Once a Blue Angel, always a Blue Angel

[Jason Grant]

Tomorrow, the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron conducts its final flight in the Legacy Hornet, the aircraft it has been flying for the last 34 years. I have a bit of an obsession with the Blue Angels and the legacy hornet, which began for me in 2006 during their last brief visit to Europe. A show at Leeuwarden, in cloud, a demonstration that was delayed due to a tyre blowout on the number 5 jet during take-off, but seeing what the team offered, plans begun for a trip to the USA in 2008.

Cleveland air show 2008 was the first time I saw the Blue Angels in the USA, a show bathed in glorious weather and fabulous access, which was arranged ahead of the trip. Stood with the aircraft during the show and moving to the end of the runway for their demonstration, a low level takeoff over water, followed by a hard pull up to what looked like 90 degrees, the show still holds a special place. The next weekend, I was fortunate to see them again at the final NAS Brunswick show, again stunning weather, our own enclosure, including a night show with a JATO from Fat Albert in the dark, made for some great memories. The music really does add to the theatre. I have seen them many times since then, at various locations across the USA and some wonderful memories have been made, shared with friends. Below are a few images from various times and locations that I would like to share with you, as we say goodbye to the Legacy Hornet. Once a Blue Angel, always a Blue Angel. Thanks for the memories.

Cleveland
The Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angel No.6 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angel No.6 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angel No.1 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Other locations.
162437 No.6 F/A-18A Hornet "Sneak Pass" by Jason Grant, on Flickr

162826 5 F/A-18A Blue Angel by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels 2012 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels 2012 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

163768 4 Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels 2013 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

163464 7 F/A-18D Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

FA-18C Hornets Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

163464 7 Blue Angel F/A-18D by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels 2019 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

162437 5 F/A-18C Hornet Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

163498 6 F/A-18C Hornet Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

F/A-18C Hornets Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

F/A-18C Hornets Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

F/A-18C Hornets Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

F/A-18C Hornets Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels 2012 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Welcome back.. by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

163455 4 F/A-18C Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

F/A-18C Hornet Formation, Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

163768 Blue Angels No.5 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

163705 Blue Angel 6 F/A-18C Hornet by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Capt Eric Doyle Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

[john]

Stunning tribute to a stunning team and jet, I have fond memories of them too, some outstanding photos there, hope the next few years will be as good
John.

[Thunder]

Fantastic set, with some brilliant memories for yourself. I've only seen them twice, both at shows and in both instances they didn't fly due to conditions.

[reaper493]

Absolutely superb.

Only ever seen them stationary, from a far at RAF Finingley in 92.

They need to do more European visits than twice in almost 30 years.

Mike

[DanBeeden]

Superb shots from some photogenic locations - great work.

[conelrad]

Wonderful shots, thanks for sharing!

[Sparts99]

Superb shots. The Blue Angels scheme is fantastic, looks good on all the aircraft they've used, but I think this and the Tiger II are my favourites.

[Blackcat1]

Stunning !

[MR TERRY GREEN]

I remember their show at RAF Finingley #1 Team and colour scheme.

[loadmaster100]

Stunning set, thanks for sharing. Sadly I have never see the Angels, hopefully one day

[wolfie138]

incredible, thanks for sharing.

[matt e]

superb set

[falconfighting]

Great set, those trousers are too tight though!

[raptor9]

Jason. I agree with everything you say. Have seen them on about a dozen occasions in the States, [once here]. I am not a photographer, but you're pictures are superb, and they show what precision that the Team achieves. For me, it was all about their superb flying. Some people always try to compare their ability with The Red Arrows. It is a mistake to do this. The two teams fly in a completely different manner. Accuracy is everything with the Blue Angels, perhaps not so important in a fully aerobatic team. I was always annoyed, when videoing the formation approaching from the right, slowly, and ALWAYS missed the near sonic pass from the right at crowd centre. 12 times!!!!!. My travelling companion always failed to remind me it was coming!!!. Doh!!!. Regards, John. Enjoyed these.

[Hunter49]

Saw the angels at finningley the paractise day friday it took quite a while for the groundcrew to position vans to exact position that the leader was happy with, but the practise was fantastic , talk about low incredible . We where on the far side of the airfield on the dump accsess road great location , met Terry Ford a great guy , Rob

[Proteus]

Probably the best set I have ever seen, the light is everything, fantastic, thank you.

[TommyC]

Fantastic collection of pictures, thank you for sharing!

[roger_d]

Great set of photographs. Thanks for sharing.

[Finty]

Very nice

[spearhead]

Cracking Set. Well Done.