Lockheed C-130T 'Hercules' flown by the USMC. Known as quot;Fat Albert Airlinesquot; it supports the USN Blue Angels. The Herc is flown by Major Stefan Mueller, Major Matt McGath, and Captain Russ Campbell.
ÒThis is unique to the Blue Angels,Ó McGath said about a transport being used to perform aerobatic maneuvers.

Fat Albert pilots learn how to push the large aircraft to its limits or brush up on the skills to do so each year from early January to mid-March, before the Blue Angels hit the air-show circuit. And only experienced pilots with 1,250 hours of flight time can qualify to fly Fat Albert for the team, McGath said. [Eastbay Times]

Condensation contrails spin off the propeller blade tips.

Photo by Bob Nelson, Fargo AirSho practice across from the NDSU Rugby field.