'Fat Albert Airlines' fly a Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, operated by an all-Marine Corps crew of three officers and six enlisted, transports all maintenance and support personnel and equipment necessary to support a Blue Angels flight demonstration. "Fat Albert," as the C-130 is affectionately know, carries a normal show-load of 25,000 pounds of sophisticated parts and equipment, 46,000 pounds of fuel, and a specialized maintenance and support team. Four Allison turboprop engines provide the power to land on and depart a field as short as 2,500 feet. Fat Albert also demonstrates the jet resisted Take Off at selected airshows. Eight solid-fuel rockets are attached to the sides of the aircraft just ahead of the rear paratrooper doors. Using this additional thrust, the aircraft is able to take off in less than 1,500 feet and climb at an angle of 45-degrees to an altitude of more than 1,000 feet in minimum time. The maneuverability and short-field assault capabilities are also demonstrated by 60-degree angle-of-bank turns, a high-speed, low altitude pass and a short-field assault landing.
* USMC Major Stuart Smith, C-130 Pilot
* USMC Captain Darren Martin, C-130 Pilot
* USMC Captain Rob Wunderlich Jr., C-130 Pilot
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Photo by Char on Sunday, July 06, 1997 at the Fargo AirSho.