Hercules

by Scott Bateman

Read the legendary story of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, seen through the eyes of former RAF captain Scott Bateman


'An engaging and revealing read' JOHN NICHOL

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Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow. Whether it’s war, natural disaster, or humanitarian emergency, for over fifty years the RAF’s Hercules force was the first in and last out of any crisis faced by the UK government around the globe.

First conceived in the 1950s, the US-built Lockheed C-130 Hercules earned its spurs flying difficult and dangerous missions in the Vietnam War before entering service with air forces around the world. Originally designed as transport aircraft, the Hercules has been pressed into service as an aerial tanker, gunship, spyplane, air-sea rescuer and bomber.

Instantly recognisable, it became synonymous with daring special forces missions like the legendary raid in Entebbe in which dozens of hostages were rescued from the clutches of terrorists. In RAF colours it's seen action on every continent on the planet including Antarctica, flying life and death missions in the Falklands, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Sudan and all points in between.

Former RAF Hercules Captain Scott Bateman opens the cockpit to give an action-packed insider’s account of what it’s like to fly this legendary flying machine in peace and war, and at home and abroad, paying tribute to the remarkable men and women who operated this much loved aircraft, and to those comrades in arms who, in doing so, made the ultimate sacrifice.

Genres: Military Fiction, Aviation, Military History, History, Nonfiction, Memoir

385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2024

Reviews

[Mr N P Leversuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this an enjoyable read. A good blend of aspects covering the aircraft itself, the demands and achievements of the aircrew and the range of activities undertaken by the aircraft, often beyond the rated capabilities of the aircraft.
Sadly, also covered is an insight into the heartbreak caused to the families when aircraft crash and aircrew are killed.
The outline of the progress made by the author from Loadmaster to Pilot-in-charge, gave an interesting insight into the range of teamwork activities required to get the best performance from the aircraft.
Personally, I would have liked a bit more technical detail about the design, development and capabilities of the aircraft, but still a good book and an interesting read.

[Phil Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a superb book written by a legend in The RAF Hercules world. Scott had superb service in The RAF which started as an air loadmaster serving at Lyneham Wiltshire after this that led him to transfer to become a pilot on 47 Squadron. Scott has researched this book expertly not only the first flight of the Herc but also included missions and sorties that the Herc has undertaken with overseas air forces as well as the main ones that Herc undertook with The RAF of which Scott was part of during his Air Force career

[Ewan Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is both a great insight to the story of a legendary aircraft type and the inner workings of military flying. The chapters were engaging and gave some great examples of reflection, highlighting what the aircraft meant to the crews and what the crews meant to each other. As a self confessed AvGeek, this was everything I hoped it would be and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in aircraft or military stories.

[Paul Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and gives a fascinating insight into what the Herc has done over its life.

I loved flying on this aircraft and this was reinforced by my time at RAF Lyneham when my neighbours were the pilots that flew this amazing piece of kit.

A lot of the authors stories align with my time in the RAF so give added detail to events that I was aware of.

Great read and recommended to Fat Albert geeks and anyone who loved being around this RAF legendary plane.