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 (19671969)

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)