Hercules by Scott Bateman, 397 pages HB, 59 illustrations (52 colour), Penguin Michael Joseph, £20, ISBN 9780241655580
A dozen figures fell swiftly from the aircraft and the side doors were closed – they had not made a maximum height drop because there was too much cloud, so the rear ramp had not been used. It was time to leave my seat and put on a long harness rather like a baby-walker. The rear doors opened and the Air Loadmaster and I waved out at the crowd as the Hercules roared across Coventry airfield at low level. The sensation of power and speed was immense; it made me very glad of my restraining harness as we banked away. On landing, we sat on the ramp and taxied past, waving to the crowd again. Not too many civvies have had this experience and it only served to confirm my admiration for this wonderful aeroplane and the RAF Falcons, with whom I was spending the weekend. Over a fairly short period of time, I was fortunate enough to fly in half a dozen examples of this thoroughbred and enjoyed every moment.
It is plain to see from this highly entertaining book that the Lockheed C-130 Hercules was a much-respected and indeed loved aircraft throughout its half-century of service with the RAF. The author, a former Hercules Air Loadmaster and later pilot (with No 47 Squadron) writes in a very engaging style, very obviously from the heart, personifying the down-to-earth, friendly nature (though highly skilled and professional) of any Herc crews whom I encountered. He combines an account of his own career with a potted history of this remarkable aeroplane, which first entered RAF service in 1967 and was retired in 2023. This was not a very popular move for many and not only the amateur enthusiast. As the author points out, the A.400 is a very capable aeroplane but is not quite the master-of-all-trades as ‘Fat Albert.’
Stories are told of operations in Rhodesia, the Israeli Air Force at Entebbe, the Falklands War, Beirut, Ethiopia, Gulf War 1, Kuwait, Somalia, Kenya, the Balkans, Gulf War 2, Afghanistan and the Sudan – on missions of war and humanitarian relief. They are all absolutely fascinating. However, just to pick out a few highlights, I really enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the very challenging 24-hour flights over the South Atlantic (together with some very unorthodox comms), the very funny story of John Major’s Jaguar, the needle in a desert hunt for British nationals deep in the Libyan desert, which required navigational skills of the highest order, and the very last operational sortie in 2023. The account of the author’s final check ride in a Jetstream prior to qualifying is also very well-written, with great honesty and self-awareness.
It should also be noted that the Herc was something of a Cinderella, exploited by the fast-jet dominated Brass and not supplied as expeditiously with defensive aids as it should have been.
The text is supported by an excellent selection of photographs, my particular favourites being on the deck of the USS Forrestal in 1963, low-level in the Falklands and the very civilised flightdeck treat.
I really cannot recommend this book highly enough, it is also great value for money.
