Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group rolled out the first of a number of C-130J Hercules aircraft it is preparing for delivery to the Bangladesh Air Force, during an official ceremony last week.
Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat (second left), Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force, saluted the aircraft to the sound of the nation’s national anthem in what was an important day for the Air Force.
The ceremony was also attended by Sir Michael Marshall and Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group CEO, Alistair McPhee, along with Bangladesh High Commissioner to London, Her Excellency Ms. Saida Muna Tasneem and members of the Bangladesh military.
Alistair McPhee, said:
“It filled me with pride to witness the Bangladesh Air Force’s very first C-130J aircraft being rolled out for Air Chief Marshal Serniabat and other important guests,
“I know our engineers greatly valued his visit and the thanks he gave them for the work they have done getting this first aircraft ready.”
Some of the other C-130Js the Bangladesh Air Force recently purchased from the UK Ministry of Defence were also on view. Marshall is carrying out comprehensive depth maintenance and important modifications on all the aircraft including capability enhancements such as MEDEVAC, avionic upgrades and the provision of a Passenger Transport Configuration.
Air Chief Marshal Serniabat, said:
“This is such a proud moment for the Bangladesh Air Force. The roll out of our first C-130J aircraft here in Cambridge is a landmark occasion and we look forward to welcoming the aircraft soon in Bangladesh. I’d like to thank all the team from Marshall that have worked so hard to achieve this significant milestone.”
Air Chief Marshal Serniabat and other Bangladesh dignitaries also took the opportunity to view the interior of the aircraft.
I would like to have seen Marshall’s converting a few of these to a combined KC130/maritime reconnaissance fit for the RAF. I know the Airtanker agreement precludes this, but it does seem daft to station a whacking great A330 in the Falklands. With refuelling pods and seaspray radar, this would have been a really useful aircraft that could refuel helicopters as well!
Agree.
Is any alteration to the contract possible? Or are there penalties involved?
There are only 9 in use Voyagers after all. A precious asset.
Don’t know Daniele…but Boris say’s ‘where there is a will, there is a way’. He could be right!
Lol! I’m not convinced by him either if I’m honest but this is where we are at. Boris or Corbyn? I know who I prefer. Alternatively, who’s in charge of your lot? I’ve no idea since Cable left. Is that person of the right stuff?
Jo Swinson….not the most recognisable name in Parliament. And only the fourth largest party after the SNP. Still, nobody will be more pleased than I if Boris turns out to be the most brilliant PM since David Lloyd George. Except Boris of course, who already believes this to be true!
a friend of mine met Swinson recently and found her underwhelming in presence
Thanks Herodotus. I could have looked her up I suppose. Thanks again.
At least Boris has personality! Compared to the Maybot.
Yeah that would be perfect for the falklands and it could land on all the rough airfields down there as well as parachute gear and men. It’s a dam Shame we are getting rid of so many C-130j aircraft, but A400 was always meant to replace it, atleast we have the funding allocated for the 13-14 C-130j aircraft left until 2030.
Would have got rid of the lot but for SDSR15 which retained 14, in addition to the Atlas and C17. Previously we were headed for 22 Atlas and 8 C17.
I have read, unsure how true it is, that internal MoD politics in the form of DSF pressure helped. The hercs are useful to them.
Daniele it was the DSF which voiced his opinion about the detrimental effect a lack of C130s would be to current and future SF Ops, and suddenly boom, 14 Hercs saved. And the fact they couldn’t replace the 3 role specific SF versions with anything at all. Imagine the shit show we would be in if all the Hercs went!
So the rumours were true. I’m not surprised. As HMG’s go to people and the first to be used everywhere, the DSF has plenty of political clout.
He should use it more often.
I assume the main reason for the Voyagers in the FI is to refuel the Typhoons – there are only 4 so time on station could be critical. Contract aside, could the Hercs do this?
US Marine KC130s operate with fast jets…so I don’t see why not. I remember that there was some problem with the Victor K2 tankers refuelling C130s during the Falklands. The Victor was bloody fast and had to go into a shallow dive with its flaps down so that the C130s could maintain station!
I remember the herc conversions done in ‘82 as stop-gap. they refueled harriers but anything faster?
Didn’t they refuel buccaneers and was it phantoms!?
A squadron of Phantoms deployed to Stanley Airfield after hostilities.
A couple of years back I was having lunch at a Thameside restaurant when a Spitfire stooged up the Thames with a Typhoon hanging behind it. So I guess the Typhoon is capable of flying slow enough to take fuel from a KC130!
Yeah the mass computers they have should help it stay in control I would imagine.
I believe our hercs already have the pipe work for refuelling probes ect so shouldn’t take a massive effort.
Bloody hell, that’s twice I have to agree with Herodotus! Both about the KC130 and about Boris! Damn what’s the world coming to.
‘Damn what’s the world coming to’. Perhaps the realization that the rise of right-wing politics is the most divisive issue we have had to deal with since WW2. The centre-ground holds much more promise for unity in this country!
That’s fair enough in regard to right wing extremist politics, however we have had left wing extremist politics for years, even more so now, with the cult of Corbyn/momentum etc, but because they are so loud and oppressive in their efforts at thought control, very few people or organizations have the balls to challenge them!
Left-wing politics is not really an issue…most people don’t buy it. The East-Enders community is far more right -wing…it’s the way the country is going. Lazy, intellectually bankrupt, vulnerable to cheap politics offered by Farage and the ERG (whatever they are researching). We are a long way from any sort of political integrity….Edmund Burke is, no doubt, turning in his grave!
Most right minded working people don’t buy it, I give you that. As they want the best for themselves and their families, for now and the future. It’s just a shame the leftie agitators are the loudest and most aggressive and self righteous group out there! If you don’t think like them, no matter your politics, upbringing, life experience etc, you are wrong and you become the enemy. But as a county and a people we seem to accept it as normal behavior. I find it most strange!
I don’t think that they are the loudest…not at the moment. I have been a Labour voter for most of my life, recently I started voting Lib-Dem. I changed my allegiance because of the influence of Momentum….having had several stand up rows with officials that were no more than a glint in the milkman’s eye when I joined Labour. Lots of Labour voters feel the same way! In some ways, our political situation is reminiscent of 1930’s Germany. It is best not to be carried away by the populist agenda……most of them are absolute turds!
I am aware of the attitude of those momentum members! You could be a lifelong Labour voter, but if you don’t agree with Corbyn, or not want to take him home for tea and show your mum, they have the brass neck to say you arent a real Labour supporter! That attitude of taking over, taking control, makes me puke! The nasty arrogance, which is allowed to permeate through the Labour Party under Corbyn is horrendous and is alienating normal working class people!
Yes, I think that I would agree with you. However, maybe not in the same language. The Labour Party came out of the masses….I still believe that it has a future for all of us. It may not have the best representation at the moment, but it will in the near future. Much of the core is still there…and will be very influential in days to come. Watch how things change! Cameron to Boris….errrrr