Fat Albert Airlines C-130J Super Hercules Joins Blue Angels

The Blue Angels’ New C-130J Arrives Home to NAS Pensacola. Photo Courtesy of Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Gordon.

Shortly after taking delivery of their first F/A-18E Super Hornet, the Blue Angels’ new C-130J Super Hercules, affectionately known as Fat Albert, has arrived home to NAS Pensacola, Florida following over a year’s worth of overhaul and maintenance.

In May of 2019, the Blue Angels announced the retirement of their C-130T Hercules, which they had utilized for 17 years. Shortly after, Naval Air Systems Command announced the purchase of a C-130J Super Hercules from the Royal Air Force, who was retiring a portion of its C-130 fleet by 2020. The C-130J is capable of flying further and carrying more than the Blue Angels’ previous C-130T, and it also houses modern avionics and a glass cockpit.

As part of the purchase agreement, Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group in Cambridge, England was tasked with the year-long overhaul and paint job. An updated paint scheme was put together, including two stripes down the fuselage instead of one, yellow wing tips and stabilizer tips, and a teardrop design on top of the fuselage.

Following completion of all maintenance and overhaul, the Blue Angels’ C-130 pilots and crew made the trip to Cambridge, England to take delivery of their new aircraft. This delivery included ground engine runs, avionics checks, and multiple test flights. On August 4, the pilots and crew departed Cambridge, England on their transatlantic flight back to the United States. The trip included fuel stops in Iceland and Maine before having to divert to Boston due to a small mechanical issue. The next day, Fat Albert departed Boston and headed to Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas for scheduled maintenance, where it met up with its predecessor, the team’s recently retired C-130T.

The Blue Angels’ new C-130J Poses for a Photo with the Team’s Old C-130T. Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

After nearly two weeks of maintenance and an additional test flight, the Blue Angels’ new C-130J departed Fort Worth on August 17 and made the hour trip to its new home in Pensacola, Florida. Upon arrival to the emerald coast, Fat Albert was joined by the Delta formation, six blue and gold F/A-18 Legacy Hornets. Together, all seven aircraft made two passes up and down Pensacola Beach announcing the C-130J’s homecoming before heading home to NAS Pensacola. Fat Albert made an additional low pass down the runway at NAS Pensacola before coming in to land, greeted by the team’s officers and enlisted personnel.

Fat Albert Arrives Home to Pensacola Florida on August 17. Photo Courtesy of Laura Bogan.

While the new Fat Albert won’t be making an air show appearances in 2020, the pilots and crew will be busy preparing for the 2021 show season, which will also be the Blue Angels’ 75th anniversary season. The team is expected to take delivery of additional F/A-18 Super Hornets later this year and begin transitioning in time for the 2021 show season, which is slated to start in mid-April.

To help celebrate the delivery of the new Fat Albert Airlines, we have released a limited edition Fat Albert Airlines C-130J challenge coin. Only a limited quantity will be made, so be sure to grab yours now. For the latest updates, be sure to stay tuned to our website, social media, and mobile app.