C-130j Serials

[Rod Farquhar]

A C-130J came in yesterday and I notice that the usual large two digit number is missing from the tail, it appears to have been replaced by the 37Sqn logo and a small complete serial low on the tail as per the C-130Hs. See pic.
Rod.

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[Brendan Cowan]

That's an astute observation about the lower observability of Herc serials!

Well spotted!

This will give the twitchers eye strain! (Which is probably the point.)

:blink:

BC

[Dean]

Actually half the fleet have them at the moment. What has not been noticed is that some of the J model aircraft have received a full overall light grey repaint in the last six months so it is possible that the squadron crest started appearing around this time.

[Warhawk]

Hi Rod,

Have you seen any dark grey C-130Js yet? Why I asked is that Dean mentioned light grey sprays recently done, as opposed to some new dark grey ones. One is wavy demarcation, the other straight lineal demarcation per light grey unders

Best
Gordy
PS(Enjoyed your story on the Lincolns, well done) :unsure:

[Joe Barr]

Dark grey C130Js are passing through the servicing facility in Canberra. I ohotographed A97-449 about a month ago - with straight line demarcation and only a crest and small serial on the tail

Joe

[Rod Farquhar]

BC, I already have eye strain trying to catch up with the Orions, now they have done this to me.
Gordy, I have only seen what I thought were original light gray Js, this was the first one with the tail marking different, as Joe says they are going through the service facility at Canberra no doubt one will be here soonish, thanks for the thumbs up on the Lincolns.
Joe, thanks for the info on the Js new paint, will keep my eyes peeled.
Rod. :blink:

[darren.crick]

Joe,

any idea what is happening at the facility in Canberra?

[Joe Barr]

Darren

Looks like major servicing under contract to a civilian organisation but I don't know much about it. It all takes place in the big new hangar close to the civil terminal. Up to two C-130s will fit inside and there is sometimes a third outside. From the little you can see from the two-level car park on the other side it appears that engines and major airframe components are being removed and serviced. Somebody mentioned the other day that there may be an occasional C-130 hangared in one of the old Fairbairn hangars too but I haven't seen that.

Joe

[Brendan Cowan]

Here's a recent shot from Defence of 449 in PNG recently in the dark scheme with straightline pattern and crest.

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[Demon50]

449 looks pretty good in that scheme which I prefer to the light grey.

[Dean]

The waved demarcation looks much better Demon50.

[Demon50]

Hi Dean

I look forward to seeing that.

And I wonder what the rationale is for the dark grey scheme replacing the light grey ?

[darren.crick]

Joe,

I noted both H and J models coming through that hanger last year... even got some snaps...

[Brendan Cowan]

Ok DC,

Now you're teasing us!

Let's see the snaps!

;)

BC

[darren.crick]

I thought I posted them at the time, at work at the moment will check a post them later.

[Brendan Cowan]

No Pressure,

You gotta take a break sometime!

;)

BC

[Warhawk]

Oi

Never say that to me BC! :o

LOL

Dark Grey looks sinister doesn't it. Hey, is it the same colour as the C-17s?

Everything is going grey, now including what's left of my hair!!!

Gordy B)

[darren.crick]

this taken at Canberra 17/02/2007. A97-449... interestingly it shows the new scheme we have been discussing and I didnt even notice it!!!! Shows how much I take notice...

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[darren.crick]

A97-005, taken at Canberra 29/06/06...

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[darren.crick]

A97-005, 22/07/06.

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[darren.crick]

A97-001, 17/02/07...

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[darren.crick]

A97-001, 11/10/06... (next two images) This means they are onsite for about 4 months each by the looks of it...

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[darren.crick]

..



Perhaps Joe can add some of his...

Joe we need to catch up for a coffee... I am back about the 8th of Jan...

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[darren.crick]

I hope people found those interesting, in the new year I will pay the hanger a visit again...

[Brendan Cowan]

Well Done Darren.

Thanks for posting these.

Cheers

BC

[Rod Farquhar]

I note that 05 does not have the chin mounted flare dispensers fitted yet, can't quite tell with 01. I would think that all aircraft heading to MEAO would have this mod.
Rod.

[darren.crick]

can email you bigger outside images if you like Rod to help...

[Rod Farquhar]

No need Darren, but thanks for the offer. I imagine that the missile self protection mod is one of the reasons that the Hercs are going through Canberra.
Rod.

[Martin Edwards]

The current issue (17) of Aero magazine on page 26 has a double page advertisement for Qantas Defence services showing two Js both in dark grey one with lighter demarcation, one without. (Note wing fillet area as well). Unfortunately cant see serials!

[Trojan Thunder]

Hi all,

First post here.

The C-130s are going through DLM here at Canberra carried out by QDS. Nothing to do with self protection mods as far as I know.

The Js that have been done here were 449 and 450, they were the first 2 painted in the new dark grey scheme. The remainder of fleet will be painted as per 450 and 008. Eventually 449s scheme will go to the wavey demarkation beween the greys.

Cheers

[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Ray,

We'll accept posts like that any time.

Cheers

Brendan C

[Demon50]

On the subject of the C130 fleet, I'm intrigued by the paint schemes.

We have four by my last count - camo C130H, light and dark Grey C130Js and a couple of overall green C130Hs.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why the C130Js are now being repainted dark grey and what was the rationale behind the green Hs (is it one or two ?)