Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA, KIWA, IWA) "Willie"

[Joe Copalman]

Collings' visit last year.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Beale bird looking for a space on the ramp.

[Joe Copalman]

Finally caught one of the 55th ECG birds on final at Willie.  Of course, it's just the TC, but still. 

[Jeff D. Welker]

How many airman does it take to change a Herc light bulb?



Did the instructions say 40 watts or 60 watts?

[Joe Copalman]

MC-12W Liberty on a gas-n-go today.  Another one of my white whales.

[jslugman]

Don't you love it when a guy in a spook plane gives you anything but the finger? Very nice Jeff.

[Joe Copalman]

Another day, another C-12, this one from Corpus Christi:

[Jay Beckman]

In light of recent events in Pakistan, it seemed only proper that this little "spookmobile" stopped for gas at Willie on 5 May...

The PZL M28 Skytruck .. Owner of record: US Government.  Address of record: Hurlburt Field, Florida

Taxiing In


Taxiing Out (Note the Jump Master Windows on either side)






Unfortunately, on takeoff, they demonstrated their short field capability and got up really quick... 

[Joe Copalman]

Really digging that head-on shot, Jay. 

[Jay Beckman]

Thanks Joe...

I tried to do a "moving walk around" as it came and went.

It fooled me on arrival because it turned off the active but then it headed off toward the area where the C-17s usually go so I gave up on it and then it came trundling along on the ramp almost right along the fence.

I keep looking at it and can't help but think of "Stripes"  It's one heavily-armored recreational vehicle!

[Jeff D. Welker]

Great shot of the C-12 Joe. I'm a big King Air fan; especially the various military iterations. You nailed the exposure on this very clean bird - well done.

Really digging that head-on shot, Jay. 

I'm with Joe on this one Jay. The head-on makes a rather utilitarian-looking-UPS-truck style platform look almost sexy - great job.

[jslugman]

I keep looking at it and can't help but think of "Stripes"  It's one heavily-armored recreational vehicle!

LOL 

[Jeff D. Welker]

This Grumman HU-16 Albatross was an unexpected visitor this afternoon. Landed on 30C, promptly turned around, and departed on 12R.

[Jeff D. Welker]

THREE OF A KIND - Black Knights from the 49th Fighter Training Squadron at Columbus Air Force Base arriving at Willie/KIWA. They look like "C" models.

[Joe Copalman]

Yup - all three Cs, all post-PMP mod.  Easiest tell on the C is the little hump on the nose.