Spotting at Atlanta DeKalb–Peachtree Airport
While on a trip to the Atlanta area, I made some time to run by the Atlanta Dekalb-Peachtree Airport and do some spotting. A portion of one runway was undergoing reconstruction. The main runway was active with numerous GA aircraft arriving and departing. While I was there, an unpainted Lockheed C-130 Hercules made a surprise flyover.
28Jun23
The end of runway 16/34 undergoing reconstruction.
Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior taking off.
Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior taking off.
Gulfstream G600 smoking the tires at landing.
Gulfstream G600 with thrust reversers deployed.
Gulfstream G600 with thrust reversers deployed.
Cirrus SR20-G6 Platinum rolling down a taxiway on an engine test run. Note the missing engine cowling.
Piper PA-28-181 taxing down to the end of the runway.
Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) taking off.
Pilatus PC-12/47 (NG) taking off.
Pilatus PC-12/47 (NG) taking off.
Pilatus PC-12/47 (NG) taking off.
Pilatus PC-12/47 (NG) taking off.
Piper PA-28-151 taking off.
Beechcraft E55 Baron and a Cessna on the taxiways.
I was surprised to see this unmarked and unpainted Lockheed C-130 Hercules passing low overhead PDK airport.
There is a Lockheed-Martin facility in nearby Marietta, GA where they build and repair Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
Unmarked and unpainted Lockheed C-130 Hercules out for a test flight.
Lockheed Martin’s C-130 production line in Marietta, home to the iconic C-130J Super Hercules, is the longest running military aircraft production line in the world.
The C-130 Hercules inaugural flight was in 1954. It has evolved over the last 70+ years and is still considered an invaluable workhorse for the U.S. military.
With continuous improvements to the C-130 Hercules ongoing, it could conceivably still be a front line transport in another 70 years.
Embraer 505 Phenom 300 taking off.
Embraer 505 Phenom 300 taking off.
Piper PA-44-180 Seminole taking off with the gear coming up.
Piper PA-44-180 Seminole with gear up and gaining altitude.
57th Fighter Group Restaurant
Located adjacent to the DeKalb–Peachtree Airport, the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant is a themed eatery which commemorates the historic 57th fighter squadron of World War II. The walls of the restaurant are covered with decor, art and photographs of the era, particularly planes and pilots of the U.S. Air Force during the 1940s. The lounge has a large outdoor patio right next to the runway of the airport where you are able to watch aircraft taking off and landing.
In front of the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant is a fiberglass replica of a North American P-51 Mustang that flew during WWII. I did not have time to stay and eat, but I did make a walk around the Mustang for some photos.
Fiberglass replica North American P-51D Mustang sitting on a pole outside the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant.
The fiberglass replica North American P-51D Mustang makes for a very impressive looking restaurant entrance.
This fiberglass replica North American P-51D Mustang is painted in the colors of 'The West by Gawd Virginian II' flown by Robert "Punchy" Powell, 328th FS, 352nd FG.
Pilot Bob "Punchy" Powell hails form Wilcoe, West Virginia where he was born on the 21st day of November, 1921. Hence the interesting name on the side of his Mustang.
Between Bob "Punchy" Powell's first mission on 11 November 1943 and August 4, 1944, "Punchy" flew 89 missions with the 352nd FG.
Bob "Punchy" Powell arrived in England in April of 1943 and was first checked out on the P-47 Thunderbolt.
Bob "Punchy" Powell also had a chance to fly British Spitfire Mk V's while he was in England.
In November 1943 Bob "Punchy" Powell was assigned to the 328th Squadron of the 352nd Fighter Group based in Bodney, Norfolk, England. The group were nicknamed the Blue-nosed Bastards of Bodney due to the distinctive blue of the nose and upper cowl of the P-51 Mustangs of the group
Bob "Punchy" Powell's unofficial tally was six destroyed, two probably damaged, and seven damaged aircraft (later changed to 4-6-7 in official records), including the destruction of the first German Heinkel He 177 Greif.
A Cirrus Vision Jet coming in to land at PDK as seen from outside the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant.