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Scott Bateman
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Hercules Paperback – April 8, 2025

by Scott Bateman (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 60 ratings
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The legendary story of the iconic Lockheed C-130 Hercules jet, told through the eyes of former Hercules captain and RAF 47 Squadron member Scott Bateman

In 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. The US-built Lockheed C-130 Hercules flew dangerous missions in the Vietnam War before entering service with air forces around the world, as an aerial tanker, gunship, spyplane, air-sea rescuer and bomber. Former RAF Hercules Captain Scott Bateman opens the cockpit for an insider's account of this legendary flying machine in peace and war, at home and abroad.
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  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin
  4. Publication date
    April 8, 2025
  5. Dimensions
    5.08 x 1.38 x 7.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1405957980
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1405957984
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

An action-packed insider's account of what it's like to fly this legendary flying machine in peace and war--KeyAero.com

About the Author

Scott Bateman has been a professional aviator all his adult life. He began working as an air loadmaster on C-130 Hercules in the RAF in 1990, then was selected to train as a pilot in 1997, serving in the RAF for 18 years. Following his military career he worked as a pilot and fleet manager for a large airline. He now blends his aviation career with a successful career as a television producer through his company, 9-Line Media. Born and raised in a small village in Scotland, Scott now lives in the West Country with his wife and three adult children.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin (April 8, 2025)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1405957980
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1405957984
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 1.38 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 60 ratings

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Scott Bateman

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
60 global ratings

Top review from the United States

L Flansburg
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow - A Rollercoaster Ride of Adventures in the Venerable C-130
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book tells the amazing tale of the accomplishments and feats of RAF’s 47 Squadron and the C-130’s they fly. C130’s are often treated with disdain as lumbering ugly trash haulers but a read of this book shows they are more - so much more. And the airmen that crew them are definitely talented, creative and fearless. Excellent and entertaining read. The book covers the period from when the RAF got their C130’s in 1967 to their retirement in 2023.
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Top reviews from other countries

Johnny Lincoln
5.0 out of 5 stars Insight par excellence!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
For any aircraft enthusiast this book will inspire, and if you are thinking of going down the road of military air transport this will show you what it's like. "First in, last out" is the whole point of this book.

For anyone who has been in the "Old Firm", then you will enjoy it and it may take you back in nostalgic terms of ships you have loved, and mates you have lost, and the sadness that is all too frequently a part of service life.

However this story is not about Scott Bateman, it is what it says on the tin, the story of one of the greatest (up to now) transport aircraft the world has known, still flown by many air forces around the world, and one imagines that it will be for many years to come.

In Britain, it is now being replaced by the A400 Atlas, and we can only hope that the A400 will do as much sterling service as the "Albert" did and who knows, maybe another legend is currently being born? But the A400 has some very big boots to fill.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A personal account well told
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2024
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It appears I've joined the 2 night reading club, once I'd started reading it was vey difficault to put the book down. Perhaps the title might mislead some to think this a technical account of Albert's time with Blue Grey Airlines, personally I'm glad it was as much a personal journey through RAF life more than a catalogue of events. Some experiences were all too easy to relate to. The narrative offers an interested bystanders view of events in the air, easy to imagine being there.
Although having served in the RAF my only link with Albert was through the many experiences of being an item of self-loading freight so it wasn't difficult to awaken the memories of those cold and noisy journeys in the freight bay most of which happily ended somewhere warmer.
6 people found this helpful
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Harry B
5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing and informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2024
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This is an exciting and engaging read covering many stories from the history of the C130 with emphasis on its time with the RAF. Tales of courage, dedication and determination fill the pages and draw the reader into the story. Many other "adventures" have been excluded due to security limitations but will, hopefully, be told in the future. Highly recommended.
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David
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
What a great story and a great tribute. Flown a number of times as a reluctant passenger in one of these being ferried around as a member of an Air Defence Tornado squadron and hated it ! If I knew back then what I know now my attitude would have been completely different! Scott is clearly a talented, natural storyteller making it an enjoyable and easy read. Highly recommended!
2 people found this helpful
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R. S. Boyce
4.0 out of 5 stars Hercules: An action-packed insider’s account of what it’s like to fly in the RAF's Hercules
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
An interesting read full of adventure
2 people found this helpful
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