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Hercules inquest hears radio call | Hercules inquest hears radio call |
(about 1 hour later) | |
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. | 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." |
'Fearless inquiry' | '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. |
Enemy fire pierced a fuel tank causing it to explode and blow off a wing | |
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. | 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. |
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". | 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, 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. | 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. | 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. |