Micro Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 For years I've told others who are Blues enthusiasts that they used to do a Diamond landing. Not a soul ever believed me. Well, after going hunting, I finally found a video to prove it. The whole show is a lot different than today's, but there it is at 17:55. I feel so vindicated! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
parche Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 Wow. That is cool. Nice find. Glad you were vindicated. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 Wow. That is cool. Nice find. Glad you were vindicated. Dave Thanks. Me too. All I ever heard was, "Those were the A-4's that did that. Not the Hornets." 18 years I heard that!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) Cool! Wonder why they stopped doing it??? I recall seeing them in '86 at NAS Brunswick, first season with the F/A-18A and they were lined up on the flightline in their typical fashion, only they had the wings folded. That's the only time I have ever seen that. EDIT: that would be 1987, not 86...they switched to 18s at the end of '86. Edited February 24, 2016 by 82Whitey51 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) Cool! Wonder why they stopped doing it??? I recall seeing them in '86 at NAS Brunswick, first season with the F/A-18A and they were lined up on the flightline in their typical fashion, only they had the wings folded. That's the only time I have ever seen that. I heard from a friend of a friend of a friend.... They spoke to LCDR Mark Dunleavy (a slot pilot) about why they don't do it. Dunleavy's response was that the top brass was very concerned about a tire blowout on landing causing a major catastrophe. BTW, I'd love to see a video of them taxiing out with the wings folded. They should definitely re-incorporate that! Edited February 24, 2016 by Micro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 I believe they did the Diamond Landing for the first couple of seasons in the Hornet. It was only performed at bases, etc that could handle the formation space wise ... -Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DBB69 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 A Blue Angels show I saw in New Orleans back in either 85 or 86 with the skyhawk had them doing a 3 ship diamond for the show. It was either 2 or 3 that was out, don't remember exactly. That was a Sunday show, Saturday show 4 ship diamond. I do remember thinking there must have been some serious break downs happening that day. There were also 2 blue A-4F skyhawks parked away from the lineup but had no tail numbers. Wish I would have had a camera that day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) Dunleavy's response was that the top brass was very concerned about a tire blowout on landing causing a major catastrophe. Valid concern. NAS Pensacola 11.11.2006 I was at this show and both his main tires blew during the landing and he spun off the runway.. In that photo above, he's 180 degrees into his spin. Edited February 24, 2016 by Trigger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 A Blue Angels show I saw in New Orleans back in either 85 or 86 with the skyhawk had them doing a 3 ship diamond for the show. It was either 2 or 3 that was out, don't remember exactly. That was a Sunday show, Saturday show 4 ship diamond. I do remember thinking there must have been some serious break downs happening that day. There were also 2 blue A-4F skyhawks parked away from the lineup but had no tail numbers. Wish I would have had a camera that day. In 1999, they lost the #3 man along with his upcoming replacement (LCDR Kieron O'Connor & LT Kevin Colling)during arrival maneuvers in GA (they were in a "B" model). The following weekend was their NAS Pensacola Homecoming show. They flew the show with the #4 slot pilot/jet taking the #3 wing spot in a 3 ship "diamond". They kept the #3 jet parked at the center of the flight line. I have photos from this show kicking around somewhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 I saw a show in the late 80s where one of the solo planes and one of the diamond planes stayed on the ground due to medical issues with the pilots rather than mechanical issues with the planes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) I saw a show in the late 80s where one of the solo planes and one of the diamond planes stayed on the ground due to medical issues with the pilots rather than mechanical issues with the planes. Minimum 12 hours from-bottle-to-throttle Edited February 24, 2016 by Trigger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boom175 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 How about a Delta landing!I seem to remember them doing this with the F-4 I think its in the movie "Threshold" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Minimum 12 hours from-bottle-to-throttle The PA announcer explained it as one pilot had an ear infection and another a sore throat. Both could be severe issues with pressure changes in flight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camus272 Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 A Blue Angels show I saw in New Orleans back in either 85 or 86 with the skyhawk had them doing a 3 ship diamond for the show. It was either 2 or 3 that was out, don't remember exactly. That was a Sunday show, Saturday show 4 ship diamond. I do remember thinking there must have been some serious break downs happening that day. There were also 2 blue A-4F skyhawks parked away from the lineup but had no tail numbers. Wish I would have had a camera that day. I've seen a few shows in the last five years with a 3 ship diamond from both the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. I also saw one BA practice with one diamond and one solo out for maintenance. As mentioned, it can be the pilots - if they are sick there is no one to replace them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 The PA announcer explained it as one pilot had an ear infection and another a sore throat. Both could be severe issues with pressure changes in flight. Makes sense. However, in recent years, the Blues have been known to rampage past their cutoff time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Makes sense. However, in recent years, the Blues have been known to rampage past their cutoff time. Now wait a minute, hold on. Are you suggesting that Naval Aviators might partake of any alcoholic beverages before flying? Surely you jest! I'm shocked...shocked I tells ya! Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 Would have been better had he taken it IN the cockpit. Sort of a pre-flight check thing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 On the subject of the Blues, there is an FB page that has some really nice pics of the Blues back in the A-4 days (lots of nice pics of other aircraft as well, circa 70's - 80's). I really like this: Is it me or are those two jets flying verrrry close together? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.