RAF Provides a C-130J to the Blue Angels
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RAF Provides a C-130J to the Blue Angels
I didn't realize that the Navy and Marine KC-130T's were still grounded. 
Tyler Rogoway writes:
Blue Angels Getting C-130J From Royal Air Force To Replace KC-130T Fat Albert Transport - The Drive
Tyler Rogoway writes:
Eight months after the most deadly crash for the USMC in nearly a decade and half, the Navy and Marine Corps' fleet of KC-130T tanker-transport aircraft remain grounded. As a result the Blue Angels have been without their beloved 'Fat Albert' airlift support plane, leaving a gaping hole in the team's on-demand logistical needs and a favorite part of their air show act. Now it seems the Pentagon has sourced a replacement—from the Royal Air Force.
The move is an interesting one on multiple levels. First off, NAVAIR decided it could not spare a single aircraft from its own KC-130J inventory, of which it has roughly 53 in service, nor could the USAF spare a C-130 airframe apparently either. On the other hand, apparently the Royal Air Force has C-130Js to spare, which stands in stark contrast to what was widely viewed as an airlift deficit over the last decade and a half, although clearly the drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan helped with this issue considerably.
The move is an interesting one on multiple levels. First off, NAVAIR decided it could not spare a single aircraft from its own KC-130J inventory, of which it has roughly 53 in service, nor could the USAF spare a C-130 airframe apparently either. On the other hand, apparently the Royal Air Force has C-130Js to spare, which stands in stark contrast to what was widely viewed as an airlift deficit over the last decade and a half, although clearly the drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan helped with this issue considerably.
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Will that be a loan or permanent?
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Can we have "Provided by the BRITISH Royal Air Force" painted in large letters down the side? I inserted BRITISH because a lot of folk don't understand the simple Royal Air Force.
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Thanks, that's what made me ask as I had heard they were retiring some with the A400 coming on stream.
Thanks, that's what made me ask as I had heard they were retiring some with the A400 coming on stream.
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From The Aviationist:
U.S. Navy Blue Angels Get New “Fat Albert”
June 25, 2019
Stefano D'Urso
The “new” C-130J is actually a divested UK aircraft and was chosen because of the major cost savings. According to the statement provided by NAVAIR “cost savings associated with acquisition of the used aircraft and other airworthiness requirements is approximately $50 million less than the cost of a new aircraft.”
The acquisition of the surplus aircraft from the United Kingdom was due to “high operational tempo and current in demand nature of Navy assets” that prevented the Navy from just taking the replacement aircraft from the fleet.
The former C-130T Fat Albert (BUNO 164763) has been with the Blue Angels since 2002 and was retired in May 2019, after flying more than 30,000 hours in support of the team. One of the main highlights that made Fat Albert famous was the jet-assisted takeoff performed during air shows until 2009, when the last JATO bottle stocks ran out.
The Blue Angels will continue flying Navy or Marine Corps C-130s wearing the standard grey paint scheme, nicknamed “Ernie” by the team, until the replacement aircraft is complete.
Stefano D'Urso
The recently retired C-130T will be replaced by a surplus C-130J from the UK
On June 24, 2019 NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) announced that the acquisition of a new “Fat Albert”, the Blue Angels’ logistics cargo plane, has been approved on June 13. The iconic C-130T is being replaced by a C-130J Super Hercules, which will be delivered in spring 2020 following a $29.7 million contract awarded to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.The “new” C-130J is actually a divested UK aircraft and was chosen because of the major cost savings. According to the statement provided by NAVAIR “cost savings associated with acquisition of the used aircraft and other airworthiness requirements is approximately $50 million less than the cost of a new aircraft.”
The acquisition of the surplus aircraft from the United Kingdom was due to “high operational tempo and current in demand nature of Navy assets” that prevented the Navy from just taking the replacement aircraft from the fleet.
The former C-130T Fat Albert (BUNO 164763) has been with the Blue Angels since 2002 and was retired in May 2019, after flying more than 30,000 hours in support of the team. One of the main highlights that made Fat Albert famous was the jet-assisted takeoff performed during air shows until 2009, when the last JATO bottle stocks ran out.
The Blue Angels will continue flying Navy or Marine Corps C-130s wearing the standard grey paint scheme, nicknamed “Ernie” by the team, until the replacement aircraft is complete.
No C-130's at the US MilitarySurplus Yard in Arizona that would work I guess!
One of the main highlights that made Fat Albert famous was the jet-assisted takeoff performed during air shows until 2009, when the last JATO bottle stocks ran out.
About 8 years ago we went to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to some cold weather testing of the 747-8. Walking around the community, the number of used JATO bottles was amazing - they were used for fences, lawn furniture, all sorts of things. I figured the need hadn't gone away...