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RAF Hercules

A forum for discussing all things related to MILITARY AVIATION including Military Aviation news. No off-topic discussions here please.
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fatherfaff
Posts: 337
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:33 pm
Location: Leeds area

RAF Hercules

Post by fatherfaff » Sat Jun 25, 2022 12:56 pm

I'm sure I read last year on Fighter Control that the RAF Herc fleet was being reduced to 3 however I have seen at least 4 this year - ZH865/868/869/889. Does anyone know the actual position - how many Hercs are still flying? And is it only 30 Sqd operational with them now?

Thanks.

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reaper493
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Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:05 pm
Location: Waddington

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by reaper493 » Sat Jun 25, 2022 1:07 pm

I think 30 and 47 sqd still operate the Hercules, plus 206sqd as and when they need to - as for numbers I think there's something in the region of 10-15 active.

adderman
Posts: 3381
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:30 am
Location: Topcliffe NY

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by adderman » Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:50 am

Hi All.
My SBS has recorded the following noted active Jan-Jun this year.
Though it's not on all the time in the truck.

ZH865 866 867 868 869 874 875 877 878 879 889.
Mostly on Ascot/Comet, 'RRR' and a couple of Strike/Jigsaw callsigns.

874 4 times in April then once in May.
875 Jan(x1) April(x1)
877 only twice on Jan 18/19.
878 only twice on MCE02(Jan 05) and as 'ZH878'(June15) I was in Scotland at time.

Only took me 22 years to bag ZH870 :blush:

Canberra TT.18
Posts: 307
Joined: Tue May 26, 2015 9:11 pm

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by Canberra TT.18 » Sun Jun 26, 2022 8:29 am

ZH870 is the only one I need!
Coming over for RIAT in 3 weeks time I hope to finally see it.
So if it is not among those flying where is it, and can you see it?

Plane enthuiast
Posts: 519
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2019 7:14 pm

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by Plane enthuiast » Sun Jun 26, 2022 8:52 am

Most of the Hercs are parked south side at Brize down at Black Bourton. There’s a crash gate and footpath that goes down the side of the fence. Hopefully it’s parked down there for you.

Evergreen 44
Posts: 2524
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2017 9:20 pm

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by Evergreen 44 » Sun Jun 26, 2022 9:07 am

Regarding ZH870
STN Ramp Rat does an update thread for Cambridge if you check on the Airfields section
He has it listed as arriving there 16-09-21
Not sure if it is WFU or one of those a/c listed for centre wing box replacement as that programme may have been stopped now with the WFU date for the RAF Hercules having been brought-forward
It is a gap on my list too but I need to find my notes dating from their deliveries to Cambridge as quite a number were in open store for a while until introduction to service was sorted.
Perhaps one of the locals at Cambridge can tell you if it is visible

POL
Posts: 16717
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 3:26 pm

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by POL » Sun Jun 26, 2022 9:12 am

Thankfully saw 870 at Brize in March 2013. It's 871 I've been chasing!

Evergreen 44
Posts: 2524
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2017 9:20 pm

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by Evergreen 44 » Sun Jun 26, 2022 9:23 am

ZH870
Reading more of the June thread for Cambridge, ZH870 is noted as leaving the paint shop around 08-06-22
TT.18 -You may be in luck for your visit
Perhsps keep checking the Cambridge thread for updates

Canberra TT.18
Posts: 307
Joined: Tue May 26, 2015 9:11 pm

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by Canberra TT.18 » Sun Jun 26, 2022 9:26 am

Thanks all.
... And happying chasing.

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plmc135
Posts: 3222
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:32 pm
Location: Bomber County

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by plmc135 » Sun Jun 26, 2022 9:56 am

Evergreen 44 wrote:
Sun Jun 26, 2022 9:07 am
Regarding ZH870
STN Ramp Rat does an update thread for Cambridge if you check on the Airfields section
He has it listed as arriving there 16-09-21
Not sure if it is WFU or one of those a/c listed for centre wing box replacement as that programme may have been stopped now with the WFU date for the RAF Hercules having been brought-forward
It is a gap on my list too but I need to find my notes dating from their deliveries to Cambridge as quite a number were in open store for a while until introduction to service was sorted.
Perhaps one of the locals at Cambridge can tell you if it is visible
I noted ZH870 as N73235 at CBG on 20/12/1998. Awaiting work from Marshalls along with six others

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lowlevelRAF
Posts: 712
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:39 pm
Location: Brum :)!!

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by lowlevelRAF » Sun Jun 26, 2022 10:49 am

fatherfaff wrote:
Sat Jun 25, 2022 12:56 pm
I'm sure I read last year on Fighter Control that the RAF Herc fleet was being reduced to 3 however I have seen at least 4 this year - ZH865/868/869/889. Does anyone know the actual position - how many Hercs are still flying? And is it only 30 Sqd operational with them now?

Thanks.
Only 47 Sqn front line operators of the Hercules now, with 24 Sqn still using the hercules OCU training. Not sure how much 206 Sqn use the aircraft now for any evaluation work etc. 30 and 70 Sqn's are both full A400 units now.
vRAF.net
MSPG Simulations - http://www.facebook.com/mspgsimulations

Kurnass
Posts: 911
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2017 9:46 pm

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by Kurnass » Sun Jun 26, 2022 2:12 pm

I still need 870 & 871. And both seem to be at Marshall’s. Here’s hoping at least 870 will make it to Brize on time…

PapaIndiaKilo30
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2022 5:13 pm

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by PapaIndiaKilo30 » Sun Jun 26, 2022 2:13 pm

I need 870 too. Seems a rare frame.

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Dan214sqn
Posts: 985
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 5:21 pm
Location: Derbyshire

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by Dan214sqn » Tue Jun 28, 2022 2:48 pm

got '870 Thankfully

Just 867 and 877 left for me :'(

Rch135
Posts: 1040
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:30 pm

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by Rch135 » Wed Jun 29, 2022 7:45 am

No Chance of 870 or 871 leaving Cambridge anytime Soon would think sometime in August Possibly ref 870 much latter for 871
Also 877 at Cambridge on extensive maintenance. 888 + 875(Both WFU with RAF) both on Centre Wing Change Possibly to make them
More attractive selling Option as the Centre Wing Replacement gives the aircraft 15+ years extra in service time.

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Ferrari
Posts: 983
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2009 2:51 am
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by Ferrari » Sat Jul 23, 2022 7:08 am

The Brize Norton spotters blog is a good place to go to to find out where the Hercs are.
Helped me get my last few during the 2020 lockdown (seen as overflights from the back garden).

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Finty
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Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2020 1:00 pm
Location: Brum loop

Re: RAF Hercules

Post by Finty » Sun Jul 24, 2022 9:01 pm

Ferrari wrote:
Sat Jul 23, 2022 7:08 am
The Brize Norton spotters blog is a good place to go to to find out where the Hercs are.
Helped me get my last few during the 2020 lockdown (seen as overflights from the back garden).

Thanks for the heads up about that. I still need to ID the 3 static hercs I saw there on Thursday
"Genny from the Bwlch"

352nd Supporter/ F35 Supporter/ Valkyries supporter

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