C130 @ IFP 1/11

[NIKV69]

Well on my way home from Kingman last night I had to wash a little mud off my car at the self serve car wash. On the way back I had to drive past IFP in AZ to cross the bridge into NV and I hear something coming in that is not normal. I see 4 Blackhawks and knew right away what else was there. I high tail it to the airport and see the C130 that always seems to make an appearence when I am not around. Everyone was gone that I know there but I figured to get my butt out of bed first thing and get over there which I did. The one girl in the office had no idea and even thought it was leaving tomorrow (Which woud have been bad since Klos is in town) but then I find out it's talking off immediately and see the props start to turn! I got in position and she lifted off into a beautiful desert morning. That thing sounds awesome. Glad it was muddy at Kingman because if I drove straight to my place in NV I would have never known it was here and most likely not got up to spot. I need some regi help here so I hope Moose knows what is up with this old bird. My military buddy from anet who used to live here is in ANC and I think I remember him saying it was maybe Davis Air guard?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-12/905683/c130ifpnik2.jpg

[SengaB]

Nice shot Nick :)

Senga

[INNflight]

Beautiful shot Nick, lovely vortices!!!

[PhilDernerJr]

Good catch. That's a somewhat regular visitor there you say?

[flyboy 28]

Lovin' the prop vorticies. :borat: Great shot, Nick.

[NIKV69]

Nice shot Nick
Beautiful shot Nick, lovely vortices!!!
Good catch
Lovin' the prop vorticies. Great shot, Nick.





Thanks! Everything came together and thanks to the early morning departure the conditions were ideal.


That's a somewhat regular visitor there you say?



I wish. It's come in a few times but it's elusive as hell. Glad it's under my belt, a must get out here. Now just need Sky King to get here early morning. That one is a bitch.

[tipek]

Is your bird from Prescott Aviation? I've got one at IAD in 2007 and it looks like yours, but you have military numbers.
http://www.flyiad.net/iad6mths/images/4720.jpg

[cancidas]

rafal and nick, 41901 looks a lot like 3755P, and i wouldn't be surprised if it were the same bird. i tried looking up the serial number but the last 5 aren't enough, there are just too many vairables due to the age of that lockheed. i'll keep digging, as i think rafal just made a breakthrough!

[lijk604]

Nick, I've exhausted all of my "secret links" and cannot find anything on this bird.
I'll keep looking, and if I find anything, I'll let you know.

[NIKV69]

Nick, I've exhausted all of my "secret links" and cannot find anything on this bird.


Your not alone, I was at the airport and nobody knows who it was. I got one or two avenues to try yet but this is crazy.

[PhilDernerJr]

I'm looking at a bunch of C-130 pics, and I think those two planes have got to be the same.

If you look at the three side-windows on the plane, the middle one that's on a door is slightly higher than the other two. I can't find ANY other photos of a C-130 that has a raised middle window. Other markings that match are also indicators.

The only real different is registration, titles and the nose.

[MarkLawrence]

According the the FAA Registry, N3755P is still valid, so I expect that's still in service somewhere.

Serial Number 5032 Type Registration Corporation
Manufacturer Name LOCKHEED Certificate Issue Date 09/29/2006
Model 382G Status Valid
Type Aircraft Fixed Wing Multi-Engine Type Engine Turbo-Prop
Pending Number Change None Dealer No
Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code 51044563
MFR Year None Fractional Owner NO


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Registered Owner

Name ATLANTA AIR SERVICES LEASING LLC
Street 901 SW HIGGINS STE 4
City MISSOULA State MONTANA Zip Code 59807
County MISSOULA
Country UNITED STATES

[PhilDernerJr]

Keep in mind that considering the already-present "secret" Janet flights that operate in an out of LAS, that this could easily be a cargo charter for who-knows-what. Would a temporary fake reg be very far fetched?

[moose135]

According the the FAA Registry, N3755P is still valid, so I expect that's still in service somewhere.

I saw that in the FAA registry too. Looking at a C-130 registry Excel file I have, this airframe (serial 5032) along with several others, are listed with owners noted as "possible CIA" connections. There's not much on-line about "Atlanta Air Services" but a couple of places mention a possible CIA link too. There's nothing in the registry file with a number close to matching what's on Nick's photo, and it's obviously not an N-number. Given the lack of national insignia, I doubt it's an active military bird. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same bird, and if its ownership is somewhat murky.

[cancidas]

i've also exhausted all possible leads. i've been told that she's definately not US military, though i'm not sure i would i believe him that she's CIA. heard way too many conspiracy stories...

[lijk604]

Guess what showed up at -ISP- today. Nick's secret C130 - 41901. Believe it or not I did get a shot of it, but it's backlit due to the location of my office, and runway 24. I'll edit it tonight and upload.

[PhilDernerJr]

Did you learn anything more about the plane? Callsign or anything?

[lijk604]

Word has it that it's government related, and it brought a helicopter in. I did not hear the callsign, I saw that it had taxied out (thanks to the hangar doors being open) and ran down to the car to get the camera. I literally just made it. If LiveATC archives their transmissions, and the ISP feed was up at the time, the departure was between 1630 and 1640 local, dont remember exactly when it lifted. Will have to keep the fingers crossed.

[lijk604]

Callsign was "Curt 33"...or "Kurt 33" Maybe that can help someone ID this thing!

On the roll (with a ton of heat haze)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/lijk604/41901_ISP_050808a.jpg

Off they go
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/lijk604/41901_ISP_050808b.jpg

[Tom_Turner]

Here's a picture of it at "Base Camp" --

http://www.lazygranch.com/41901.htm

The Lockheed watchers are stumped for awhile now too....

http://herkybirds.com/index.php?option= ... mitstart=0 (http://herkybirds.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=39&func=view&id=1401&catid=2&limit=6&limitstart=0)

Nick, did I understand correctly, that the aircraft was escorted by Blackhawks? In any event, it has to be CIA type operation of this aircraft What a great catch for your collection.

Tom

[NIKV69]

John, great catch! This Ghost is so interesting. Especially trying to find out who operates her. Though we may have a good idea.


Here's a picture of it at "Base Camp" --



Kewl!


The Lockheed watchers are stumped for awhile now too....



I liked how they used my pic too. May have to jump in on that thread. :mrgreen:


Nick, did I understand correctly, that the aircraft was escorted by Blackhawks? In any event, it has to be CIA type operation of this aircraft What a great catch for your collection.


Yep four of them to be exact. When I was driving north on 95 in AZ I heard them first and then saw them landing. If I remember correctly one stuck around after she departed.

[Derf]

A "friend" of mine landed his fighter jet at Marana and saw a civilian painted C130 years ago and asked why it was in. The officer replied "what aircraft?" My frend pointed and the officer replied "sir, I am sorry.... but I do not see an aircraft over there, you must be mistaken".

I wonder how many civillian painted C-130's go to Marana....hmmmmm



OUTSTANDING NICK!!!! That has got to be the catch of the year. SPOOKEY isn't it! :wink:

[T-Bird76]

John while it was at ISP where did it park?

[Derf]

a good read

http://www.apfn.net/dcia/evergree.html

[lijk604]

John while it was at ISP where did it park?

Either Excelair or SCPD ramp. Hard to tell from my office which one it was they are so close together.

[PhilDernerJr]

a good read

http://www.apfn.net/dcia/evergree.html

I have a nice slide of an Evergreen C-130 that I bought at a slide auction in LA. I wish I could share it here somehow.

[adam613]

I have a nice slide of an Evergreen C-130 that I bought at a slide auction in LA. I wish I could share it here somehow.

A lot of Kinkos stores used to have slide scanners...not sure if they still do...

[Chris102]

I wonder if it's a coinsidence that the "Open Skies" spy plane is in the same colors.....

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/Boeing-OC-135B-(717-158)/1246234/L/

[NIKV69]

Boy got to tell you I assumed the pic that the site Tom alerted us too used the pic of mine was taken from here but I find out they took my anet shot and removed the copyright bar. :(

I replied to the thread and made them aware of this. Why do people feel the need to do these things? I have no problem with them using the picture but name the source for pete's sake. I also Pmed the author of the thread who I think is an ex USAF and WN pilot.

[T-Bird76]

Boy got to tell you I assumed the pic that the site Tom alerted us too used the pic of mine was taken from here but I find out they took my anet shot and removed the copyright bar. :(

I replied to the thread and made them aware of this. Why do people feel the need to do these things? I have no problem with them using the picture but name the source for pete's sake. I also Pmed the author of the thread who I think is an ex USAF and WN pilot.

Becasue its easier just to steal the pic then to ask. However the time it takes to remove the copyright bar could be sent dropping the photog an email. I've given up on policing ppl who've taken my pics, unless its for profit then I'll send them an email. Otherwise I can't be bothered anymore.

[wunaladreamin]

Watermarks folks, watermarks.

[T-Bird76]

Watermarks folks, watermarks.

I'm not a fan of watermarks but in certain cases they do work. However on A.net if you have a First class membership you can view the shots Watermark free so if someone REALLY wanted to use your photo they can pay the 15 bucks or w/e it is for membership and take your shot. I do put watermarks on my A.net shots since it’s pretty easy, I don't on my JP.net shots because it’s annoyingly difficult.

[NIKV69]

Watermarks folks, watermarks.


I don't use them they just destroy the shot and can be loopholed around by paying 5 dollars. Just got a reply from the guy and he is using the ol "I got them from someone else" bull****. Amazing.