Lockheed C-130 Hercules (16-6472)

And that is NOT a typo in my description above. Immediately after I clicked this pic, someone inside the Herc pulled the forward stairway closed and, as the copilot waved bye-bye to me thru the windshield, the Hercules began moving straight backwards away from me. I figured that it would move back a short distance and then bang a left but I was wrong. As I watched, to my astonishment, the Herc pilot made a slight swerve and continued backing it over to, and backwards along, the dark access ramp visible under the port wing. And all the while the copilot kept waving bye-bye. I know for certain that my lower jaw was hanging open in absolute amazement. The Herc backed all the way on to taxiway Lima and stopped, and THEN it hung a left and taxied away toward the Lima/Charlie intersection. I swear, that Marine pilot backed that puppy up to Lima just as smoothly and easily as a semi rig driver backs the trailer box up to a loading dock. And the pilot did not even have a rear-view mirror. If I had known he was going to do that, I would have taken a vid. It was Amazing! My hat is off to that Marine cockpit crew.

Very cool!

The loadmaster in back probably guided him, if the ramp was open. That's how it was done on 130's in my time. But with all the cameras and sensors now, like in alot of the newer cars, he could have very well had that equipment aboard to guide him.

Jobeard and Greg ... Howdy, and Thank You both. (Wave) Larry .... After reading your comment, I went back to the photo series and looked. Indeed, my photo angle as it backed up reveals just enough of the back that I can see the ramp is not fully up. You are right. He had the tailgate open. (BIG grin) But it was still a danged cool bit of taxi action. Worthy of an air show demo. (Waving the cap to you, Larry. And Thumbs Up too)

You get an A+ for the photo, F for being fooled on the video! LOL...That would have been an amazing close up video. Sign up for Youtube Gman.....!(smiley face)