2001-09-13 20:38:56+00 by ebradway 5 comments
From AVweb:
"AVweb has also learned that this flight was being trailed by a military Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport during the final stages of its approach to the Pentagon. As the 757 struck the Pentagon and exploded, trained observers told AVweb that the C-130 executed what appeared to be "a high-G 180-degree turn" and departed the area."
What the hell?
[ related topics: Aviation WTC/Pentagon attacks ]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:42+00 by: dhartung
Fodder this shall surely be for the black helicopter crowd.
Though it's going to be kind of nice, after all these years, to have them lay off Manchurian Bill.
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:42+00 by: petronius
A slow, plodding Hercules executing a "high-G 180 degree turn"? Gimme a break. I would sooner expect the Goodyear Blimp to perform an Immleman turn.
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:42+00 by: Dan Lyke
Awww, geez. Now you've got me imagining C-5s doing Cuban Eights. Damn.
Actually I'll bet this was just the first plane they could scramble as a chase plane. And, having seen numerous mass 'chute drops and low-altitude flyovers from C-130s (lots of that stuff happens in the Adirondacks over Lake George and Lake Sacandaga, both of which I spent a lot of time near as a kid) I can imagine a C-130 in a high G steep turn. Pretty much a standard "the jumpers are out, let's get clear of the flak" sort of move.
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:44+00 by: ebradway
Petronius: You must not live near an Air Force or Air National Guard base. Yes, the C-130 is slow and plodding, but unlike commercial jets, they tend to be flown much more 'aggressively' and are designed to do just that.
And the chace plane theory makes alot of sense. Too bad the C-130 isn't usually armed. I'm surprised Langley AFB didn't get their F15s there sooner. I'm sure they were in the air as soon as the first plane impacted the WTC and patrolling DC air space when the rouge 757 entered DC air space.
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:44+00 by: Pete
"The only large fixed wing aircraft to appear was a gray C-130, which appeared to be a Navy electronic warfare aircraft, he seemed to survey the area and depart in on a westerly heading."
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