The Aviation Magazine Volume 6, Issue 4, May 2015 Special Edition | Page 64
Background © 2015 Norman A. Graf, pilots courtesy of the Blue Angels
#1 Captain Tom Frosch
Over the years we have covered the Blue Angels performing at many air
shows. In this Naval Aviation edition we decided to look at the history
and of the personnel who make up the 2015 team.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Blue Angels have been performing since 1946 and that makes them
one of the oldest, if not the oldest multi aircraft performing team in the
world.
The Blue Angels originally were based at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Jack‐
sonville, Florida. Flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat, they were led by Lt. Cmdr.
Roy “Butch” Voris. In August, 1946, the Blue Angels transitioned to the
Grumman F8F Bearcat. One year later, the 1947 team, led by Lt. Cmdr.
Robert Clarke, introduced the now famous “Diamond Formation.” The Blue
Angels flew the following aircraft over the years:
Grumman F6F‐5 Hellcat ‐ June‐August 1946
Grumman F8F‐1 Bearcat ‐ August 1946‐1949
Grumman F9F‐2 Panther ‐ 1949‐June 1950 (first jet)
Grumman F9F‐5 Panther ‐ 1951‐Winter 1954/55
Grumman F9F‐8 Cougar ‐ Winter 1954/55‐mid‐season 1957 (swept‐wing)
Grumman F11F‐1 Tiger ‐ mid‐season 1957‐1969 (first supersonic jet)
McDonnell F‐4J Phantom II ‐ 1969‐December 1974
Douglas A‐4F Skyhawk ‐ December 1974‐November 1986
McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A‐18A/B Hornet ‐ Since November 1986
and currently the F/A‐18C/D models.
In addition to the demonstration aircraft their support aircraft included:
Douglas R4D Sky Train ‐ 1949‐1955
Curtiss R5C Commando ‐ 1953
Douglas R5D Skymaster ‐ 1956‐1968
Lockheed C‐121 Super Constellation ‐ 1969‐1973
Lockheed C‐130T Hercules ‐ 1970‐Present aka “Fat Albert Airlines”
Other aircraft:
SNJ Texan
Chance Vought F7U Cutlass for 1952 as solo aircraft
Lockheed T‐33 Shooting Star
The Blue Angels in 1954 relocated to their present home base at NAS Pensa‐
cola, Florida. For additional information visit the official web site; http://
www.blueangels.navy.mil
#4 Lcdr Nate Barton
#5 Lcdr Mark Tedrow
Click on covers to download
#6 Lt Ryan Chamberlain
#2 Lt. Matt Suyderhoud
#7 Captain Jeff Kuss
#3 Lt. Andy Talbott