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.

But after making sure the crews, replacement engines, supplies and parts for each of the sleek F/A-18 Hornet fighters that the Blue Angels fly get to where they need to be each week, the pilots assigned to Fat Albert get to.. put the four-engine transport through gut wrenching maneuvers that include taking off at a steep 45-degree angle. The stunt makes those aboard the craft float weightlessly for a few seconds until the plane levels off.
During the show, the plane does tight turns at up to three times the force of gravity, or three Gs..
McGath, who is the senior Fat Albert pilot on the team, is in his third year with the Blue Angels, a job he says is unlike any other he has worked during his 13-year military career. ÒThis has been a great (job), it is the most unique assignment,Ó said McGath, 39, of St. Joseph, Mich. ÒThe C-130 is the most versatile aircraft in the military.Ó
At some.. shows, pilots demonstrate the aircraftÕs eight side-mounted rocket boosters, which allow the plane to take off on shorter runways. -East Bay Times]

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