On Sun, 06 Feb 2005 10:09:43 GMT, Peter Twydell
wrote:

Where would they have parked it between flights, had it gone into
service?

SNIP

On the flight deck - which would have been cleared of all other aircraft in
order for the Herc to operate. If you wanted to conduxt air ops you would have
to revert to WWII style flight deck ops - park her aft in order to launch over
the bow, then drag her forward to clear the landing area, then drag her back
aft....you can now see why the angled deck was a "good thing" (admittedly, its
primary benefit was to allow a bolter a chance to shoot another approach rather
than hit the barrier)

Obviously on the fight deck! The reason I asked was that I haven't any
conception of the size of the C-130 compared with other naval aircraft
(I could look it all up, but I'm working today) and the available space
on the deck.

Sounds like the need to reposition the aircraft could be a major pain
from the operational point of view, or would it be no worse that having
to shuffle the other aircraft around?

IIRC this was the main reason the project was not pursued. "Locking
the deck" was not something that an Air Boss would like. And what do
you do if the aircraft goes "down" and requires maintenance?
Particularly heavy maintenance, like an engine or prop change?

I also have a vague recollection of the concept of the "clipped wing"
C-130 where the wing would be shorted 6-8 feet per side to give some
flexibility in deck handling. I don't think this one got much past
the discussion stage.

The project was intereresting showing what could be done. It might
even still be relevant today. I could imagine a "Tom Clancy scenario"
where we pull off an "Entebe" type operation from a carrier. Big
Mother goes out with a couple of Hercs escorted by an LHD loaded out
with lots of Harriers. You would not have to suspend too much
disbelief on this one! ;-)

Bill Kambic

Bill Kambic