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“Fat Albert” C-130 Retires From Blue Angel Duties

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 12:23 am
by RyanS
Not sure if this will get noticed in the Blue Angel schedule thread, but it's a pretty big deal that deserves a thread I think.

The Blues have suddenly and unceremoniously flown their C-130T "Fat Albert" for the last time, dropping her off in Fort Worth to be used as a ground trainer. They are pursuing the RAF C-130J to replace her but will have to borrow Ernie in the mean time.

I'm a little surprised that she didn't go to a museum given her lengthy history with the team

https://airshowstuff.com/v4/2019/fat-al ... el-duties/

Re: “Fat Albert” C-130 Retires From Blue Angel Duties

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 12:26 am
by RyanS

Re: “Fat Albert” C-130 Retires From Blue Angel Duties

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 12:26 am
by RyanS
In fact, I think the entire AirshowStuff crew has had the privilege of riding in Bert at some point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vd7IVaIn_0

Re: “Fat Albert” C-130 Retires From Blue Angel Duties

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 12:29 am
by RyanS
And of course, we all miss JATO. I would kill for a chance to record a JATO with a modern video camera! I'll have to work on posting some old footage we have.

Re: “Fat Albert” C-130 Retires From Blue Angel Duties

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 12:30 am
by RyanS
Here's a post from the Blue Angels:

https://www.facebook.com/USNavyBlueAnge ... &__tn__=-R
It's a bittersweet day for us as we say our final farewell to our venerable C-130T, Fat Albert.

Fat Albert has served the Blue Angels honorably the past 17 years, flown more than 30,000 hours in support of our mission, and represented the United States Marine Corps to millions of fans.

This 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).

While this may come as a shock to many of our fans, we have known this day was coming. The team will be transported via Fleet-provided logistics, until a permanent replacement aircraft is identified. Fat Albert will enjoy her retirement as a ground-based training aid in Fort Worth, Texas.

Re: “Fat Albert” C-130 Retires From Blue Angel Duties

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 12:39 am
by 03orangewing
Love me some Fat Albert.

Re: “Fat Albert” C-130 Retires From Blue Angel Duties

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 2:13 am
by sturek
Here's a picture of the last time I saw Fat Albert, 13 October 2018.
MEV_AvaitionRoundup_14Oct201829-X2.jpg
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Re: “Fat Albert” C-130 Retires From Blue Angel Duties

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 9:38 am
by Ack
Glad I was able to see Bert fly a few times before retirement....
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Re: “Fat Albert” C-130 Retires From Blue Angel Duties

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 10:10 pm
by GO NAVY
Sad news☹️ In 2001 I got to ride with the crew on their last airshow of the year in Pensacola. The pilot did parabolas in the air just so the crew could become weightless for few seconds. It was also the CAPT Hall's last flight with the team and they gave him a water salute as we taxied to the hangar - a ride I'll never forget!
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Re: “Fat Albert” C-130 Retires From Blue Angel Duties

Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 7:08 am
by Peggy Sue Zinn
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Watching Fat Albert fly in is a family tradition. We spend half the day with a picnic at the airport, to see our first site of him and then my daughters like to go watch as they unload him. Fat Albert is my daughters, passion and her favorite part of the whole show. Sure hope you get the new one before you come to Traverse City the next time. Last time you flew in without him, my daughter moped the entire cherry fest week. Up side, this love of C130s has inspired her to combine her dream of being a fire fighter with the desire to fly big planes, to make her life goal being a smoke eater. We will see the team next year at open deck. I am sure my daughter will find C 130 crew for a chat.