The first Hercules C Mk 1(K) tanker conversion, photographed on the initial refuelling contact with a Buccaneer on 21 June.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn Buccaneer / B-103 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1958Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

The second tanker, XV201, refuelling a probed Nimrod during trials at Boscombe Down on 29 July.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod MR.1 / R.1 / MR.2 / HS.801 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1967Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

A Hercules C Mk 1 in the standard configuration prior to "Operation Corporate". Of the 66 Hercules acquired by the RAF, only 11 are expected to remain in this unmodified form beyond 1985, according to present plans.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

The first Lockheed Hercules C Mk1 fitted (by Marshall of Cambridge) with an air-to-air refuelling probe, takes on fuel from the first Hercules C Mk 1(K) tanker.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

Hercules C Mk I(K) XV192 fourth and last of the tankers - refuels C Mk 1 XV187 - the ninth of 16 Hercules (apart from the tankers) fitted with probes by Marshall of Cambridge.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

A rear view of the Hercules C Mk 1(K) before delivery from Cambridge Airport, where the work was undertaken by Marshall of Cambridge I Engineering) Lid. The HDU installation on the cargo ramp is such that the fuselage can remain pressurised when the drogue is not deployed.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

Photographed at Wideawake airfield on Ascension Island on 21 May, Hercules XV179 was the second to befilled with a probe by Marshall of Cambridge and the first to have the Omega installation, being re-delivered to the RAF on 13 May. Sixteen C Mk Is are now in service in this configuration.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

Hercules C Mk 1 XV200 (the first example so fitted) in contact with the first C Mk 1(K) tanker (XV296) during trials at the A&AEE, Boscombe Down, on 24 June.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

Photographs from inside the Hercules C Mk 1 XV214 during trials of the air snatch equipment, showing (left) the grappling hook being let out and (right) the load being winched in.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

The Hercules tankers are also fitted with probes to receive fuel from other tankers. Here, the first tanker is engaged in receiver trials.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

The Hercules passes over the poles to pick up the load.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

A close-up of the air-to-air refuelling probe on Hercules C Mk 1 XV200 (the first example so fitted), photographed on Ascension Island on 21 May 1982.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

The Hose Drum Unit - a standard piece of RAF equipment - mounted on the rear cargo ramp.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

Hercules C Mk 3 XV202; none of the stretched aircraft has been fitted for AAR.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

View from the flight deck of a probed Hercules as it formates on another Hercules

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

View from the flight deck of a probed Hercules as it formates on a Vulcan K Mk 2.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Avro Vulcan / Type 698 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

Three days after delivery to the A&AEE on 29 April, the first probed Hercules is shown in refuelling trials with a Victor K Mk 2.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Handley Page Victor / H.P.80 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

Lockheed Hercules C Mk 3

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

Hercules C Mk 3

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954