DXing/forum/images/avatars/gallery/business/1.pngoffline17 Jun 23, 19:12
What's the replacement?
What's the point of an open door policy if inside the open door sits a closed mind?
paul mcallister/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/default.pngoffline17 Jun 23, 20:09
The Airbus A400M Atlas, it`s a bigger aircraft, but IMHO, the RAF would have been wise to keep the C-130J`s in service, but they wanted one type does all.
I believe they have 16 airworthy examples, some of which have been sold.
Mark/forum/images/avatars/gallery/business/8.pngoffline17 Jun 23, 22:16
paul mcallister wrote:The Airbus A400M Atlas
I've seen some of the A400's do some pretty neat tricks.
paul mcallister/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/default.pngoffline18 Jun 23, 22:46
The RAF had 3 large transport aircraft, the C-130J, The A400M, and the C-17A, from what I have read, the bean counters decided one had to go. The word is withdrawing the C-130J has left gaps in capability, mainly to do with special forces ops. The A400M has had some serious problems, I`m not convinced it is the aircraft the RAF wanted, or need. The C-130J and C-17A are proven work horses, and IMO the A400M is too complex for a delivery truck.
DXing/forum/images/avatars/gallery/business/1.pngoffline19 Jun 23, 12:18
I've read here before that the A400M can be, at times, a bit of a hangar queen. Seems to me changing from the tried and true seems to be a bit of an attitude of "look at the shiny bright new object". Sort of like the phone system a company I worked for purchased. I'm convinced to this day that the salesperson involved in that deal spent the next 6 months at a Carribean high end resort with an umbrella drink in hand.
What's the point of an open door policy if inside the open door sits a closed mind?
captoveur/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/default.pngoffline28 Jun 23, 15:12
The A400 is friggin huge compared to a C-130. Honestly, my impression seeing them in person is they are closer to a C-17.
I can see the special forces not being happy about this move.
I predict they buy something like the C-27 or the similar CASA thing in small numbers in the near future to support SAS/SBS and their needs.
I like my coffee how I like my women: Black, bitter, and preferably fair trade.
paul mcallister/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/default.pngoffline28 Jun 23, 15:33
Here are the stats.....This shows France as the manufacturer, but it is a cross European venture.
I very much doubt the RAF will buy anything like a Casa or C-27, but I would not be surprised if they retain a few of the C-130J`s for special jobs. As I mentioned the MOD number crunchers do not want 3 airlifters in the RAF, and that`s fair enough as long as it does not leave big gaps in capability. The rumor mill suggests the RAF are not best pleased about losing the Hercs.
captoveur wrote:The A400 is friggin huge compared to a C-130. Honestly, my impression seeing them in person is they are closer to a C-17.
Pretty much bang in the middle of a C-130 and a C-17, capacity and payload wise. They are a big unit.
captoveur wrote:I predict they buy something like the C-27 or the similar CASA thing in small numbers in the near future to support SAS/SBS and their needs.
There is a need for something a little more subtle than an A400M, that's for sure. The only thing close in the current fleet is the Beech R1 Shadow which is a bit tight for parachute ops, even when stripped out.
A million great ideas...
paul mcallister/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/default.pngoffline05 Jul 23, 10:40
The Beech Shadow R1 and upgraded R2`s are a dedicated intel and recon aircraft, the RAF will have 8 in service. My guess is a small number of the Hercs will be retained, perhaps four or five aircraft even in the short term.