On 22 May 2019, the C-130T Hercules of the US Navy Flight Demonstration Team "Blue Angels" has said goodbye to its active service life. The plane will become an instructional airframe at NAS JRB Fort Worth (TX). The Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) was often one of the highlights of the Blue Angels show.

On 22 May 2019, the C-130T Hercules of the US Navy Flight Demonstration Team "Blue Angels" has said goodbye to its active service life. The plane will become an instructional airframe at NAS JRB Fort Worth (TX). The Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) was often one of the highlights of the Blue Angels show.

Operating as Blue Angels support ship

'Fat Albert' is pictured about to touch down on rw31L after its mini-display for the crowds watching at the Museum of Flight and around the BFI perimeter.

Pictured parked upon the military ramp at BFI.

This was Blue Angels Fat Albert #1 in the original white colours - although there are many online shots of the later blue/yellow colours on the replacement Hercules (surprising to find six different ones have been used since), it is much less commonly found in this scheme. Replaced a C-121J support aircraft in 1970 and served the Angels till 1973, then reverting to a normal Marines career which took her through to AMARC retirement in 2.06

The Blue Angels support ship operated by the US Marine Corps. The name over the forward entry door reads "Fat Albert Airlines". A Blue Angels A-4 Skyhawk is in the background.

"Fat Albert" is looking a little faded in retirement. This aircraft thrilled airshow crowds from 1991 to 2002 with its spectacular JATO assisted takeoffs.