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Atmosphotography — One Last Time
Published: 2009-10-05 19:52:54 +0000 UTC; Views: 1846; Favourites: 67; Downloads: 0
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Description
The Blue Angels' transport C-130, affectionately known as "Fat Albert" has been demonstrating the JATO (Jet Assisted Take Off) for years. The problem now is that there aren't many JATO bottles left. The newer Hercules models don't need JATO at all, and so they haven't made them in several years. The stores are running low, and Fat Albert will make his final JATO demo next month at the Pensacola airshow, which is the Blue Angels' homecoming. But they made the decision to go ahead and do one last JATO takeoff at Miramar.This is an awesome sight, and it was a great thrill to see it one last time.
MCAS Miramar, 2009.
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Comments: 23
Man that sucks especially since I've had the opportunity to see it once and missed it because of my whiny siblings. Just as we walked past the gate I heard the JATO bottles fire.
Great shot really enjoy the dark contrast this the flames.
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No more JATO takeoffs? Dang... That was one of my favorite parts of the show.
Great capture, by the way. Love the contrast between the rocket light and the overall darkness of the photo.
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I'm not accustomed to shooting at night, so this was definitely a challenge. If I had a newer camera, I could have pumped up the ISO like crazy, and it wouldn't have been as much of an issue.
This old 20D of mine is on it's last legs, I just hope it holds out a couple more years.
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These recent deviations couldn't come at a better time. I'm headed to Edwards AFB for a pre-airshow tour/dinner on the 16th.
Seems like you're up on the air show circuit, know of anything that I should especially look out for?
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The flightline at Edwards is pretty far from the showbox, so make sure you've got a long lens. The showbox is also very backlit, so be really aware of your exposure settings. Unfortunately, there's not going to be a demo team (t-birds, snowbirds, etc.) but you'll get some great ACC demos (F-22, F-16, A-10, C-17, etc.)
Be ready for the C-17 demo. Doesn't sound that exciting, but it's probably the second best demo at the show.
Also, they'll probably do an Edwards fleet flyby, which is always pretty cool.
You might get lucky and they'll put the F-35 on static display. Check to see if it's the genuine article, or a model. (they've got a wooden F-35 that they send around the airshow circuit.) You'll be able to tell by how far away the ropes are, and whether there are any seems on the body.
Hydrate..... Hydrate.... Hydrate....
Have fun. Wish I could make Edwards this year.
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I love the C-17. I got to climb all over the first one they sent to the NATO base in Papa, Hungary. The view out the top hatch was awesome.
I'm not sure if I'll actually be there for the show but I get to go behind the scenes and see everything closeup the day before the show. Gota love working for Boeing
Hope they let me bring my camera.
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A friend, why used to fly this aircraft said that every time they lit the JATOs, they held their breath. Apparently they don't always fire predictably, and when they don't there is a strong pull to the side that does not fire - asymmetrical thrust.
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Gotta love the JATO!! Never seen this in person, and I missed this one by a week. lol
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Saw this demo in Muskegon, MI during an airshow a few years back. It was incredible to say the least. That's too bad it's being ended, but great shot.
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Aww, I'll miss this. It's like a whale with a rocket up its backside.
I always wanted to get a hold of some of those JATO bottles and bolt them to my car... just in case.
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Now that's just a failure of epic proportions!
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Nah, it's just the forward march of progress. I will miss it, but I understand why it's not necessary anymore.
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Nah. Nothing is more forward that JATO (well maybe ZEL).
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Time marches on. I'm sure the Blue Angels will get one of the new C-130's soon.
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I wouldn't bet on it. They're still using A and B model Hornets. Not even C and D. They get the old stuff and they have to make it look like a million bucks, which they do, easily. The Thunderbirds have the oldest F-16s in the fleet. Or they did until they gave them Block 52 Vipers this year. I hope you're right, and they give them a J model Herk, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
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Then again, their planes are not subject to the wear and tear the in-service jets are.
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No, they fly much more with older equipment. The average fighter flies once or twice per week (when not in combat operations), These guys fly a guaranteed twice or more per week during show season, and several times a day during spring training. Not to mention ferrying the aircraft all around the world. Those Hornets are well past their life expectancy.
Also, The average fighter isn't usually flown for a long period of time under the high G environment. They're usually flying under straight and level attitudes until a target is reached, there's a short period of yanking and banking, and then it's back to straight and level. The Blues (especially the solos) are flying for 35 minutes at a time in a high G environment twice per weekend, plus much more for spring training.
So, I'd go so far as to say that the Blues aircraft are subject to much MORE wear and tear than in-service jets. Some of their aircraft have been in service since the late 70s, early 80s.
They at least need to give them C/D models if they won't give them E/F.
You don't send your best soldiers to the recruiting station, you don't send your best fighters to the recruiting station either.
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You learn something new every day.
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