Yes, you're referring to Operation Eagle Claw, a complete failure. Two weeks later was Operation Credible Sport, not any more successful.

I remember wondering how a simple peanut farmer was going to pull any of this off. Obviously, not very well.

quote:

Originally posted by mjlennon:
You should take in a Blue Angels airshow. Fat Albert (modified C130) puts on a great demonstration.

I was fortunate enough to see Fat Albert at the Reading Air Show in the late 1990's. The short field landing was incredible. The assisted take-off was spectacular. The sounds and sights associated with that takeoff were music to this gearhead.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
Yes, you're referring to Operation Eagle Claw, a complete failure.

And from that tragic CF came:

quote:

The mission highlighted deficiencies within the U.S. military command structure and led to the creation of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

IIRC, there were two of those rescue C-130s built. One crashed at FT Bragg during testing. Hard to believe it was that long ago. Regards 18DAI

I knew I had some old Fat Albert JATO photos somewhere. I just found them...forgive the quality, they were taken with an olympus 3 mexapixel point and shoot. These are from an airshow I went to in spring 2003 outside of Indianapolis. I know I've been to at least one other show or practice after that one where they used them, but I can't remember when that was.

Fat Albert is still fun to watch, but it's nothing like it was back when they used to use these things. The noise and the smoke was just awesome.