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[raflaunches]

On Thursday my squadron officially stood down but remains ‘active’ until the end of the month to conduct flypasts for Cosford, farewell flypast and the King’s Birthday parade next Saturday.
But after that the only flying RAF Hercules will be the ferry flights the week after that will take them for disposal at Cambridge. So after 56 years and 9 months there will no longer be the ‘Green Skip’, the ‘Fat Albert’, or simply ‘Herc’ in RAF service. Whether you agree with them being retired or not they won’t be a common sight out of Brize in July onwards which is a shame. This is the second aircraft type I have personally seen out of service and I can say it wasn’t a nice experience last time but the Tornado fleet was worn out and couldn’t be used anymore as they were beyond rebuild but the Hercs are being sold on so it feels a bit bitter this time knowing that they’ve not past their planned airframe life and have plenty of life left. But I’m off to new adventures at the end of June becoming an instructor at Cosford and with the added bonus of a third stripe, so it’s not all misery!

[derekwarner]

Nick, I knew the Princess Royal Anne had a Naval role, however appears she also has some capacity here with your RAF parade

Got the better of me so coppied Google...

"Anne’s military titles are honorary, starting with being granted the title rear admiral in the Royal Navy back in 1993. She was made vice admiral in 2009 and admiral in 2012. In the British Army, she holds the rank of general and is an air chief marshal in the Royal Air Force"

Congratulations on your next move & the 3rd stripe

Derek

[raflaunches]

Thanks you very much Derek I am very chuffed that I got my sergeant stripes.
Princess Anne has been a very big secret amongst us that she was going to be the honorary to take the standards for us at our disbandment. It’s a sad day as 47 Sqn won’t be standing up anytime soon as we had hoped we would be a new squadron for the replacement aircraft but not yet. So 47 Sqn stands down for the first time since 1916 making an incredible 107 years of continuous service with 56 years and 9 months with one aircraft type.
There were a lot of lads and lasses crying on Thursday especially the aircrew who flew the flypast, the pilot O’Brien was very upset as it was her last flight in a Herc. I was Mech trade leader for the flypast and it was quite emotional.

[Martin (Admin)]

 For fings Sgt,

 1. Congratulations on the 3rd stripe .... sir?!
 2. My 2nd most favouritist aeroplane too,
 3. "This is the second aircraft type I have personally seen out of service" ..... what's the common factor here?   
 4. What's that feature on the tail cone?
 

[Footski]

A sad day indeed Nick. It seems like such a waste. Congratulations from one retired sergeant (police), to another..

[raflaunches]

 For fings Sgt,

 1. Congratulations on the 3rd stripe .... sir?!
 2. My 2nd most favouritist aeroplane too,
 3. "This is the second aircraft type I have personally seen out of service" ..... what's the common factor here?   
 4. What's that feature on the tail cone?

1:Thank you Martin , still not a Sir yet!
2: it is a favourite of mine too
3: coincidence?
4: I could tell you but I’d have shoot you afterwards! Nah is a LAIRCM turret- it fires a laser at incoming missiles to confuse them- a lot of modern military aircraft have them now but the Herc one is quite pronounced.

[raflaunches]

A sad day indeed Nick. It seems like such a waste. Congratulations from one retired sergeant (police), to another..

It is, didn’t think I would see a second aircraft out especially in these circumstances.
Many thanks from a new Sgt to another.

[Colin Bishop]

Congratulations on your elevation Nick - well deserved!

Colin

[Circlip]

There's a thing, though Shackletons served longer but they only did 51 to 91. Bye bye BUFF.


  Regards  Ian.

[raflaunches]

Congratulations on your elevation Nick - well deserved!

Colin

Many thanks Colin

[raflaunches]

For anyone wanting to see the farewell flypast here is the flight plan and where to see them:

[dodes]

A sad day yes, remember some of the antics the pilots got up when I was at sea, very useful craft, but the bean counters are having their way again!!!!!

[Fastfaz]

  Congratulations "Sarge".
       Well done Nick (watch out for the mess fees ha ha), sad to see the Hercy birds going such a shame especially as they are still very usable. I've just been having a look at the replacement to carry us Airborne loons the Atlas (please correct me if I got that wrong) and apparently the brass are well pleased as its got more room. Good luck with your new rank, hope all goes well.
       Cheers, Pete.
              Utrinque paratus.

[Mark T]

The Herc has always been a thing to see in the sky and what a work horse it has been....... seriously though congratulations on the third strip what an achievement 

[Mike S]

Nick,


I'll be raising a glass to 47 Squadron tonight, and many congrats on that third stripe!




Cheers,


Mike

[KitS]

A sad day for sure, my Dad was in 47 from 1948 to 1956 or so, on Hastings and Beverleys mainly. He'd have been sad too, but he only lasted till 2000.


My son-in-law's SATCO at Cosford, or the nearest they have to one there anyway.

[gingyer]

Congrats Nick !!!


its sad seeing the Herc go

[Baldrick]

Doubt if we will get a sight tomorrow but will be looking up and listening just in case.  ( It's behind you !)






[size=78%][/size][size=78%]  [/size]

[ballastanksian]

Congratulations on your third stipe, and also I wish you well in your new role as instructor! Do you get enhanced model workshop space with the extra stripe?


Looking at the map, I remember a flight of Hercs flying over my workshop in Fontwell back over a decade ago. I heard a rumble of engines, then felt them, and then as I went outside to find out who was backing plant into our yard three Hercs flew over so low, it seemed they were going to clip several pine trees in the corner of the yard! That was an excellent experience. They did it a year later but I missed actually seeing them, I was probably in the bowels of the workshop that time.


Here is the history of 47 sqn RAF. It is an interesting one especially for us naval types! [size=78%]No. 47 Squadron RAF - Wikipedia[/size]

[ballastanksian]

I read the rest of the entry and was even more impressed! I like a Wellesley 

[JohnG]

Thanks for sharing this Nick.  Congrats with the stripe and i wish you lots of success in the new role - i think you'll be good at it!


Rather poignant to see the squadron disbanded as you say, but at least it was marked properly as it should be.

[Martin (Admin)]

Anyone seen then yet?

[raflaunches]

Martin,


If you look on my Facebook page you can see the trio flying through the Welsh mountains for the last time. Don’t know how to add the video to the forum.

[Bustergrunt]

Yup, just been to RAF Leeming to watch the flypast

[Jonty]

  Nick tactfully avoided mentioning the Hercules' useless replacement. This Telegraph article fills the gap: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/14/c-130-hercules-raf-change-to-a400m/?li_source=LI&li_medium=liftigniter-rhr