 25 years old, had a hard life and now needs heavy costly maintenance. Its why we bought a fleet of new more capable A400Ms

[@stevemccarty6384]

I guess one can replace one HurkeyBird with three C-47s. Might work.

[@davidty2006]

@@1chish Last i checked a turboprop is cheaper to maintain and run than a jet engine.

[@Marchy22]

was an honor to be part of this parade, the herc will be missed

[@rhannay39]

honor???

[@walkingandadventures6114]

RAF is now being led by a bunch of ignorant idiots.

[@ancientmachine9070]

hat

[@SJC818]

Let's hope they get more for them than the Harriers 😢

[@jonofalltradesmasterofnone832]

I doubt it! Sore point with me the harriers sell off saw the end of my fathers 35 years association with aircraft and his subsequent early retirement, he was never same afterward.

[@murray871]

Germany recognises that there is a serious gap in capabilties (STOL etc) between the A400M and it's precursor, the C160. So for the first time since the inception of the Bundeswehr and the introduction of the C130, Germany decided to purchase C130s and set up a joint unit with the French Air Force to operate it and reduce costs. The UK on the other hand just cuts the C130 all together and shuts down the specialized squadron. This will initiate the process of eradicating hands-on C130 expertise in the UK, which stands out in the European NATO fraction. I can understand the underlying frustration which can be sensed in the interviews in this clip.

[@sasas845]

Uhm, the C-130 and C-160 have pretty different perforance characteristics..

[@murray871]

@@sasas845 Yes they have, but they realised, that the A400 lacks essencial STOL / unpaved runway capabilities and felt that neither the C27, C295 or KC390 were viable options to close this gap right now. They did feel that this gap needed to be closed quickly and that the C130 can compelment the strong A400 fleet.

[@traceynorcross5666]

My dad was a navigator on the C 130 1971-82, as a kid I lived at RAF lyneham and would fall a sleep at night listening to them flying and brewing up on the airfield, years later I would be jumping out of them for a few years, this aircraft will always be iconic to me.

[@andywebster111]

Yes sad day,I marshalled the very first Charlie to join squadron service and the first AF/BF on it at RAF Lyneham in 1967,what a KITE.

[@OldhamSteve52]

Came home in one from Cyprus back in 81. Only seems like yesterday. Happy days.

[@reubenlawford8362]

I was at Thorney Island when they first came into service with 242OCU. Very impressed.

[@lawrencemartin1113]

Much of my childhood holiday time, was spent sailing out of Thorney Island and my pure delight was to watch the sand and green camouflaged Hercules and Andover aircraft, with those white cockpit roofs, flying over us. I used to stand on the banks of the basins near the boat yard where we kept our boat, and stand under the approaching aircraft, waving like mad. I was often rewarded by a flash of landing lights, a wing rock, and on several occasions an arm clad with white gloves, waving madly back!! When the sun was out, the shadow would flash across the hills and ground towards me and it was so exciting as it flicked over me! Pure joy for an aviation obsessed small boy. I used to love watching the approaches with an engine shut down, occasionally two! There were also bright yellow Air-Sea Rescue Whirlwind and Wessex helicopters. We would often see them training with a lifeboat practicing winches out in the Solent. Very happy memories!

[@hb1338]

@@lawrencemartin1113 Nostalgia ain't what it used to be.

[@ihmcallister]

Retiring here, but the C-130 is still produced by Lockheed in Georgia after an incredible 65 years, and over 2,500 airframes. The US Air Force and many others are still taking delivery of factory-fresh examples.

[@ant647448336]

I've never understood the MoD logic in retiring the C130. More reliable than the A400s.

[@ihmcallister]

@@ant647448336 I agree, they should have upgraded to brand new examples, like the USAF and many others are busy doing.

[@kieranodonoghue]

Superb plane, built with simplicity and quality

[@HMS1Blake]

On time. On target. As always. A great tribute to a great aircraft and squadron.

[@c00sto]

It's always a shame to see an airframe go, but we can only hope Airbus sort the issues with the A400 so the loss of capacity can be mitigated quickly.

[@1chish]

What 'loss of capacity' is that and what 'issues' does the A400 have now?

[@dinger40]

Lyneham to Patrick AFB, 13 hours in the air with an overnight stopover in Gander. Was worth it for a couple of days in Cocoa beach during midspring break. Gander was 2ft deep in snow.

[@areilly76]

Patrick (now Space Force Base) still has the 920th Air Rescue wing operating new HC-130Js. Thankfully the Herc will remain in service and will continue to be manufactured and modernized for many years to come.

[@basingstoke63]

I was at , RAF Lyneham when there were four Squadrons of Hercs . A very sad day .

[@martiniv8924]

I heard one a few nights ago, distinctive sound 👌🏻😎

[@binjuice59]

Gonna miss the "fatty Albert" travelled in one a few times during my service pity that the RAF choose to retire the old workhorse instead of upgrading it similar to the A10 programme in the US it will be sadly missed 😢

[@MartintheTinman]

The C-130J is still in production

[@mikalnaylor]

One of the UKs C130Js wound back up in the hands of the Navy in the US. Its mission to haul the Blue Angels crews around (Crew Chiefs/maintenance personnel) the name of the C130: "Fat Albert." :)

[@MartintheTinman]

@@mikalnaylor how can it end up back in the hands of the US Navy when it wasn't from the US Navy? They were purchased new

[@mikalnaylor]

The navy purchased it used. its been a lonnnnng day :D lol I heard "back in the hands" on a show on TV and transposed it here :D lol!!

[@marky59]

used to love being flown in these - so many happy memories. :)

[@WyeFlyAviation]

‘Good night sweet prince’

[@Cr1byn]

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!

[@WyeFlyAviation]

@@Cr1byn it does seem awfully premature to be killing them off

[@imeeky_4635]

whilst france and germany (other nato members) are buying there own fleets of c-130Js because the A400 will never have the capabillties the c-130j can achieve, the uk decides to retire them

[@itsjohndell]

Here in Tucson, AZ athe AAMARG (aka The Boneyard) there is a section one half mile square, or more, with C-130's nose to tail, wingtip to wingtip in dry preservation. They can be returned to service within two weeks time. In case of a major conflict this is a huge logistics reserve. However more likely they will be parted out for currently operating aircraft going forward now that production has ceased. It will be serving for many years to come.

[@tiacd3780]

There are still new Herc's being built, there are 5 currently being built for the RNZAF

[@itsjohndell]

@@tiacd3780 Not sorry to hear that but to my knowledge Lockheed shut the production line down a year ago. Backlog perhaps. Hope you are right. Cheers!

[@cp4512]

@@itsjohndellI think Lockheed still has orders for at least another 5 years of production for brand new C-130Js. It definitely hasn’t closed the production lines yet!

[@gholfin2124]

I worked on the Js at Lyneham on JLSS and then 24/30 eng sqn. I left a long time ago but it is so sad to see these aircraft sold off and as for disbanding the brilliant 47 sqn, well that’s absolute madness. Which fixed wing squadron is now inserting SF troops into countries? Apparently There will be one last Flypast from the J on the 14th June, leaving brize at ten am and flying around the country passing over lyneham at approx 1634

[@robandcheryls]

As I’m watching this video 🇬🇧 , an RCAF 🇨🇦 CC-130 flew overhead. I have spent dozens of hours on Hurcs and have very fond memories. 🇨🇦 Veteran

[@fastfreddy19641]

I understand that newer aircraft need to be used but why the gap? In times like these we don't need a gap in capability.

[@alloydog613]

You lucky, lucky plane. I'm 57 and still have another ten years before I can retire!

[@herkload]

I'm not British, but as a C-130 Loadmaster seeing the herk getting retired makes me sad

[@andywilliams7323]

It was a proven disastrous mistake getting rid of the Nimrod and the Harrier. It's also a disastrous mistake to get rid of the Hercules. Why are the UK Government and MOD so foolishly determined to continually weaken the UK's armed forces capability?

[@stephengilmore2741]

The Hercules, I'd agree with, and the Nimrod. But the Harrier..? Come on, man. It's a legendary aircraft but it doesn't have a place in modern warfare. What role would it play in a war like Ukraine? Too slow, sensors aren't up to the job, too light in armament. Sorry, but we needed to move on - just as every Harrier-equipped nation is.

[@andywilliams7323]

@@stephengilmore2741 Yes we do need to move on from the Harrier now in 2023. But we should not have done so back in 2010. Wrongfully the Harrier was (bodge jobbed in as) the UK's only Naval air defence and attack aircraft. It was very far from ideal, especially in later years. But retiring it in 2010 left the Royal Navy with absolutely no worthwhile air defence or attack capability whatsoever. For 10 years, it made the Royal Navy 100% reliant on other nations for its air protection. That was a monumentally foolish thing the UK Government did. It won't be until 2025 at the earliest that the big gap left behind by retiring the Harriers will finally be completely filled.

[@Chips-Dubbo]

Its all a conspiracy to slowly weaken the west's military defences. I imagine China or Russia have been playing the long game since the end of the Cold War.

[@mattyoungs3627]

We sold the gr9s to the US marines, they have plenty of life left in them. They would have been perfect to use for the carriers before the F35s but Gov doesnt use logic does it

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

A truly iconic aircraft which will be sadly missed. Yet again, another poor decision from myopic bean counters. We will no doubt come to regret this decision within a very short space of time. I flew across the Atlantic in a USAF Air National Guard Herc C-130 in the late 90's on route to Camp Ripley, I participated in an exchange. It was an experience to fly across the pond sitting on the cargo net 'seats,' by no means uncomfortable. I've also had the pleasure of being buzzed at very low level by Hercs from sneaky beaky 79 Sqn. They use Castlerigg Hall campsite as a nav point for their nap of the earth night flying exercises. About four years ago, I was wild camping on the west shore of Dewent, not far from Cat Bells. At around 0030 hrs, I was drifting off to sleep when a 79 Sqn Herc came roaring across the lake and flew directly over my pos. I looked up and the sky above was filled by C-130, it was no more than 200ft above me, if that. Awesome experience.

[@leonardcrane6689]

Fare thee well proud warrior and thanks .

[@nicolachambers9409]

I salute...

[@Steve-bo6ht]

It's a fantastic aircraft and for it's versatility alone on the modern battlefield should still warrant more life in the C-130 and with the J variant with it's four six blade Rolls Royce AE2100D3 engines gave the Hercules a new lease of life only some years ago, Yet again we have a situation in the MOD on pen pushers pulling the strings and weakening our capability to get boots and machinery on the ground whenever a situation should arise and it's harming the not only the RAF but the UK military in general.

[@iansouthward7991]

I flew a few times on a herc for parachute training and short journeys to SHAPE or Trondheim for NATO training. Tac take offs and landings were great and sometimes we would ask the captain is one possible, most times we were told no but he did one anyway. I loved this aircraft - but I loved the VC10 more.

[@GRFC1872]

And you were just up for a brew in the cockpit chilling with the captain,stfu Walter

[@wessexdruid7598]

Even sitting facing backwards.

[@paulgray2387]

I grew up near Brize and remember them doing there circuits.

[@karen12359339]

Typical of this government to reduce the capability of the RAF in times of growing hostility in Europe how are we supposed to deploy the military assets for any future conflict if we haven't got the ability to do the job

[@ndystevens4051]

How the hell can you retire the 'J's, they weren't old - flew on a brand new one to Goose Bay in 2008 - these birds go on forever.

[@johnnyboyo33]

God Bless Princess Ann 💖💖

[@thisisadebrown]

Like the Harriet, this will go down in the annals of history as one of the greatest mistakes, the air forces ever made, which it seems to be making more of all the time these days

[@jeanhawken4482]

Insane not having them replaced

[@KennethKustren-lr6tg]

GENERAL : "HAPPY RETIREMENT M'LADY !" C-130J : "HOLD MY PALLET !¡"

[@jimmiller6713]

its a shame such a capable air craft is no longer needed im not a pilot but i have a friend in the RCAF he use to fly these nothing but good to say about them

[@CrusaderSports250]

Saw three fly over Dalbeattie yesterday, 14 June, got a photo on the phone that unfortunately is only good enough to identity the type, an aircraft from my childhood and will be sadly missed.

[@bradleywilkinson4246]

I live near Matlock and have loved seeing the Hercules flying down the Derwent valley! I live on a hill and it flys practically level with the house! Looking forward to seeing the A400 doing the route.

[@gilbert7794]

The A400’is a pile of bolts and a far worse unreliable aircraft compared to the Hercules, you probably see the same one flying around in circles as the rest are grounded awaiting spares.

[@sasas845]

​@@gilbert7794 Germany operates a pretty decent fleet of A400Ms. And while I was on a vacation near a Luftwaffe airbase a while ago they were quite busy flying god knows what around so they appear to work pretty well (A400M looks and sounds magnificent by the way...).

[@Jeffybonbon]

at a time like this its it wise

[@chrisburke624]

How so?

[@Jeffybonbon]

Europe is close to war

[@rachelpenny5165]

I used to see it fly past our house on a regular basis. I grew up on the edge of Dartmoor. We would also see the RAF jets dive bomb our house. I always liked the hercules flying past.

[@michaelminers2612]

Madness

[@jameskellard5075]

Must be the end of parachute capability for 16 Air Assault Brigade as well. Guess the Parachute Regiment will need a new name and cap badge, perhaps a minibus with cropped wings

[@dc-4ever201]

Not at all, they'll jump out of A400 M or C17's now.

[@Maxisnotcool]

Just use the C-17 until the new plane arrives

[@petegarnett7731]

A400M has considerably more capacity, including for paras. Higher payload, better short and soft field capacity quicker handling and turnround, and only costs about the same to run. Already in service with the RAF. Catch up James.

[@Maxisnotcool]

It was a old airplane and it is very well known the RAF need to change for the better so this was the right thing for it

[@Maxisnotcool]

@@petegarnett7731 is I thought it was coming in the service in 2030

[@ThatCarGuy]

I see why the US doesnt classify the UK as a tier 1 fighting force anymore. Many posters have said it perfect, what will fill the gap?

[@stephengilmore2741]

Such a stupid decision... retire an aircraft when the replacement still isn't available in the right numbers. Only 6 more A-400s ordered, when really at least 10 more are needed, if not 15. And that paltry number won't be coming for at least half a dozen years. Nothing they do makes any sense.

[@flybobbie1449]

One did a low pass over our airfield yesterday, was that a final hurrah trip around the country?

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi, I watched an inquiry taking place where the people procuring the replacement aircraft were questioned about the gap between the last of the Hercs leaving the service and the new aircraft arriving. It turned out that there is a bit of a gap where Transport Command will have no aircraft to support the Special Forces! Bit of a blunder in the planning but they hoped that nothing happens during this “non availability” period. If this was not just a cockup it was made worse in that the procurement agents did not follow the trials and tribulations that French had gone through months ago so made the same mistakes. Kipling said it a century ago and the poor Tommy gets shafted again. Personnel not fit for purpose? Just asking! Cheers mate. Harera

[@6panel300]

Not the first time for it to happen. It was the same with the Harrier and also with our aircraft carriers.

[@spuds416]

I'm sure America would "Assist" the UK if Transports are needed for operations

[@pierevojzola9737]

@@spuds416 you cant plan on hope!

[@tango6nf477]

Its what happens when totally ignorant so called politicians are making decisions based on zero knowledge of the subject.

[@johnallen7807]

Despite a recent upgrade that has given it a further 12 yrs of service life and leaves the Special Forces without a tactical airlift capability! Perhaps if the RAF stopped worrying about "equality & diversity" we might get an air force capable of defending the country.

[@VanderlyndenJengold]

Your arguement is absurd, you do know that don't you? Equality and diversity have nothing to do with losing yet another system prematurely.

[@johnallen7807]

@@VanderlyndenJengold Why? If the top management i.e. Air Chief Marshal Wigton are focusing on not allowing "useless white male pilots" to be recruited then keeping the aircraft the RAF need to do their job is not going to be a priority. I have jumped from the Hercules many times and there is no other aircraft, certainly not the A400M that can land in places it can. I'm English, what are you?

[@Maxisnotcool]

Too right

[@johnallen7807]

@@Maxisnotcool Rt.Hon. Ben Wallace, MP. Secretary of State for Defence, Ministry of Defence, Whitehall, London,SW1A 2HB. Dear Mr.Wallace, 03 May 2023 Illegal RAF recruitment policy. Earlier this year I wrote to the Chief of the Air Staff to point out that his reported policy of rejecting white male recruits in the name of "diversity" was in my opinion illegal. I understand that the Head of Recruitment, a female Group Captain has already resigned in protest for the same reason. On 10 March I received a reply from the Air Command Secretariat (copy enclosed) where they assured me that "the RAF recruitment is open to all and selection is based on merit". Since then further emails have leaked saying they must stop choosing "useless white male pilots". From this I can only draw one of two conclusions, the first, he was lying about selecting on merit or, second, the recruiters are ignoring "merit" to hit a "diversity" target. Either way it is a complete shambles and I can only echo Tobias Ellwood and say that I too think the wrong person resigned! What in God's name are "diversity" targets doing in the Armed Forces anyway? Continuous Conservative defence cuts have left us with an Army smaller than at the time of Waterloo, a Navy with 19 major surface units and an air force with 6 frontline fighter squadrons. The last thing they need is some "box ticking" exercise putting off the few people that still might want to join. I look forward to your reply in the near future. I shall be interested to see if he replies. 47 Squadron were the Special Forces squadron with unmatched skills, I've landed one in the pitch black with just 4 blocks of Hexamine yet this is all being thrown away. Just like we pulled all forces out of Germany only to have to go back a couple of years later, Germany to Estonia v UK to Estonia which is quicker?

[@Lectric_Blue]

@@VanderlyndenJengold Focus of attention. Focus of effort. Focus of planning. Focus of resources. They're all in the wrong place. Result = poor strategic decision making. That is the point.

[@gasgaslex_photos]

How about mentioning what aircraft is replacing the Hercules , that would be good reporting.

[@stuartmcmahon8870]

I saw the other day, doing a parachute drop run on SPTA the other day, didnt realise it could have been the last time :(

[@mt5144]

Less Aircraft for the RAF, Sadly the services over the pass 10 years lost most of its Military Aircraft including the Harrier, Jaguar, Hawk T1(Exception of the Red Arrows team), Raytheon Sentinel, Nimrod, Tornado, BAe 125 & 146, VC10 & Tristar Aircraft & Now the C130J which has only been in service since year November 1999, the Service is a shadow of its former self.

[@vman7321]

Flown in one in 1989 in Tasmania, RAAF was called in to transport civilians in 1989 from Tasmania to Victoria during a National Commercial Pilot strike , Tasmania is an island state so the passenger ferry was not sufficient for ongoing movements of necessary travel.

[@Firebrand55]

I worked on the C130 from 1967 for 12 years. It replaced, belatedly, the arthritic Beverley and Hasting, two old dears that tried hard, with the best of aircrew but were inadequate for the then task...today's military planners now show the same tired listlessness as the two venerable transports. The retired Hercs are in perfect working order, maintained by the RAF's finest ground crew....and are dumped!!...the shinies blunder again. PS Shiny: an office person who sits so long at a desk, their trouser bottoms wear thin....

[@TomBrown-ij3jk]

I see 130 can do so many jobs that other planes just can’t do! I think it’ll be back🙏

[@MrAlwaysBlue]

I flew in one with air cadets in 1980.

[@garyreid7865]

running down our forces

[@jeffmarlow9161]

Always felt safe in a herculean.

[@Taketimeout3]

I remember the superb Airfix model that i lusted after when i was ten in 1969. That and the 747 model too. Crikey, what a great time to be a kid. Banana splits, potty putty and Groundhog stickers Dunlop would send you if you wrote to them asking for some . Happy days

[@CrusaderSports250]

Still have a groundhog sticker, unstuck to anything, and got the Hercules model in the brown and light stone finish they used to have, together with the series one Land Rover, (the only model of a Landy for many years), and Bristol Bloodhound missile, all made with more enthusiasm than skill, but loved despite that.

[@jasonga]

Had so much fun in those planes…… shame to see them go

[@cjtathome]

We didn’t have enough lift to carry out a NEO in Sudan only weeks ago and were now retiring one of the most successful airframes of all time ? Has the A400 been cleared for the full spectrum of operations that the C130 has ? I really respect Ben Wallace but this is entirely premature and especially at a time of such instability.

[@jameskellard5075]

No the RAF held a trial for static line para drops and immediately refused to clear the aircraft for any operational parachuting. They also refuse to clear the C17. Both aircraft have been cleared by other nations

[@cjtathome]

@@jameskellard5075 - and SL parachuting is only one capability

[@brucegillies4798]

Private firm will buy them mod will realise they need them and somebody will make shed loads of money

[@spamcan777]

Farewell to the mighty Hercules. It will be missed.

[@salparadise1220]

So, to recap - it works perfectly well, crew are trained on it, they can be kept running. So lets get rid of them and replace them with something bought from the private sector that will be 3 years late, 10 times over budget, won't work properly and we won't be allowed to repair them because they're not ours, we just rent them and the contract says that if we try to repair them that we become instantly liable for a full recall, strip down and rebuild of the entire fleet.

[@christinegracejohn]

❤❤❤❤

[@tiago2946]

Any possibility for the RAF to consider KC-390 to replace Hercules in the near future?

[@gilbertodias8117]

21 batallion Parachut regiment Portugal, we never forget this incredible airplane, in portugal still operacional but new airplanes coming.

[@dave4728]

Thats both the Aircraft types I worked on in the mob now retired (along with the tonka). I'm feeling very old now.

[@barriebutterworth475]

Very sad day.

[@jonofalltradesmasterofnone832]

I have rented a cottage in highland Perthshire for many years on the side of a glen and still am amazed that they used to fly at low level past so low you could see the other side of the glen over them, amazing plane Very sad day another mistake I’m sure the government buy something ten times more expensive and no where as reliable or even maintainable in the theatre of war. It reminds me of the stupidity of removing the Harriers and the support ships in favour of the F35 and 1 carrier over priced and underwhelming. The UK government just don’t Learn. Jon.

[@arrivingone]

Doesn't make sense when New Zealand is getting brand new C130J-30 Hercules next year?

[@Debaucherousgeek]

Thanks so much for sending your HERCs out in style friends. One of the greatest aircraft the U.S. has ever produced. Not at all sure the A-400 can "fill its shoes" but we'll see. We're still producing HERCs, 21st century variants just so you guys know. Let the MoD know?!?!?

[@joeydr1497]

Wait what I saw one flying just a few weeks ago.

[@Chips-Dubbo]

The only aicraft that can replace a Hercules is another Hercules. Terrible, shortsighted decision, its the 2010 SDR all over again!

[@drewwilliams6888]

Can someone explain, what are our airborne troops going to jump out of now? Are they going to get any practice, until the replacement joins the ranks? Are we going to borrow another country's planes, (probably Hercules)? until the replacements arrive?

[@johnbobson1557]

Well they could use the C-17 but I think there's a moratorium on fuel plus the troopers might get hurt on landing so the lardy Toms now just sit around at inclusion lectures and play on iphones

[@1chish]

Jeeez some folks .... they have been training on the A400M for some years. We have 22 of them and the first arrived in 2014.... smh

[@jameskellard5075]

@@1chish NOT CLEARED FOR PARACHUTING SEE DEFENCE SELECT COMMITTEE HEARING HELD LAST WEEK

[@1chish]

@@jameskellard5075 No need to shout James and I fear you are not being totally honest or maybe you misread something. So lets see what a Government Minister reported to The House shall we? Alex Chalk, Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, said: “On current planning, the first clearance for low-level parachuting is anticipated in April 2023. The aircraft is already cleared for high altitude parachuting.” All testing, safety and practical trials were conducted in late 2022 by 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team jumping onto Salisbury Plain. Source: Defence Journal dated March 17, 2023.

[@JammyDodger45]

@James - you're wrong and weirdly angry. The aircraft is cleared there is just a lag in getting aircrew and PJIs through the approval system.

[@rossnolan2883]

RIP 🫡🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Cruor34]

Not a UK Citizen, I see a lot of people angry about this decision. What is thier reasoning, and what will it be replaced with? Is the replacement easier to maintain, carry a heavier load, faster, more fuel efficient?

[@petegarnett7731]

YES

[@flycornwall]

Ridiculous, absolute buffoonery getting rid of the Herc

[@Adrian-qb1tp]

Shortsightedness by bean cruncher's that sit behind desks in Whitehall, they did this with the Nimrod, Harrier, Aircraft Carriers and now the Hercules, they've learned nothing from these errors. This leaves us with a huge asset and capability gap in how our forces operate around the world and how they operate in theatre, a very sad day for the RAF and the nation.

[@stevewight2000]

Whats the replacement?

[@dc-4ever201]

A400M which came into service a while back.

[@tombeer9]

Why are they retiring the c130-j? Isn't it supposed to be the latest version of the Hercules? What will the replacement be?

[@MCMLXXXIV1984]

We miss our C-160 Transall alot. Its predecessor is only better on paper.

[@Tripl3blue]

BIG MISTAKE! we will miss the Hercules massively especially if it all kicks off to the next stage in eastern Europe

[@tommy4244]

So what is replacing it?

[@mario3804]

Wow our C-130s are still flying not sure what the RAF is thinking.

[@steelpanther9568]

Airbus A400M Atlas The Airbus A400M Atlas is a European four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military (now Airbus Defence and Space) as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The A400M is sized between the C-130 and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III; it can carry heavier loads than the C-130 and can use rough landing strips. In addition to its transport capabilities, the A400M can perform aerial refueling and medical evacuation when fitted with appropriate equipment. The A400M's maiden flight, originally planned for 2008, took place on 11 December 2009 from Seville Airport, Spain. Between 2009 and 2010, the A400M faced cancellation as a result of development programme delays and cost overruns; however, the customer nations chose to maintain their support for the project. A total of 174 A400M aircraft had been ordered by eight nations by July 2011. In March 2013, the A400M received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. The first aircraft was delivered to the French Air Force in August 2013. Let’s see how these will make a difference to the RAF, now that the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules have been retired. 🇬🇧RAF, 47 Squadron🇬🇧