RNLAF C-130 Hercules - G-988

[Stafsels]

And the Alouette III in desert pink....

[Fulcrum1974]

I now can confirm that the S453 will be painted grey as well.

[Mark B.]

Just read that, once again, there will be a delay in the delivery of the first C-130. Trouble with "metal parts surrounding the engines" are the main reason. Delivery is now expected early 2010.

Still looks a lot better than DC-10 T-255. This aircraft arrived october 25th 2004 (at Eindhoven) and is still not in operational use (besides some training flights and an occasional trip to support Dutch troops). Early 2010 is the new target and then only in full freighter configuration.........

[aviodromefriend]

Still looks a lot better than DC-10 T-255. This aircraft arrived october 25th 2004 (at Eindhoven) and is still not in operational use (besides some training flights and an occasional trip to support Dutch troops). Early 2010 is the new target and then only in full freighter configuration.........

Wow! AFAIK the conversion to freighter was cancelled some 2,5 years ago, due to a lack of money. It should enter service in full-pax configuration, and remain so during its RNLAF career.

[Rockville]

Just read that, once again, there will be a delay in the delivery of the first C-130. Trouble with "metal parts surrounding the engines" are the main reason. Delivery is now expected early 2010. Still looks a lot better than DC-10 T-255. This aircraft arrived october 25th 2004 (at Eindhoven) and is still not in operational use (besides some training flights and an occasional trip to support Dutch troops). Early 2010 is the new target and then only in full freighter configuration.........

All the info about the delays in delivery are stated in a letter sent to the Dutch Parlement. The letter is in Dutch.

[frank kramer]

Quoting from the letter sent to the Dutch Parliament by Defence Procurement Secretary Jack de Vries:

Delays were also mentioned for the new Chinooks on order, the first one not being expected before the last quarter of 2010. Reasons for delays with Chinooks and DC-10 are given as "software problems". Software problems also cause additional delay with the Hercules. Dutch Defence Secretary also stated that a decision on whether to modify the DC-10 for carrying (military) pax -even though it was initially delivered to the RNLAF as a (civil) pax aircraft- is delayed pending the outcome of further analysis of the steps that need to be taken (to get approval by the Military Airworthiness Authority). This is expected towards the end of the first quarter of 2010. If the "go ahead" is given, the aircraft will be modified (and taken out of service for several months to complete the makeover).

Interesting from another point of view is that -of the six new Chinooks on order- only three will initially be based at Gilze-Rijen. The other three will be delivered to a US Army base in the CONUS for training purposes. At present, selection procedure for this base is apparently under way with three options open. No names given, though.

[Mark B.]

Still looks a lot better than DC-10 T-255. This aircraft arrived october 25th 2004 (at Eindhoven) and is still not in operational use (besides some training flights and an occasional trip to support Dutch troops). Early 2010 is the new target and then only in full freighter configuration.........

Wow! AFAIK the conversion to freighter was cancelled some 2,5 years ago, due to a lack of money. It should enter service in full-pax configuration, and remain so during its RNLAF career.

Well, things have changed a lot but still it looks like a never ending story regarding this DC-10. I remember the day I boarded this aircraft shortly after delivery at Eindhoven. It was in full pax configuration and looked like the last passengers just left the aircraft. The next time I was inside, just after the respray, it was just an empty space and I think not much has changed since then (besides the cockpit off course). The full pax configuration, with an easy palletized seat system, was a serious option, there is a even a new building built for this purpose. But now it looks like this will remain an empty space...

Nevertheless, early 2010 we will finally see a lot of "new" aircraft for 334/336 sqn.

Mark