Actually, the Blues don't always get cast-offs. In fact, they were among the first to get the F-5Fs, and other models before that. The reason they've stuck to the A model Hornets for so long is what somebody mentioned earlier, that they're easy to strip down to just a&p. The avionics are really the only significant improvement of the charlies, and what does that mean to a VFR airshow performer? Only more weight.
I personally doubt they'll get rhinos simply because the only maneuver that I can think of that might benefit from the acquisition would be the high-alpha pass of the solos that transitions into a high-performance climbout of #6 (high show only). Though that would be pretty pleasing to see, with the increased performance of the Super an' all. I'd assume they'll hold out for the F-35 still, mainly because they're looking for quick response time and less overall weight than anything else. That's why they switched to A-4's from F-4J's in the first place. Just my theory/opinion though.
zippy said:
...on the desk behind "Boss" there is a plane on a stick. That plane is a super hornet (Had big square intakes), painted in the Blue Angel scheme.
Yeah, well, I saw a '96 interview with the Boss at the time, and he had an F-14 stick in the Blues scheme on the desk behind
him. I think the Bosses get them made for "conceptual entertainment."
Blutonski816 said:
...they got that reputation of never missing a show because an aircraft was down...
I heard that they recently used their 2-seat #7 aircraft and re-numbered it to fill in for the #4 slot (which was down).
And that was less than 12 hrs after #7 broke giving a VIP ride (lost its aux pwr unit). Let's hear it for those enlisted crewmembers, I'd like to give 'em one. They slaved for upwards of 36 hrs straight keeping at least 6 jets airborne. Probably not the first or last time they've had to do that, either.
Those numbers on the side are vinyl, I've seen them switch 'em out in less than 15 min.
They ended up making #4 a hangar queen in Hawaii while the rest continued on the airshow circuit. They dumped a conglomeration of bad parts and one bad engine on it from all the other jets just in the 3 days of actual performance. The Blues seem to go through jets like football players go through mouthguards. A few crewmembers stayed behind for almost 2 weeks until all the replacement parts came in and they got it in working order again. Very impressive teamwork and dedication, those boys.
Fly Navy said:
Earlier this year they lost an aircraft. May have something to do with that.
Actually, they had a left engine come apart from a bird strike over water, and it started inflicting damage on the right side before the pilot could get it back to land, from what I've been told.
And as for the 2-seater, didn't they also use it a couple years ago to give ADM Keating a backseat ride in the slot jet? I wonder how often they do that for people . . .
