Last ever RAF Lockheed Martin C-130J ZH865

[RavenOne]

Today, the last ever Rohall Air Force C-130J ZH865 made its last flight and landing here at Cambridge Marshalls Airport EGSC in my neck of the woods at lunchtime. Probably be mothballed , taken apart or passed onto another Air Force we don’t know, so here are my photos.





cheers

 

[TomcatViP]

I wonder how long the RAF will last without Hercules.

 

[Archibald]

Wait, why is the RAF dropping its C-130J ? and what is supposed to replace them ??!!! I don't get it...

Ah ok I see now. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/multi-mission-aircraft/uk-royal-air-force-extends-c-130j-life

Fact is that C-130J + A400M + C-17 while not exactly overlapping in capability, must be expansive nonetheless.

 

[FighterJock]

The RAF are thinking about ordering more A400M Atlas after the last Atlas of the current order is delivered. I would have thought that the RAF would have ordered more from the start anyway it would have made more sense.

 

[RavenOne]

Apologies for the quality as there was so much heat haze so here are my photos from earlier of the final final fly past three ship formation over my neck of the woods EGSC on the way to EGUN








cheers

 

[CJGibson]

As is traditional with HMG, we'll discover that we actually need these, buy some old shaggers at a vastly inflated price, fill them with expensive British kit and wait five years for them to enter service.

I despair.

Chris

 

[FighterJock]

Retired far too early I fear.

 

[RavenOne]

And just now the last ever ever pair of RAF Herks including thr special painted tail one came back for one last approach and storage here at Cambridge Marshalls this morning so here are my photos.

cheers

 

[WatcherZero]

Deals now been closed to sell 12 second hand RAF C-130J to Turkey for £550m which includes a wingbox replacement and tuneup performed by Marshall Aerospace in the UK before delivery along with ongoing technical support to develop a Turkish spare parts manufacturing base with the contract worth £200m to Marshall over several years.

https://defenceturkey.com/en/conten...craft-sale-and-modernisation-for-turkiye-6457
They've secured a pretty good price, half list price for airframes over 20 years old.