Curious on the backstory behind the photos? This is the place. You'll find not only write ups on local outings, but also reviews of major events I’ve attended.
Fort Worth Alliance Airport 7/4/23
A quick trip to the Fort Worth Alliance yielded two classic aircraft in a short span of time!
A quick trip to the Fort Worth Alliance yielded two classic aircraft in a short span of time!
First up was an Eastern Airlines Boeing 767-200 that has been in service with multiple carriers since its delivery to EgyptAir in in 1984. The airframe, registration N605KW, remains one of the few 767-200s still using the legendary Pratt and Whitney JT9D engines. These engines have powered some of the most iconic aircraft such as the classic 747-100/200 series. With its nearly 39 years of service, this old veteran is still going strong. It departed for March Air Force Base in California as "Eastern 9038 heavy" presumably to perform a military charter.
Shortly after Eastern departed, an FBO crew van arrived to 94-7310, a C-130H Hercules belonging to the 302nd Airlift Wing out of Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This C-130H boasts upgraded NP2000 propellers, but despite the modern addition, the airplane still has that unmistakable look and exhaust of an older Herk. If you look closely, you can also see the outline of the number five on the side as this aircraft was recently used for firefighting, outfitted with a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, also known as MAFFS.
Seeing these older types in action is always enjoyable for me. It's a testament to the longevity and reliability of the these legendary designs. While newer models have since been introduced, these old planes are still running strong and getting the job done.
Dallas Love Field (June 18/20 2023)
A very interesting compliment of visitors at Dallas Love Field!
I often see Dallas Love Field as the hidden gem of the Dallas/Fort Worth area when it comes to interesting visitors and the week of June 18th was no exception.
The obvious highlight this week was the Vice President of the United States' campaign visit to Dallas. With the visit came two US Air Force C-40Bs of the 89th Airlift Wing out of Joint Base Andrews. One of these airframes, inconspicuously painted white, used the callsign "SAM2A." Upon further investigation, this particular airframe used to be based out of Rammstein Air Force Base with the 86th Airlift Wing. In 2019, the USAF decided to consolidate all of their C-40Bs to Joint Base Andrews under the 89th Airlift Wing. These Air Force Special Air Mission C-40Bs boast visible modifications, making them one of the most unique and capable 737s in the skies today!
Aside from the military traffic, there were also two sports charters making their way out of Love Field. The Toronto Blue Jays flew a rather tired looking Air Canada A320 to Miami to take on the Marlins, while the Texas Rangers headed to Chicago onboard "Kraft 1" to play against the White Sox. For those confused about the Texas Rangers baseball team flying on a New England Patriots jet, this particular air frame is operated by Eastern Airlines and during the NFL off-season is often used for various other charter jobs such as this.. Clear as mud?
The rest of the album contains various other aircraft with some more commonly seen at Love Field than others.
Enjoy!
