Photo Credit: Jeff Wood, PH2: The Blue Angel C-130, with its all Marine crew, during JATO. 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). They put on an exhilarating show that is almost impossible not to enjoy. The demanding logistic duties that were needed for the aircraft support for The Blue Angels team could only be managed and fulfilled by an aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules. 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. 173. 164763 that flew more than 30,000 hours with the Blue Angels … A Few Shots of Everyone’s Favorite C-130: Fat Albert The Blue Angels are the highlight of pretty much every airshow they fly at. The Blue Angels' show kicks off with their giant C-130 Hercules, nicknamed "Fat Albert" (yes, after the kid on the Cosby Show). share. By tradition, the two Marines rotating off the 2009 Fat Albert crew were presented specially painted and decorated JATO bottles. The Fat Albert JATO launch had passed into history, and the empty bottles were enshrined in the National Museum of Naval Aviation just down the ramp from the Blue Angel hangar at Pensacola. The first Jet-Assisted Take-Off (JATO) performance by the Blue Angels’ C-130, affectionately known as “Fat Albert”, took place at NAS Pensacola, FL in November of 1975. The Navy … As most peeps know, former RAF ZH885 C-130J got given to the US Navy Blue Angels as new Fat Albert via Marshall’s Aerospace who done it up, made it airworthy and painted in the iconic colors. The JATO take-off by the massive C-130T is probably the only memorable Hercules take-off, or at least the most well-known take-off display. They put on an exhilarating show that is almost impossible not to enjoy. The C-130 Hercules was an ideal choice for the demanding logistical duties the Blue Angels would need out of their support aircraft, and it was indeed a match made in heaven. A Few Shots of Everyone’s Favorite C-130: Fat Albert. save hide report. Fat Albert last JATO take-off Before the Blue Angels perform their display with the six F-18C Hornets, the C-130T “Fat Albert” starts the show with the JATO take-off, followed by a 5 minute display. U.S. Navy Blue Angels retire Fat Albert C-130 Hercules after more than 30,000 flight hours in 17 years. Fat Albert has served the Blue Angels honourably the past 17 years, flown more than 30,000 hours in support of their mission, and represented the United States Marine Corps (USMC) to millions of fans. Blue Angels C-130 Hercules – Fat Albert JATO Take-off. 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 old “Fat Albert” has flown her last show. U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, C-130 transport aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, takes off during a demonstration at the California International Airshow at the Salinas Municipal Airport. Serious Power: JATO on Blue Angels' C-130 "Fat Albert" Close. The old Fat Albert, a C-130T Hercules transport, flew more than 30,000 hours in support of the Blue Angels and was retired in May 2019. On May 23, 2019, we announced that U.S. Navy Blue Angels retire Fat Albert C-130 Hercules after more than 30,000 flight hours in 17 years. The iconic role of Fat Albert with The Blue Angels started back in 1970. So here are my photos from this mornin‘s Maiden Test flight from EGSC. JATO (acronym for jet-assisted take-off), is a type of assisted take-off for helping overloaded aircraft into the air by providing additional thrust in the form of small rockets.The term JATO is used interchangeably with the (more specific) term RATO, for rocket-assisted take-off (or, in RAF parlance, RATOG, for rocket-assisted take-off gear). SSgt. It was like a match made in heaven for the team and this aircraft. The Blue Angels are the highlight of pretty much every airshow they fly at. New comments cannot … This thread is archived. 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). 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. This is the MARINE CORPS portion of the Blue Angels demonstration! It is flown by an all-Marine Corps crew of three pilots and five enlisted personnel. Serious Power: JATO on Blue Angels' C-130 "Fat Albert" 17 comments. Fat Albert Putting on its Show Fat Albert taking off . 97% Upvoted. Eight solid fuel JATO rocket bottles, each producing 1,000 pounds of thrust, helped propel Fat Albert skyward and captivated millions of spectators each year. The first Blue Angels JATO performance took place at NAS Pensacola in November 1975. The current “Fat Albert” has flown her last show. Smoke pours from the eight rockets strapped to Fat Albert during jet-assisted takeoff. The Blue Angels Jet Assisted Fat Albert C-130 video shows an amazing takeoff of this C-130 (JATO) jet assisted take off Blue Angels aircraft. cheers Fat Albert is also part of the air show, opening the Blue Angels’ act by flying over crowds and doing its own fancy maneuvers. The BUNO 164763, was with the team since 2002 and was the last C … It takes part in the display team’s flying performances, as well as being a crucial support aircraft, carrying the Blue Angels’ tools, spare parts and engineers. Fat Albert serves as the Blue Angels’ Flight Demonstration Squadron (NFDS) logistical support aircraft. Eddie Kemp installs a stand-by filter assembly on one of Fat Albert’s engines. 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. Blue Angels Fat Albert C 130 Team with JATO Takeoff As you may already know, the U.S. Navy retired last year the former “Fat Albert” C-130T Bu.No. Posted by 2 years ago. Thanks to its versatile airframe, the C-130 Hercules is the longest continuously produced military aircraft in history with the latest version, the C-130J Super Hercules, still produced … The part of the show that many people unfortunately overlook is one of my favorite parts. 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