Big & Close
updated: Jan 16, 2013, 9:08 AM

By John Wiley

I was awaiting takeoff clearance at the edge of the runway, when this USMC KC-130J aerial refueling tanker passed so close you can see the pilot in this pic. I was happy to have my camera, and nothing better to do while we waited. Even aircraft this big practice what every pilot does during training: the "touch and go" landing. After the squeal and smoke of those tires grabbing concrete, with a roar of engines it leapt back into the air and went on to rumble the rafters at Costco.

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Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 364020	2013-01-16 09:33 AM
Curious John, how did you know it's the J-variant, something about the plane that "stands out"? Or did you research according to the tail number?
COMMENT 364035	2013-01-16 10:03 AM
Do you remember appx what time it landed?? I think it caught my eye in the early evening? Pretty cool!
MACPUZL	2013-01-16 10:10 AM
The J-variant has the six-bladed props.
COMMENT 364043	2013-01-16 10:39 AM
4035... judging from the shadows it may have been somewhere around 4pm.
SCEPTIC	2013-01-16 10:49 AM
Reminds me of being in a Citabria waiting for takeoff behind one of Aero Spacelines' super guppies in the 70's - great pix.
COMMENT 364051	2013-01-16 10:58 AM
cool dude.
COMMENT 364053	2013-01-16 11:00 AM
I saw it take off and land at least 3 times between 7:00 and 8:00 pm last night.
AUNTIE S.	2013-01-16 11:53 AM
Wow! Great shots.
COMMENT 364205	2013-01-16 04:55 PM
I saw a touch and go @ 4PM.
COMMENT 364298	2013-01-16 07:58 PM
One I never noticed before is how short the wheel struts are so they have to land pretty close to level. If the nose comes up even a little bit the first to hit the tarmac is the cargo ramp, not the main wheels.
KEVINSB	2013-01-16 11:34 PM
Nice shots.
COMMENT 364382	2013-01-17 07:19 AM
12,000 horsepower...what a great STOL aircraft
MADMAX	2013-01-17 07:33 AM
That is a modern C-130 and is pretty quiet with the 5 or 6 blade props.
EDSUP	2013-01-17 05:23 PM
I hope you waved!

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