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Hercules' safety boost demanded Hercules' safety boost demanded
(30 minutes later)
Relatives of 10 RAF crew shot down in a Hercules over Iraq are to present a petition calling for safety improvements to Downing Street.Relatives of 10 RAF crew shot down in a Hercules over Iraq are to present a petition calling for safety improvements to Downing Street.
The petition of 2858 names demands the entire fleet of Hercules, based at Lyneham, Wiltshire, be fitted with explosive suppressant foam (ESF).The petition of 2858 names demands the entire fleet of Hercules, based at Lyneham, Wiltshire, be fitted with explosive suppressant foam (ESF).
The families say ESF would have offered a greater chance of survival.The families say ESF would have offered a greater chance of survival.
The Hercules was brought down by large-calibre gunfire when a partly empty fuel tank was hit and exploded.The Hercules was brought down by large-calibre gunfire when a partly empty fuel tank was hit and exploded.
Aircraft 'uncontrollable'Aircraft 'uncontrollable'
The explosion in January last year blew the outer portion of the wing off, making the aircraft uncontrollable.The explosion in January last year blew the outer portion of the wing off, making the aircraft uncontrollable.
In a statement, the RAF said: "The Board of Inquiry into the loss of crew of the Hercules could not state that a fuel inerting system, such as Explosion Suppressant Foam would definitely have prevented the crash."In a statement, the RAF said: "The Board of Inquiry into the loss of crew of the Hercules could not state that a fuel inerting system, such as Explosion Suppressant Foam would definitely have prevented the crash."
However it goes on to say that since the loss of the aircraft, "the MoD has studied fuel tank inerting as a matter of urgency and has decided to fit foam to some Hercules aircraft".However it goes on to say that since the loss of the aircraft, "the MoD has studied fuel tank inerting as a matter of urgency and has decided to fit foam to some Hercules aircraft".
Hercules aircraft in the American forces have had ESF fitted in their tanks since the Vietnam war.Hercules aircraft in the American forces have had ESF fitted in their tanks since the Vietnam war.
The Royal Australian Air Force fleet is also fitted with ESF.The Royal Australian Air Force fleet is also fitted with ESF.
The Lyneham crew members were Flt Lt David Stead, 35, Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25, Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, 35, Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42, Chief Technician Richard Brown, 40, Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34, Sgt Robert O'Connor, 38, and Cpl David Williams, 37.
The ninth RAF man on board, Sqn Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, was from Strike Command Headquarters, at RAF High Wycombe.
Acting L/Cpl Steven Jones, 25, was a soldier serving with the Royal Signals and a passenger on the Hercules.