Blue Angels | Transition to the F4 Phantom | NEW Panel Discussion

Crossing the Threshold: The story of the Blue Angels transition to the F4 Phantom Throughout the storied 75 year history of the Blue Angels, the Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron has represented millions of sailors and Marines around the world flying the fleet's most powerful aircraft. None more so than the McDonnell Douglas F4 Phantom. With only a short tenure of four years serving the team, the blue and gold F4s left a lasting impression in an era of Blue Angel history that will never be forgotten. At the height of the Vietnam War in 1968, the Blue Angels were demonstrating in the Grumman built F11 Tiger. Serving the Blues for 11 of their 21 year history to that point, the F11s were on their last legs and the team was in desperate need of a replacement. With limited resources in the Navy's inventory, the Blues faced an uphill battle to find their next aircraft. In this rare and special panel discussion organized by the Blue Angels Association, you'll hear from the members of the Blue Angels that authorized, facilitated and executed the successful transition from the F11 Tiger to the F4 Phantom for the 1969 air show season. The Panelists: Bill Wheat: Blue Angels Flight Leader (1967-1969) Vince Donile: Blue Angel Marine Corp Pilot (1968 - 1969) John Allen: Blue Angels Pilot (1967 - 1969) Mary Russell O'Mara: First female officer to join the Blue Angels and served as the team's Assistant Public Affairs Officer (1969 - 1970) Ernie Christensen: Blue Angels Pilot (1969 - 1970) Jim Maslowski: Blue Angels Pilot (1970 - 1971) Kevin O'Mara: Blue Angels Marine Pilot (1970 - 1971) Ryan Nothhaft: Panel Moderator Program timestamps: 0:40 Introduction & opening video 2:54 Opening remarks 5:13 Catalyst for the team's transition to the F4 Phantom - Boss Wheat 8:39 Learning to fly the F4 Phantom for demonstration with minimal previous experience - Ernie Christensen 10:51 Banana pill dispenser in the cockpit of Vince Donile's F4 Phantom - Vince Donile 11:44 Differences between flying the F11 Tiger and the F4 Phantom - John Allen 12:48 First female officer to join the Blue Angels - Mary O'Mara 16:27 Dynamics of the 1970 Diamond with 3 new pilots - Jim Maslowski 18:57 Building the demo for the 1969 season with a new aircraft - Boss Wheat 23:32 Flying supersonic in Kelowna - Vince Donile 26:20 Issues caused by the use of colored smoke - Boss Wheat, Jim Maslowski 29:42 Diamond vs Solo, which one is better? - John Allen 33:48 Changes made to the F4 control system for the Blue Angels - Ernie Christensen 25:16 A ride she will never forget - Mary O'Mara 37:58 Collision in 1970 winter training - Jim Maslowski 39:07 Delta landings in the F4 Phantom - Ernie Christensen 41:03 Flying air shows overseas - Jim Maslowski 42:11 Echelon landings - Jim Maslowski 42:50 Flying the Lockheed Constellation 45:06 Unintended 6 plane cross in Quito, Ecuador - Kevin O'Mara 47:10 Phantom Phixers - the unsung heroes of the Blue Angels - Boss Wheat 50:07 Most challenging maneuver 54:25 Audience Questions 56:28 Closing remarks Presented by: The Blue Angels Association Filmed by: Hellcat Productions Edited by: Ryan Nothhaft | Blue Angel Phantoms Visual Resources Provided by: Ron Rentfrow Harry Gann courtesy of Russell Gann Tradition: Blue Angels 1969 Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience (1975)