THE HERCS

(Sung to the tune of "The Sloop John Dee" - A soldier's memories of flights with 40 Sqn)

              It was on the Herc O One

                My army life just begun

   Out from Auckland Base we had flown

                   A big airspeed drop

             They've feathered a prop

             Oh wake up the Engineer

                      To get me home

                            CHORUS

                     Light up the GTC

              Get all the Nav aids set

         You'll find the Captain and Co

                In the Nurses' home

                  I want to go home

                Please get me home

                 Wake up the Loadie

                  I want to go home

             It was on the Herc O Two

           With the same special crew

  Out past Kaipara Heads we had flown

              My first parachute flight

                  Only water in sight

        Oh where's the Jump Master

                   To get me home

          It was on the Herc O Three

        The Captain the crew and me

  Out from Saigon we had just flown

                An eight hour flight

              Black turbulent night

               Oh wake up the Nav

               To find a way home

           It was on the Herc O Four

        Landing I'm first out the door

  Home on Christmas leave I had flown

             All the presents the cost

         But my luggage they've lost

              Bugger Air Movements

             I just want to go home

          It was on the Herc O Five

            A Veteran I'm still alive

     On my demob flight I have flown

              I think of each crew

          Great things that they do

         I'll shout them a cool beer

                Before I go home!

While serving with 40 Squadron we were on a survival exercise in the Southern Alps prior to our annual trip to Scotts Base in the Antarctic. Each team was expected to come up with something to lighten up the night in our hut.

Thinking of some of the old service songs we used to hear in the Mess I scribbled the attached. These lyrics were accepted by the Squadron Commander.

When flying on long trips we always invited troops onto the flight deck to give them a break and it was not unusual for them to see the crew relaxing. In the chorus the nurses home referred to was at an overnight stopover where young Captains and Co-Pilots were made welcome. Therefore, the lyrics are a light hearted view from a soldier's experience of flying on the Squadron Aircraft.

Note: The letters GTC in the Chorus refer to the Hercs auxiliary power unit.

Submitted to Aircrew Remembered November 2014 by Jim Beaton Loadmaster RNZAF and RAF retired.