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Hercules inquest hears radio call Hercules 'on fire' inquest told
(about 3 hours 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 was read out 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, 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, 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.
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.
A US Army servicemen, known as C, later told the inquest he had witnessed the Hercules being hit by a "fire ball" before it disappeared from view.A US Army servicemen, known as C, later told the inquest he had witnessed the Hercules being hit by a "fire ball" before it disappeared from view.
Enemy fire pierced a fuel tank causing it to explode and blow off a wingEnemy fire pierced a fuel tank causing it to explode and blow off a wing
Another unnamed US serviceman said the plane was flying at about 150ft (46m) when it was hit by "some kind of missile" causing a massive mid-air explosion.Another unnamed US serviceman said the plane was flying at about 150ft (46m) when it was hit by "some kind of missile" causing a massive mid-air explosion.
And E, a third US Army witness, said he saw a fire ball hit the underside of the Hercules at an altitude of about 500ft (152m), which he thought was "low for such a big plane." And E, a third US Army witness, said he saw a fire ball hit the underside of the Hercules at an altitude of about 500ft (152m), which he thought was "low for such a big plane".
Bernard Collaery, for Kellie Merritt, widow of Flt Lt Pardoel, said RAF Air Warfare Centre experts maintain that Hercules planes should never fly at this altitude especially in daylight - an issue he would be pursuing later in the inquest.Bernard Collaery, for Kellie Merritt, widow of Flt Lt Pardoel, said RAF Air Warfare Centre experts maintain that Hercules planes should never fly at this altitude especially in daylight - an issue he would be pursuing later in the inquest.
Wing Commander John Reid, president of the military Board of Inquiry into the accident, recapped findings from the probe, which recommended a review of Hercules C130 tactics, the improvement of communications between US and UK personnel and the installation of ESF (explosive-suppressant foam) on RAF Hercules.
Wing Cdr Reid told the inquest that ESF prevents the build-up in a fuel tank of a highly-explosive air/fuel vapour mix in the ullage - the air space formed in the tank as fuel is used.
Blocks of the foam fill the inside of the tanks, which are in the wings, so there is no ullage for vapour to build up in.
The inquest was adjourned until Tuesday
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.
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