On the road again… still…


Made a stop by the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola today and took a few pics…


These pics illustrate how closely the Blue Angels REALLY fly. In the original Atrium they have the last set of Blue Angel A-4s suspended in a correct formation…

And before you ask, these were a mix of A-4 E and A-4F acft reworked to remove the humpback and bolt the leading edge slats in the full up position and add a drag chute and oiling system for the smoke…

From the “Boss” or #1- You can see the approximately 4 foot overlap of the wings…
From #3 you can see the slight step down of about 3 feet and aft about 20 feet from #1. If I remember correctly, the positional “cue” was the polished edge of the intake in a specific position with respect to the canopy bow…
From under #3 you can see that #4 is again stepped down about 3 feet and aft about another 20 feet from # 2 and 3…
From #4 Again the cue was the polished ring on the back of #1s fuselage and THAT was really all he was paying attention to… And #4 is REALLY bracketed amongst the other airplanes…
At 400 knots… and the ONLY person paying any attention to where they were going was the Boss… All the others were flying form on him!!!

If you ever get the chance, and are in the area of Pensacola, Florida; stop by the Museum, they have a great collection of not only airplanes, but models of Carriers, helicopters and other things; including guns, uniforms, patches, the Cubi O’club Bar, and some historic and beautiful Navy art!!! And it’s REALLY history you can reach out and touch…

Comments

On the road again… still… — 17 Comments

  1. Beautiful pictures. I admire the flying skills of the Blue Angels tremendously. The Navy pilots landing on air carriers.

    Thank you for sharing.

  2. Excellent photos and info! Hopefully I’ll make it there eventually. I’ve seen them fly in real life, both A-4’s and F-18’s, and I actually think I liked the performances better when they still had the A-4’s.

  3. I’ve also seen them in the A-4 and F-18. True precision flying, like a ballet at 400 kts!

  4. For years lived just South of Lake Washington around 400 feet higher than the lake. Each Seafair could sit on the deck and watch the Blue Angles coming by. Great show! Once saw the Thunderbirds at Everett. They are impressive. The Canadian Snowbirds in their trainer aircraft may have been slower but could still make you go “oh and ah”.

  5. Very Nice! I need to get down there to check it out! Thanks! If you are interested I will let you know when DD-724, USS Laffey shows back up at Patriots Point in SC. She got a big hull repair (but I think you are not a Tin Can kind of person).

  6. Pensacola is one of the great aviation museums. I’ve been twice, and plan on going again (and again, and again . . . ) I particularly enjoy the older exhibits, like the NC-4 flying boat that was the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic, back in 1919 (even before Alcock & Brown’s famous flight later that year).

  7. Old NFO;
    Those are excellent photos!
    I used to bring my girls to the Airbase here on the Cape every year. The Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds and all other forms of aircraft were here on display and in the air giving demo’s! The sounds of those planes reaching those speeds well after they went by were spectacular to say the least! Unfortunately the base is no longer used for the US 101st Airwing. I believe the National Guard has some presence here as does the Coast Guard and of course the new Jail. Stay safe in your travels! And thanks for sharing the memories!
    Gia

  8. Beautiful. Although not from the US I have always been thrilled by the flying skills of the military. My first exposure was the Golden Hawks and I have been a flying fan ever since. Thanks!

  9. S Phillips- and in 48 hours those and the F-18s can be converted back to combat acft…

    Me- The A-4s were “cleaner” and it was easier to see what they were doing, the F-18s are more impressive for their power!

    drjim- Yep 🙂

    WSF- I’ve seen all the ones you mention, and ALL are good! I just happen to think the Blues are better 😛

    Keads- I’ve been to Patriot’s point quite a few times, and I’ve talked to some of the Laffey sailors. They claim the ship is haunted today… One of my Masonic Lodge brothers is “Sally” Crouch, one of the last Dolittle Raiders, and I’ve ALWAYS enjoyed/studied military history.

    Peter- and NC4 is a BIG airplane…

    Gia- Thanks!

    Anon- Yep, the are ALL good!!! Lots of pilots got the “itch” watching flight demo teams…

    CS- Thanks

  10. I thought the best part of the Navel Aviation museum experience was the retired personnel giving the tours. My guide was an F4 pilot who flew off Yankee Station. Same holds for USAF museum in Ohio and the Air and Space Museum annex at Dulles. Always stay near the old guys wearing unit hats. You’ll learn things NEVER put in books.

  11. Awesome pics. The Blue Angels are awesome. I used to live in VA Beach and had f-18’s fly over my house every day. Now that I am away I miss the noise.

  12. Thanks for the great pictures. I attended UWF and tried to get down to NAS every chance I could. I have to agree with the comments about the A4s – nice & clean and lots of fun to watch. And I grew up in a house with all manner of A4 ‘stuff’ – my Dad was an A4 driver. :))

  13. Spent two weeks on the redneck riviera this past January for research on the Curtiss NC4 at the Museum. Took dozens of pictures with the help of a fabulous staff who gave more then I would have ever dared ask for.Amazing, no ropes around the aircraft, excellent lighting,and did I mention the staff? What an experience.