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Hercules inquest hears radio call Hercules inquest hears radio call
(20 minutes later)
The last radio message from an RAF Hercules shot down in Iraq has been heard at the inquest into the deaths of the 10 servicemen on board. The last desperate radio message from an RAF Hercules shot down in Iraq has been heard at the inquest into the deaths of the 10 servicemen on board.
Lance Corporal Steven Jones, a passenger, radioed in "No duff no duff, we are on fire, we are on fire," before all communication was lost.Lance Corporal Steven Jones, a passenger, radioed in "No duff no duff, we are on fire, we are on fire," before all communication was lost.
"No duff" is a term used to signify a genuine emergency rather than a drill."No duff" is a term used to signify a genuine emergency rather than a drill.
The C-130K transporter aircraft was shot down between Baghdad and nearby Balad air base on 30 January 2005.The C-130K transporter aircraft was shot down between Baghdad and nearby Balad air base on 30 January 2005.
Enemy fire pierced a fuel tank causing it to explode and blow off a wing.Enemy fire pierced a fuel tank causing it to explode and blow off a wing.
Wiltshire coroner David Masters, giving his opening address at Trowbridge Town Hall, said: "This was the largest loss of life to hostile action in a single incident sustained by the RAF since the Second World War."Wiltshire coroner David Masters, giving his opening address at Trowbridge Town Hall, said: "This was the largest loss of life to hostile action in a single incident sustained by the RAF since the Second World War."
Small arms fire 'Fearless inquiry'
ESF (explosive-suppressant foam), which prevents fuel tanks exploding if they are hit, was not fitted to the plane.ESF (explosive-suppressant foam), which prevents fuel tanks exploding if they are hit, was not fitted to the plane.
Mr Masters said: "The question is whether the 10 may have survived if their aircraft had been fitted with ESF. It is a question we will seek to address."Mr Masters said: "The question is whether the 10 may have survived if their aircraft had been fitted with ESF. It is a question we will seek to address."
After the crash, the MOD pledged to fit all RAF Hercules with ESF, and a spokesman said that between 20 and 30 now have it.
The coroner said he would also look into why the Hercules was flying at low level in daylight.The coroner said he would also look into why the Hercules was flying at low level in daylight.
He also pledged to examine why a report by US helicopter crews of a small arms fire ambush in the same area, which took place earlier on that day, was not mentioned to the Hercules crew.He also pledged to examine why a report by US helicopter crews of a small arms fire ambush in the same area, which took place earlier on that day, was not mentioned to the Hercules crew.
The MoD pledged following the crash to fit all RAF Hercules with ESF, and a spokesman said that between 20 and 30 now have it. Mr Masters promised families of the 10 victims he would not be deflected from carrying out a "full, frank and fearless inquiry" and said he wanted the inquest to be "as transparent and open as possible".
The victims based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire were: RAF 47 Squadron's Flt Lt David Stead, the pilot, 35; Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25, the co-pilot; Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42; Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34, Australian airman Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, 35 a navigator; and from Lyneham's Engineering Wing, Chief Technician Richard Brown, 40, an avionics specialist; Corporal David Williams, 37, a survival equipment fitter; and Sgt O'Connor, 38, an engineering technician. The victims, who were based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, were: RAF 47 Squadron's Flt Lt David Stead, the pilot, 35; Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25, the co-pilot; Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42; Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34, Australian airman Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, 35 a navigator.
From RAF Lyneham's Engineering Wing were Chief Technician Richard Brown, 40, an avionics specialist; Corporal David Williams, 37, a survival equipment fitter; and Sgt O'Connor, 38, an engineering technician.
Also on board was Sqn Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, from Strike Command Headquarters, RAF High Wycombe.Also on board was Sqn Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, from Strike Command Headquarters, RAF High Wycombe.
Acting L/Cpl Jones, 25, of Fareham, Hampshire, a Royal Signals soldier, was a passenger on the Hercules.Acting L/Cpl Jones, 25, of Fareham, Hampshire, a Royal Signals soldier, was a passenger on the Hercules.