Category Archives: Technology

Once a Red Coat, now a Blue Angel

Video September 6, 2020 Hutchins AAron

The retired ‘Fat Albert’ C-130T, brought out for public Pandemic moral display. (Texas Air National Guard photo by Julie Briden-Garcia, 06MAY2020.

On 06MAY2020, the retired C-130T Fat Albert was brought out to help fight CoViD-19 at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. After 30-thousand hours of flying in support of the Blue Angels demo team, C-130T Fat Albert was retired to static display duty in 2019.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Jess Gray, 28JUL2020.

The new C-130J Fat Albert on second functional check-flight over Cambridge, England, 28JUL2020.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Jess Gray, 28JUL2020.

The ‘new’ Blue Angels Fat Albert is actually an old British empire Royal Air Force C-130J, which underwent rebuild by Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group in United Kingdom. A Forbes report says it cost U.S. taxpayers $29.7-million. (which isn’t too bad, considering that in 2014 a new C-130J would cost between $67-million and $167-million depending on options)

Video by Marshall Aerospace, dressing the bare-metal C-130J in its new Blue Angels uniform:

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Jess Gray, 06AUG2020.

On 06AUG2020, C-130J Fat Albert arrived on Fort Worth Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Texas.

Video, by Petty Officer Second Class Cody Hendrix, C-130J Fat Albert flying over algae bloom off the Atlantic coast of Florida, 17AUG2020:

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Cody Hendrix, 17AUG2020.

Nobody is on the beach, what is this, CoViD-19 lockdown?

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 1989.

This is a photo I took of a C-130T Fat Albert at the Vandenberg AFB air show in California, Spring 1989. Notice that it is not painted blue and white.

Bare Metal: C-130 PAINT PREP, OR THE EMPEROR GETS SOME NEW CLOTHES

C-130T, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, 04MAR2014. Photo by Staff Sergeant Oscar L Olive the Fourth.

C-130T promotional video by Staff Sergeant Oscar L Olive the Fourth:

Technology

After 75 years the War is still over!

Video August 13, 2020 Hutchins AAron

U.S. Navy photos by Petty Officer Second Class Jessica Blackwell, Petty Officer Second Class Kenneth Rodriguez, Petty Officer Third Class Christina Ross, Petty Officer Third Class Wesley Richardson, and Seaman Jaimar Carson Bondurant.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in the Pacific, the United States military is assembling surviving WW2 aircraft at Pearl Harbor (aka Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham), Hawaii.

Most of the airplanes were sailed-in aboard the USS Essex-LHD 2. Video by Petty Officer Second Class Kenneth Rodriguez:

Some of you might say that the low-wing twin-engined aircraft, parked next to the PBY Catalina, is not from World War Two, and you’re correct. The USS Essex was also delivering a C-12U Huron to the Hawaiian Air National Guard. Hawaii Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Andrew Jackson.

An old pre-war Boeing Stearman–Kaydet, Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 26JUL2020.

Kaydet load-up, Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 26JUL2020. Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

The workhorse U.S. training aircraft of WW2 is the T-6 Texan, known as SNJ in the U.S. Navy/Marines. The aircraft was so successful it was used decades after the war ended, by various countries around the world.

T-6/SNJ load-up aboard USS Essex at Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 25JUL2020. Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

This Texan is in U.S. Air Force markings, which is post-WW2 as the USAF was created in September 1947, two years after WW2 ended.

Video, T-6/SNJ off-loaded in Hawaii, 10AUG2020:

More T-6/SNJ off-load videos, 10AUG2020:

Commemorative Air Force (originally known as Confederate Air Force) FM-2 (General Motors version of F4F) Wildcat.

Video, Wildcat upload, load-up aboard USS Essex at Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 27JUL2020. Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

P-51D Mustang.

Video, P-51D upload, load-up aboard USS Essex at Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 27JUL2020. Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

Video, P-51D off-load in Hawaii, 11AUG2020:

B-25 Mitchell.

U.S. Navy photo by Shannon Haney, 10AUG2020.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant. Anthony Nelson Junior, 10AUG2020.

The U.S. Army Air Force’s B-25 was the first U.S. aircraft to bomb Japan, flown off the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet-CV 8 (The Doolittle Raid). B-25 off-load video by Petty Officer Second Class Jessica Blackwell:

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Ryan Jenkins, 25AUG2020.

Less than one month later, ‘Old Glory’ crashed in California.

The F8F Bearcat was developed during the war, but the war ended before it could be used in battle.

Bearcat load-up, Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 26JUL2020. Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

Video, F8F off-load in Hawaii, 11AUG2020:

TBM Avenger.

Video, Avenger off-load:

At the end of July a PBY Catalina arrived at Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego. Video by Senior Chief Petty Officer Michael Jones:

Loading a Catalina onboard USS Essex, Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego. Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

Another PBY arrives at Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 29JUL2020, gets hoisted aboard USS Essex.

PBY Catalina in Hawaii, 12AUG2020. Video by Petty Officer Second Class Lexie Perez:

The 75th WW2 Commemoration has been ongoing since May (the end of the war in Europe) and will conclude in September (the end of the war in Pacific).

Here’s a music video explainer edited by Kevin Dawson:

B-25 ¡PANCHITO!

T-6 Texans; the first Airborne Hurricane Hunters

SALVAGING F4U CORSAIRS

HOW TO PAINT YOUR 1:1 SCALE B-17 MEMPHIS BELLE WITH ‘PERIOD CORRECT’ PAINT

Technology

21st Century Alpha-Jet

Video July 31, 2020 Hutchins AAron

On 19APR2022, it was reported that yet another Nigerian Alpha Jet crashed, killing the crew.

A contracted Canadian Alpha Jet, on 5 Wing Goose Bay, Newfoundland, 14JUN2021.
Canadian Forces photo by Master Corporal Krista Blizzard.

Alpha Jet on display at the Paris Air Show on Le Bourget Airfield, June 1989. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Dave Casey.

Qatari Alpha Jet, April 1992, USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Lee Corkran.

NATO’s Cold War era Alpha-Jet was a joint production between Germany’s Dornier and France’s Dassault. The first prototype flew in October 1973. The Alpha-Jet is still in use today.

French Alpha Jet at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, 13NOV2019. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Mikayla Whiteley.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Mikayla Whiteley, 13NOV2019.

French Air Force Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet from Tours – Saint-Symphorien Air Base arrives at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, 29AUG2018. USAF photo by Airman First Class John A. Crawford.

USAF photo by Airman First Class John A. Crawford, 29AUG2018.

In January 2018, Portugal’s last Alpha-Jet took off on its final flight.

Air Affairs Australia and Discovery Air Defence Services, contracted Alpha-Jets, March 2017.

Canada’s TopAces offers contracted military training Alpha-Jets.

Top Aces’ Alpha Jet, Cold Lake, Alberta, 14JUN2018. Canadian Forces photo by Corporal Bryan Carter.

A Top Aces’ Alpha Jet, Cold Lake, Alberta,18JUN2018. Canadian Forces photo by Ordinary Seaman Erica Seymour.

A Top Aces Dornier Alpha Jet over Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, 07FEB2018. Canadian Forces photo by Corporal Manuela Berger.

A Top Aces Alpha Jet on Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 09FEB2018. Canadian Forces photo by Corporal Manuela Berger.

Royal Thai Alpha Jet, Korat Air Base, March 2016. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Aaron Oelrich.

Royal Thai Alpha Jet, U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Mandaline Hatch, 16FEB2015.

Edited video, from videos by Airman Greg Cerny and Staff Sergeant Laura Beckley, Royal Canadian/TopAces Alpha Jets at Happy Valley-Goose Bay, October 2015:

A contracted Canadian Forces Alpha Jet flies over the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, in Michigan, 11AUG2014. Michigan Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant David Kujawa.

A Michigan C-130 Hercules escorted by Royal Canadian/TopAces Alpha Jets over Rogers City, Michigan, August 2014. Michigan Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Scott Thompson.

Belgian Alpha Jet refuels in Germany, 11FEB2014. NATO photo by Andre Joosten.

Nigerian Alpha-Jet.

Niger has a problem with its refurbished Alpha Jets; “Troops of Operation Desert Sanity on clearance patrol in Sambisa Forest, Borno State, have uncovered the wreckage of crashed Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar with two crew members on 31 March 2021.”–Nigerian Army statement

2016 Nigerian news report about upgraded Alpha-Jet delivery:

Nigerian Air Force refurbishes another Alpha Jet

Egypt operated (operates?) Alpha-Jets known as versions MS1 and MS2.

Some of Morocco’s Alpha-Jets have been upgraded for atmospheric/cloud seeding work.

In 2007, a single privately owned (H211) Alpha-Jet began atmospheric testing operations under the code name AJAX. It’s based at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California, and was recently featured on the Discovery Channel:

AJAX stands for Alpha Jet Atmospheric eXperiment.

Video of The Flying Bulls’ Red Bull Alpha-Jets:

The Flying Bulls; Alpha-Jet

Mustang High Flight Alpha-Jet

Video, Mustang High Flight Alpha-Jet:

Mustang High Flight Aerobatics

2017: FRENCH ALPHA-JETS INVADE UNITED STATES!

Afghanistan 2011: MIRAGE 2000D CRASH RECOVERY/DEMOLITION

Technology

Afghanistan: Mirage 2000D crash recovery/demolition

Image July 30, 2020 Hutchins AAron

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus.

On 24MAY2011, an Armée de l’Air NATO two seat Mirage 2000D crashed in Afghanistan. The crew ejected and survived.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus.

U.S. Army and Marines, along with French and Italian troops, conducted an 81 miles (130 kilometers) combat logistics patrol to retrieve the French jet. Some personnel arrived by V-22 Osprey.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 25MAY2011.

There is confusion about where the plane crashed; Lieutenant Colonel Eric de. Lapresle, of the Armée de l’Air, said it happened 100 km West of the city of Farah (in Farah Province), but U.S. DoD information (attributed to USMC 12th Marine Corps District) stated it happened northwest of Forward Operating Base Delaram in Nimruz Province, which is South of Farah (some DoD reports incorrectly put Delaram in Helmand Province which is Southeast of Farah).

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 25MAY2011.

For more confusion, some of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) reports claims the Mirage is a 2000-5F while the French air force says it is a two seat 2000D. The 2000-5F is an upgrade of the single seat 2000C, however, the photos clearly show a two seater. To make things more confusing, some USMC sources refer to the Mirage as an ‘F-2000’.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

The French Mirage 2000D was operating with a Mirage F1 in assisting Italian NATO troops who had come under fire. It’s thought the Mirage 2000D developed technical problems.

26MAY2011. Photo via USMC.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 26MAY2011.

An M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle was used to tow the wreckage to a new location for disassembly.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 26MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

Personnel worked to remove the flares from the spine of the 2000D.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

Photo via USMC.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

The aircraft was considered a total loss, and to hasten the recovery effort it was decided to quickly remove the wings by using C4 plastic explosives. ‘Purple-K’ was poured into the wing root to try and prevent the spread of any internal fire that might be caused by the explosion. Note the detonating cords leading to the blocks of C4.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

A Heavy Expanded Military Tactical Truck (HEMTT) off-loaded portable fire fighting equipment before the big-bang.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

Photo via USMC.

A MTVR MK36 wrecker truck, and the M88A2, were then used to pull the wings off the Mirage.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

Photo via USMC.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

The M88A2 tracked recovery vehicle then hoisted the fuselage onto a HEMTT pulling a vehicle trailer.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 28MAY2011.

DRUNKEN COBRA RECOVERY 2020

Vehicle I-D: FRENCH CAESAR INVADES GERMANY!

FRENCH ALPHAJETS INVADE UNITED STATES!

Technology

Drunken Cobra Recovery 2020, what happened to the N95 masks?

Image July 30, 2020 Hutchins AAron

Notice that none of these Marines are wearing N95 masks, during the year of The Pandemic.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

AH-1W (Alpha Hotel-One Wiskey) Super-Cobra, during aircraft recovery training at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, 27JUN2020.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

U.S. Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 373, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

2011-2019:

Why were Marines forced to wear N95 masks during Drunken Cobra Recovery, months before The Pandemic were (sic) declared?

Technology, U.S.

USS Bonhomme Richard LHD-6: Into the Steel Inferno!

Video July 18, 2020 Hutchins AAron

This is just a fraction of the intense photos and videos captured by U.S. Navy personnel, 12-17 July 2020.

INFERNO

U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Second Class Austin Haist, 12JUL2020.

On the morning of 12JUL2020, and after two years of extensive retrofitting, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) became a steel inferno while moored pier side at Naval Base San Diego, California.

Into the steel inferno. USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Jason Waite, 14JUL2020.

Video by Petty Officer Third Class Christina Ross, 1st day of fire. At the end of the video, night time, it’s clear that flames are leaping from inside the island superstructure:

USN photo by Lieutenant John J. Mike, 12JUL2020.

RESPONSE

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 12JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Nall Morgan, 13JUL2020.

Video via Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 2nd day of fire:

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Nall Morgan, 13JUL2020.

AIR TANKS & MASKS, etc

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Julio Rivera, 16JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Natalie Byers, 15JUL2020.

Barrels of firefighting foam. USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Austin Haist, 12JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Jessica Paulauskas, 14JUL2020.

BOATS & HELICOPTERS

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 13JUL2020.

Video from day 2, boats and helicopters focus on the superstructure:

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Austin Haist, 12JUL2020.

In this photo, notice that the forward mast is still standing.

Video, 3rd day, fire and smoke are no longer visible on the outside, but the external damage is obvious:

On 14JUL2020, with the fire(s) contained the boats, and MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters, continued applying water to cool down the exterior of the amphibious assault ship.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Patrick W. Menah Junior, 13JUL2020.

In these photos you can see the forward mast has collapsed.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Mar’Queon A. D. Tramble, 13JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Benjamin K. Kittleson, 14JUL2020.

For more helicopter action: KNIGHTHAWKS FIGHT TO SAVE LHD 6!

EXHAUSTION

On 16JUL2020, the fires were considered extinguished. The U.S. Navy press release was careful to state “all known fires.”

USN photo by Seaman Lily Gebauer, 15JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 14JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Christina Ross, 14JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Hector Carrera, 14JUL2020.

USN photo by Seaman Apprentice Jeffrey Yale, 16JUL2020.

BATTLE DAMAGE

On 16JUL2020, a U.S. Navy press release stated “We did not know the origin of the fire. We do not know the extent of the damage. It is too early to make any predictions or promises of what the future of the ship will be.”

Burned-out hanger bay. USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 14JUL2020.

Yes, metal can burn. USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 27JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Brandie Nuzzi, 16JUL202.

Listing due to all the water pumped in.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Natalie Byers, 15JUL2020.

The ship’s motto would become ‘famous last words’.

Idaho, Kit Bashing, Technology

Idaho’s 1:1 scale fake news Russian radar tank

Image July 17, 2020 Hutchins AAron

Idaho National Guard photos by Senior Airman Mercedee Wilds and Master Sergeant Joshua Allmaras

A member of the 266th Range Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, works to off-load a 1:1 scale simulated 1S91 SURN tank at Fort Irwin National Training Center, California, June 2019.

The 266th played the bad guy (Opposition Force, OpFor) trying to shoot down Idaho’s A-10Cs.

This is supposed to simulate the 1S91 SURN radar for the 2K12 Kub (NATO code name SA-6 Gainful) missile system. It’s made mainly of steel and aluminum.

The 266th also used a real radar to simulate enemy radar signals.

1:1 SCALE WIND TUNNEL MODELS?

HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR 1:1 SCALE F-86

HOW TO BUILD A 1:1 SCALE U.S. ARMY ‘FAKE NEWS’ BMP-2

Technology

Knighthawks fight to save LHD 6!

Video July 17, 2020 Hutchins AAron

News reports said the fire was inside the ship, for an indication of how big the fire was this pic (by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Austin Haist) clearly shows flames jetting from the island superstructure.

On the morning of 12JUL2020 a fire broke out inside amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) while it was moored pier side at Naval Base San Diego. LHD 6 had been in San Diego, California, since 2018 for a major refit.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Kory Alsberry, 14JUL2020.

Flight crews with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 used their MH-60S Knighthawks to work around the clock as an airborne bucket brigade, trying to contain the fire.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Christina Ross, 13JUL2020.

USN photo by Lieutenant Joseph Kendrick, 13JUL2020.

Video by Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Kittleson, 13JUL2020:

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Patrick W. Menah Junior, 13JUL2020.

Video by Lieutenant Joseph Pfaff, 13JUL2020:

Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Leitner, 13JUL2020:

While boats and groundcrews focused on shooting water to the inside of the ship, the Knighthawks focused most of their drops on the burning island superstructure. Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasen MorenoGarcia:

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Patrick W. Menah Junior, 14JUL2020.

Night video, by Seaman Zachary Pearson, of Knighthawk water drop on deck surrounding the island superstructure, 15 July:

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Garrett LaBarge, 14JUL2020.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Julio Rivera, 15JUL2020.

On 16 July, firecrews were evacuated from LHD 6 due the ship listing. The list is blamed on all the water pumped into the ship.

Vehicle I-D: WASH YOUR HAWK!

Technology

Final Flight of the Fort Polk Kiowas

Image July 16, 2020 Hutchins AAron

“They were great birds to fly. You could land them anywhere, in any type of environment; they were great for what we were using them for here.”-Captain Tyler Smith, Bravo Company commander, 1st Bn, 5th Avn Reg

The U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment OH-58C Kiowas fly over Fort Polk, Louisiana, for the last time, 09JUL2020. The Kiowa helicopters are being replaced with UH-72 Lakotas.

Farewell water salute.

The U.S. Army’s oldest operational aircraft is a Kiowa, tail # O-16696, now to become a static display ‘gate guard’ at Fork Polk. Three of the Fort Polk Kiowas will be cannibalized for spare parts while the other four retiring Kiowas will be used by sheriff departments in Texas, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

The Kiowa family of helicopters have been used by the U.S. Army since 1969. Ultimately, 2-thousand-2-hundred different versions of the Kiowa would be built between 1966 and 1989. The U.S. Army’s last operational ‘C’ Kiowas are based at Fort Irwin (National Training Center), California, but will also be retired soon.

Vehicle I-D: COLORADO MILITIA LAKOTA RESCUE TRAINING

Influenza, Technology

Pandemic Overflight: The Sandman Enters

Video June 9, 2020 Hutchins AAron

California Air National Guard photo by Lieutenant Colonel David Allamandola, 13MAY2020.

California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing flies their F-15C Eagles over Fresno, in hopes of scaring-off the CoViD-19, 13MAY2020.

Video, launching a few F-15Cs to fight California CoViD-19:

Video, cockpit view F-15C 144th FW flyover, 13MAY2020:

Florida Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Spencer Rhodes, 13MAY2020.

Florida Air National Guard 125th FW’s F-15Cs did battle with CoViD-19 over the Orange County Convention Center’s Pandemic testing operations, 13MAY2020.