Posted on 05/23/2019 1:43:39 PM PDT by Red Badger
PENSACOLA , Fla. (WEAR-TV) — The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are bidding farewell to their C-130T aircraft.
The Blue Angels announced on Wednesday the aircraft known as Fat Albert is officially retiring.
The Navy says Fat Albert has served the Blue Angels for 17-years and flown more than 30,000 hours in support of their missions.
According to the U.S. Navy the current airframe, BUNO 164763, has been with the team since 2002 and was the last C-130 to conduct a jet-assisted take-off (JATO).
The Navy says their team will be transported via Fleet-provided logistics until a permanent replacement aircraft is identified.
Officials told Channel 3 News Fat Albert "will enjoy her retirement as a ground-based training aid in Fort Worth, Texas."
You can share your photos of Fat Albert here.
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Hey hey hey. Is it because the Cos is in prison?
Time to go shopping at Davis-Monthan.
CC
Here you go!
Fat Albert JATO takeoff: https://youtu.be/VHOvoO-6nWQ
Filmed at the MCAS Miramar Twilight Air Show in San Diego, CA, on Saturday October 3, 2009!
Enjoy!
No, it’s cos the air frame is old.................
Got to set me up some of those on my 2000 Civic....
A well deserved retirement.
Hopefully, the replacement will be a C-130J. Here's a video of the "J" performing at the Farnborough Air Show 2018.
JATO ? I’d like to see a couple units strapped to Nanny Pelosi and send her on her inaugural flight without her broomstick for old times sake too.. one last time.
Yeah. I know.
Funny that you showed the C-130J at Farnborough.
Ironically enough, the U.S. Navy has already contracted with the UK to purchase an RAF C-130J for use as Fat Albert's replacement.
Ha! I wonder if it said “Acme” on the side of the JATO unit?
PS .. This week and week-end in the South Bay.
Wings of Freedom Tour – Moffett Field thru the 17th-25th of May
https://www.collingsfoundation.org/event/mountain-view-moffett-federal-airfield/
I was wondering why a B-25 kept making low level runs over our place. ;-)
The last and only c-130 I rode on was from Subic to Futemna. 1974. Damn, those things shake.
Actually that was a rocket-assisted takeoff.
I’m amazed these planes are still flying. I think the first one flew at Kitty Hawk.
Nope, C-130Js are coming off the line even as we text.
There are, apparently, no more JATO bottles in the Navy inventory; a hurricane wiped them out several years ago and they are no longer needed.
The Fat Albert JATO takeoff was simply a magnificent element in the Blue Angels Airsow!
I have seen the Blue Angels Airshow a number of times, dating back to 1964, and each JATO takeoff was a thrill to watch!
I bet the pilots love it too! As a retired Naval Aviator, I can only imagine that it generates the same sort of visceral thrill that an aircraft carrier catapult shot generates!
Unfortunately, I do not recall when the JATO takeoff was added to the show, but it was a loss when they quit doing it!
Once saw Fat Albert do a JATO. It was amazing.
I have a lot of experience on the "J" and know the pilot that flies the airshows.
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