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Hercules

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

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 this legendary flying machine in peace and war, at home and abroad.

Brought to you by Penguin. 
 
The legendary story of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules jet, told through the eyes of former RAF captain Scott Bateman 
 
 
Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow. Whether it’s 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. 
 
First conceived in the 1950s, the US-built Lockheed C-130 Hercules earned its spurs flying difficult and dangerous missions in the Vietnam War before entering service with air forces around the world. Originally designed as transport aircraft, the Hercules has been pressed into service as an aerial tanker, gunship, spyplane, air-sea rescuer and bomber. It’s even been flown from an aircraft carrier - the largest aeroplane ever to do so. Instantly recognisable, it became synonymous with daring special forces missions like the legendary raid in Entebbe in which dozens hostages were rescued from the clutches of terrorists. In RAF colours its seen action on every continent on the planet including Antarctica, flying life and death missions in the Falklands, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Sudan and all points in between. 
 
Former RAF Hercules Captain Scott Bateman opens the cockpit to give an action-packed insider’s account of what it’s like to fly this legendary flying machine in peace and war, and at home abroad, paying tribute to the remarkable men and women who operated this much loved aircraft, and to those comrades in arms who, in doing so, made the ultimate sacrifice. 
 
‘The literary equivalent to injecting pure adrenaline into your brain via your eyeball … it’s a blast from start to finish’ AVIATION HISTORIAN 
 
©2024 Scott Bateman (P)2024 Penguin Audio

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.

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