The United States Navy (USN) Precision Flight Demonstration Squadron. Otherwise known as The Blue Angels, began flying performances in the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk in 1975. Compared to the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II aircraft they had flown for the previous four years, the diminutive Skyhawk was a more maneuverable and economical aircraft but lacked the raw power of the Phantom II. There are those who say the Phantoms were hands-down the best airshow performers the Blue Angels ever flew. Others swear by the A-4F Skyhawk. In the film “Portrait: The Blue Angels” uploaded to YouTube by PeriscopeFilm, you’ll see just how impressive the Blues were while flying Heinemann’s Hot Rod.
Along with the equipment change the Blues underwent a reorganization which established a commanding officer / flight leader billet and added supplemental support officers. The squadron’s core mission was “redefined” to emphasize support of recruiting, but nobody who ever saw a Blue Angels performance doubted the effectiveness of the Blues in that regard. Though they went from flying the Mach 2.2 Phantom II to the subsonic Scooter, the Blues still entertained and yes, inspired. They have been doing both since their first performance in 1946.
I first saw the Blues at NAS Goodyear, just west of Phoenix. The jet they used then was the Grumman F-11F Tiger. I have since seen them in the A-4 and the F/A-18, Legacy. Every time has been an astounding show. My personal favorite has to be the Tiger, just because it is such a sexy airplane. The other amazing place to see the Blue Angels is at Pensacola in the rotunda in actual flight formation at the Navy Museum there.
Took my Dad (WWII Vet) to see them in 75 at NAS Oceana flying the A4, a solo overflew us on north station, waved back at him going back to flight line. He had a tear in his eye, was blown away at their skill.