Workhorse - RAAF C-130s
"Workhorse" is a podcast about Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft from their earliest history through to modern times. The series is based on the soon to be released book “Air Mobility Workhorse”, which will be available from Big Sky Publishing. Topics include: Operations from around the globe, including all four corners of the planet, from 1959 to now Aircraft technical discussions Training Roles (Search and Rescue, Air Logistics, Airborne Operations, Special Operations, Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, Surveillance, Non-combatant Evacuation, Aeromedical Evacuation and Firefighting) Maintenance and modifications Logistics And, of course, the people that made it all possible.
Episodes
This short episode covers a few unique loads carried by Royal Australian Air Force C-130s in the 1970s and early 1980s. Included are:
- A bull taken to China
- The entombed warriors (China again)
- Stock to Tonga
- A 3-day trip for a croc
- A giant pig
- Darwin Beer Can Regatta
- and, F-111 maintenance into Johnston Atoll
This episode covers off on three airlift competitions that RAAF C-130s won on several occasions: Volant Rodeo, Bullseye, and Air Tattoo.
The details are discussed with retired WOFF Gary 'Robbo' Robinson, an ex 36SQN Loadmaster. Of note, Robbo was a crewmember on the only RAAF contingent to ever win 'Best Wing '- the top prize at Rodeo.
Robbo also discusses his role as part of the crew that fl...
During the 1975-1986 era, the Australian Army reinvigorated Airborne Operations.
With the drive to enhance airborne operations capabilities came the notion of operating C-130s into contested environments, and that meant improving RAAF C-130 tactics.
Modern tactics development led 36SQN to consider electronic warfare, operating as low as they could, and using night vision goggles (NVGs).
Retired Air Commod...
The advent of the 1976 White Paper came with a reduction in the ADF's combat operations, and an emphasis on preparedness for the defence of Australia. As a result, the ADF put a great deal of energy into exercising and developing combat skills and proficiency. This effort led to the re-establishment of a permanent Regular Army airborne operations capability (first with 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, then 3 RAR) and ...
This episode covers unique operations of the 1975-1986 era. These missions are all reflective of the flexibility inherent in the C-130 and Australia’s growing dependence on the Hercules to deliver a variety of effects. The missions covered include:
- Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) of Tehran
- UN supply missions to the Middle East
- 1981 Qantas strike
- Intercepting a drug runner
This episode looks at a handful of Search and Rescue missions in the 1975-1986 era, including the Nocturne (which also featured Sir Angus Houston), Charleston, and Matina.
The episode also discusses the development of the helibox and the air-sea rescue kit (ASRK).
From the mid 1970s, Australia's defence strategy shifted to 'Defence of Australia'. This resulted in more domestically-focused tasking and support to the near region for disaster relief and SARs. This episode covers some of the Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief operations of that era, including the Moree Floods, Operation Ricebowl, and several cyclones.
This episode details the history of Royal Australian Air Force operations in Antarctica with a focus on RAAF C-130 involvement, including airdrops at Macquarie Island.
In the early 1980s, 36SQN supported the Forest Commission Victoria by installing and operating a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS). This episode details the circumstances leading to this decision, the operations that ensued, and the reasoning behind the cessation of the aerial fire fighting role.
This Episode covers:
- The strategic circumstances that led to the RAAF's acquisition of the C-130H
- Technical upgrades that came with the C-130H
- Acquisition and the early training for the C-130H capability
- The C-130A disposal saga.
This episode covers a range of maintenance related tasks in the 1965-1975 era, including:
- Cargo Door bolt failures
- Boron Fibres
- Wing corrosion and cracking
- Bogging
- Rudder Kick-back
This is the last episode for 2023. Workhorse will return mid-Jan 2024 on a bi-
This episode features Stu Bryce who was captain of A97-160 when it had a catastrophic engine failure half-way between Hawaii and Pago Pago in 1973.
Search and Rescue (SAR) doctrine is also covered, along with an explanation of why RAAF C-130s were given the SAR role in 1967.
Retired Warrant Officer and Flight Engineer Tony Ryan features in this episode which focuses on domestic Australian Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the early 1970s.
The large-scale floods of early 1971 and 1974 rivalled the floods of 2022. The ADF response was wide-ranging, including major commitments by RAAF C-130s and the introduction of hay bale dropping.
Cyclones Althea (one of t...
This episode covers Airborne Operations training and development in the 1965-75 era. Of note, the Australian Army's return to mass airdrop was initiated by 6RAR and supported by 36SQN in this era.
Also covered is the role of Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, along with a look at some of the HADR Operations of that era in places like Indonesia and PNG.
This Episode features guest Ian Frame. He covers RAAF C-130 operations in South East Asia from 1971 - 1975 (mostly Apr 1975). The operations discussed include:
- Weapons delivery to Cambodia in 1971
- Non-combatant Evacuation Operations at Phan Rang
- Operation Babylift
- HADR flights to An Thoi
- Evacuation of the Australian Embassy in Saigon
- HADR flights to Laos
This episode is a general overview of Royal Australian Air Force C-130 operations in South East Asia during the 1965-1972 era.
This episode discusses the C-130's suitability for Aeromedical Evacuations (AME) and how the RAAF's Hercules aircraft were employed in the AME role. In particular, Vietnam-related AMEs are discussed, including the transition from C-130As to C-130Es in the AME role.
This episode looks at the situation in the mid-1960s by examining the circumstances that took Australia to Vietnam and the decision to acquire the C-130E.
This episode features Bob 'Shorty' Heffernan talking about two C-130A Legends:
Dave Hitchins, Commanding Officer 36SQN for four years, and - 'Shorty' himself! Shorty was a loadmaster and was key to the development of several airdrop innovations on C-130As.
The discussion covers hay drops, Vietnam, AMEs, repatriation tasks, and airdrop.
Retired Group Captain Dave Richardson discusses maintenance in the early 1960s, along with a few stories from his time as a C-130 Engineering Officer and Officer Commanding Air Lift Systems Program Office. Topics include:
C-130A serviceability
Fuel tank corrosion
Modifications
Rate of Effort
T-56 engines
486 Squadron
2 Aircraft Depot
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