Now this would not be a hard decider, A C-130 X 5 Options

[Ian Warren]

Latest read , the type appears to be closer to entering service with the Japanese AF , running in similar timing as the 400, maybe the better option but as Paul said 8 years will tell ... all go with 16s and the LAV cockup , all politics , an airlifter dose get priority i spose to all other types , i recon be second hand 'J's .

[Naki]

Hmm the only second hand Js around are the RAFs that might be available in a few years time when they get A400s but they will almost be stuffed by then (very high utilisation rate)

The Germans are getting rid of some A400s which they are committed to..maybe an option?

[cowpatz]

Maybe we could sell a whole heap of Lavs!

[Ian Warren]

I'll buy one ... not changing the paint job tho .. OK fair enough , no bushmaster gun .. just to intimidated in my neighbour HOOD

[jastheace]

yeah i can just see you cruising the hood in a lav!! my 2c worth i would be surprised if they go for anything other than a c130, i think you may find that it could come from the us desert stock they have quite a cache sitting out there, i hope for the a/f sake they buy new, look at the millage they have gotten out of the hercs, which were brought new

[Naki]

Theres no J models stored anyhwre for sale - if anything less than the J model is bought it would be backward step - our H models have Glass cockpits and other improvemnets - personally they should replaced the Hercs a few years back instead of updating at a cost of many millions for only few years use.

[Ian Warren]

if anything less than the J model is bought it would be backward step -

Example: replacing a Huey for an upgrade is ideal .. the UH has done its time , the A400 dose have its potential with the extra payload course able to move larger dimension cargo's , slightly quicker , be interesting to see pricing and when they start deciding what best , Herc production still going strong and we as mentioned are tooled up for fix's and this include's many fix's and a money spinner in maintainace for NZ aircraft engineers , eight years time its the bean counters that decide .

[Naki]

Just seen some info on pricing...not sure how accurate it is but about $50-60m US for J model Herc, $150m for the A400, $200m + for the C-17....so big difference between the A400 and C-130J

[Naki]

The RAAF is defnitely getting 10 C-27Js...whether that has any bearing of what we get remains to be seen:

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/05...-the-air-force/

[jastheace]

don't be surprised if these are the ones that the us military are mothballing due to financial issues, i know the us want to be rid of these

[deeknow]

Some info and a few pics and a vid on Mike Condon's blog following on the C-27 RAAF purchase...
http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com.au/2012/05...7j-spartan.html