Louisviille Bats honor National Guard members on Memorial Day

Senior Master Sgt. Gary Dunlap, NCOIC of the propulsion flight in the Kentucky Air National Guard???s 123rd Maintenance Squadron, shows off the unit???s Mini C-130 to baseball fans during the Louisville Bats-Syracuse Chiefs game May 28, 2012, at Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky. The Mini C-130 is a scale replica of its airborne big sister, the C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft flown by the men and women of the Louisville-based 123rd Airlift Wing.Although incapable of flight, the Mini C-130???s realistic sheet-metal and steel-frame construction features working propellers, a functional cargo door, UHF radio, high-powered stereo system and seating for up to a dozen passengers. The replica was built from scratch by the Airmen of the 123rd Maintenance Squadron, using the chassis of a three-wheeled Cushman utility cart as its foundation. It is powered by a 27-horsepower gasoline motor and can reach speeds of up to 20 mph. The replica is a big hit with children, who???ve eagerly lined up to take ???test flights??? during its many appearances at civic functions across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The Mini C-130 made its public debut during the 2004 Kentucky Derby Festival parade, where it took top honors in the Specialty Unit category. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Dale Greer)