From F/A-18 Hornets to Next-Gen Jets: The Blue Angels’ Fleet Upgrades

FL – Are you a fan of the high-flying precision maneuvers of the Blue Angels? The Blue Angels are part of the United States Navy and have been surprising and thrilling audiences since 1946. They are based at Forrest Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola (NPA). However, from January through March, they train at Naval Air Facility EL Centro (NJK), which is located two hours from San Diego and Palm Springs in the Imperial Valley. Throughout the demonstration group’s 77-year history, they have flown 11 different types of aircraft, from the F6F Hellcat to the current F/A 18 Super Hornet E/F.

F6F Hellcat

The Blue Angels began wowing audiences in 1946 with the F6F Hellcat. This single-engine propellor-driven fighter plane was developed in 18 months and put into official use in August 1943. It is considered to be one of the most notable aircraft in World War Two. The pilots of F6F Hellcats destroyed 5,156 enemy aircraft. It had a victory rate of 75 percent in naval air-to-air combat. The F6F Hellcat was equipped with one 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W engine. It had a max speed of 376 mph and cruised at 168 mph. It was equipped with six .50-caliber machine guns and had a maximum range of 1,090 miles. With these impressive specs, it’s no wonder the Blue Angels chose this aircraft as their first demonstrator.

F8F Bearcat

From 1946 to 1949, the Blue Angels flew the F8F Bearcat. This aircraft was 2,000 pounds lighter than the F6F Hellcat, with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 12,947. It contained one prop-driven 2,100 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W. It had a maximum speed of 421 mph and a maximum range of 1,105 miles. It was equipped with four .50 caliber machine guns and four 20 mm cannons. This aircraft was so powerful that it was often referred to as an engine with a saddle.

F9F-2 Panther

The Blue Angels flew the F9F-2 Panther from 1949 to 1950. The F9F-2 Panther marked the changeover from piston aircraft to jet fighters. The first of these aircraft were delivered to the Navy in May 1949, and they saw their first combat in July 1950 in Korea. They were equipped with a single 5,000 lb thrust Pratt & Whitney J-48-P-6 turbojet engine. It had a max speed of 575 mph and a maximum range of 1,353 miles. It was equipped with four MK-3 20 mm cannons and either bombs or 5-inch rockets.

F9F-5 Panther

The F9F-5 Panther was the upgrade to the F9F-2. The Blue Angels flew this aircraft from 1951 to 1955. This fighter jet had a maximum range of 1,300 miles and an initial climb speed of 5,090 feet per minute. It had a single 6,250 lb static thrust Pratt & Whitney J48-P-6A centrifugal-flow turbojet engine and a maximum speed of 604 mph. It was equipped with four 20 mm guns as well as 5-inch rockets or bombs.

F9F-8 Cougar

From 1955 to 1957, the Blue Angels flew the F9F-8 Cougar. This fighter jet featured a swept wing design that allowed it to achieve a maximum speed of 705 mph or Mach .895. It was also the first swept-wing design flown by the Blue Angels. The F9F-8 Cougar had a single 7,250 lb. static thrust Pratt & Whitney J-48-P-8A turbojet engine, a maximum ceiling of 50,000 feet, and a range of 600 miles. It was equipped with four 20 mm cannons as well as four sidewinder missiles or 2,000 pounds of ordinance. This aircraft was originally meant to be flown in Korea, but instead, it flew a single mission in Vietnam.

F11F-1 Tiger

From 1957 to 1968, the Blue Angels flew the F11F-1 Tiger. This fighter jet has a top speed of Mach 1.1 and a maximum range of 1,270 miles. It’s powered by a single 7,450 lb static thrust Wright J65-W-18 turbojet with a 10,500 lb afterburner. It was equipped with four 20 mm cannons and four sidewinder missiles. The F11F-1 Tiger is best known for flying faster than its bullets. During a test flight in 1956, the pilot performed a diving maneuver that resulted in the fighter jet being struck by its own bullets.

F-4J Phantom II

From 1969 to 1974, the Blue Angels flew the F-4J Phantom II. This jet had two seats and two engines. It was designed as a tactical fighter bomber that could be operated in all weather conditions. It has the ability to carry twice the payload of a B-17 Bomber. The F-4J Phantom II was equipped with two General Electric J-79-GE-15 engines. It has a maximum speed of 1,400 mph and the ability to fly above 60,000 feet. Its maximum takeoff weight is 58,000 pounds. This fighter jet could be equipped with up to 16,000 pounds of ordinance. This fighter jet was used by the Navy, Air Force, and Marines, and the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flew them. Unlike the previous fighter jets, the F-4J Phantom II is still in operation. Today, they’re primarily used as unmanned aerial targets. 

A-4F Skyhawk II

From 1984 to 1986, the Blue Angels flew the A-4F Skyhawk II. It was designed as a lightweight fighter jet with a maximum gross weight of 24,500 pounds. Because of its size, it was often referred to as the Tinker Toy. However, it was its size that made it easy to handle and extremely resilient. It participated in the first strikes during the Vietnam War and logged the most combat missions for the Navy. During their run, more than 3,000 of these combat jets were built. The last Navy Skyhawk was retired in 2003. It was equipped with one 8,500 lb static thrust Pratt & Whitney J52-P-6A engine. It had a maximum speed of 673 mph and a maximum range of 2,525. It was equipped with two 20 mm cannons and could carry up to 8,200 pounds of ordinance.

F/A-18 Hornet A/B and C/D

The F/A-18 Hornet A/B was flown by the Blue Angels from 1986 to 2010. From 2010 to 2020, they flew the F/A-18 Hornet C/D. These aircraft entered service in the Marines Corp in 1983 and the Navy in 1984. They were designed as all-weather fighters and to provide close air support. They were used in Desert Storm as fighters and bombers, often during the same mission. These aircraft are still used by the Navy and Marines. They are equipped with two F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines. They have a maximum takeoff weight of 51,900 pounds. They have a top speed above Mach 1.7 and a maximum combat range of 1,252 miles. They are typically armed with a 20 mm cannon and a variety of ordinance, including bombs, mines, rockets, and missiles.

F/A-18 Super Hornet E/F

In 2020, the Blue Angels switched to the F/A-18 Super Hornet E/F. This fighter was designed to replace the F-14 Tomcat, which was officially retired in 2006 after serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Gulf. The F/A-18 Super Hornet E/F is a multi-mission tactical aircraft that’s designed to perform a variety of day and night operations. It’s equipped with two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 66,000 pounds and a combat range of 1,275 nautical miles. It has a maximum airspeed greater than Mach 1.8. The F/A-18 Super Hornet E/F is equipped with one 20 mm cannon as well as sidewinders, sparrows, missiles, bombs, mines, and rockets.

In these advanced military aircraft, the Blue Angels get to showcase their precision flying while highlighting their teamwork, professionalism, and willingness to serve the United States. If you’re looking to see the Blue Angels in action, their next show is on March 9, 2024, at the NAF El Centro Festival of Flight. You can also join them on March 16 and 17 at Travis Air Force Base at Wings Over Solano and on March 23 and 24 at the New Orleans Air Show.