Fat Albert going to England for upgrades

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U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ Fat Albert Heading to England for Life-Extending Maintenance; Expected to Miss 2026 Air Show Season

The world’s most recognized C-130J Super Hercules, belonging to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and affectionately known as “Fat Albert,” is expected to miss the 2026 air show season as it heads to England for extensive maintenance that will expand the aircraft’s service life by decades.

Now that the Blue Angels’ 2025 air show season is officially over, Fat Albert will head across the Atlantic Ocean to Cambridge, England, home of Marshall Aerospace, for replacement of the center wing box as well as routine maintenance and a full paint strip and repaint. The center wing box is a critical component with a finite lifespan, and is a major primary structure that connects the aircraft’s outer wings to its fuselage. The center wing box bears significant operational load and sustains exceptional stress during flight. Once it reaches its end of life, it must be replaced in order for the aircraft to remain airworthy. Lockheed Martin’s new enhanced service life center wing box is a highly cost-effective way to extend Fat Albert’s lifespan by 20+ years.

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Full article: https://www.newsairshow.com/headlines/2 ... how-season