Blue Angels retiring this Fat Albert

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team announced this week it is retiring its current C-130T cargo plane, known as "Fat Albert." The cargo accompanies the demonstration team on shows. "The Fat Albert program still exists, a decision just has to be made as to what the replacement aircraft will be," Lt. Cmdr. David Gardner, the team's spokesman, said Thursday, The Department of Defense is looking at replacement options including the purchase of C-130J aircraft from the British Royal Air Force. Fat Albert reached the end of its flying life after 17 years with the team, accumulating more than 30,000 flight hours. The team is based at Naval Air Station Pensacola. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 05/23/19)