Blue Angels Pilot, Scott Anderson (1982 - 1984)

Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
email: blueangelphantoms@gmail.com
Website: www.blueangelphantoms.com
Twitter: @blueangelf4
Instagram: @blueangelphantoms

Thumbnail: Photo by Harry Gann - special thanks to Russell Gann for permission.

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Instagram: @BlueAngelsAssociation
Twitter: @BlueAngelsAssoc

About Scott Anderson:

Scott Anderson is a former Navy Blue Angels pilot who served on the team from 1982 through the 1984 air show season. Scott’s roles during his tenure on the Blue Angels include as narrator for the 82 season, left wingman in 83, and the slot pilot and operations officer during 1984.

Prior to joining the Blue Angels, Anderson attended the US Naval Academy, where his interest in aviation was sparked by seeing the Blues perform in F4 Phantoms during the 1972 season. Shortly thereafter, he enrolled in flight training at Saufley Field and graduated in December of 1976, where Anderson was then assigned to fly A7 Corsairs as part of VFA-83, the Rampagers, onboard the USS Forrestal. He deployed twice to the Mediterranean and also served as an LSO before transferring to VFA-174 as an instructor pilot. He eventually submitted an application to join the 1981 Blue Angels team, but was not accepted on this first attempt. Not intending to apply again, Anderson was encouraged by the Blue Angels to reapply for the 1982 season, where he was eventually accepted and joined the team for winter training in February of that year.

After leaving the Navy, Anderson enjoyed a 30+ years career flying commercially, including as a Captain of a Boeing 747.

1982 Blue Angels Team:

1. CDR Dave Carroll
2. Maj Tim Dineen, USMC
3. LT Kevin Miller
4. LCDR Bob Stephens
5. LCDR Jim Ross
6. LCDR Randy Clark
7. LCDR Scott Anderson
8. LT Bud Hunsucker
Maintenance Officer: LCDR Al Edmonson
Doc: LCDR Kevin Wand

1983 Blue Angels Team

1. CDR Dave Carroll
2. Maj Mark Lauritzen, USMC
3. LCDR Scott Anderson
4. LT Kevin Miller
5. LCDR Jim Ross
6. LCDR Chris Ives
7. LCDR Curt Watson
8. LCDR John Virden
Maintenance Officer: LT Doug Hill
Doc: LCRD Dwight Fulton

1984 Blue Angels Team

1. CDR Larry "Hoss" Pearson
2. Maj Mark Lauritzen, USMC
3. LCDR Curt Watson
4. LCDR Scott Anderson
5. LCDR Chris Ives
6. LCDR Andy Caputi
7. LCDR Mike Gershon
8. LCDR John Virden
Maintenance Officer: LT Doug Hill
Doc: LCDR Dwight Fulton

About the A4F Skyhawk (from Wikipedia)

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable attack aircraft developed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps in the early 1950s. The delta-winged, single turbojet engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later by McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated A4D under the U.S. Navy's pre-1962 designation system.

The Skyhawk is a relatively lightweight aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds (11,100 kg) and has a top speed of more than 670 miles per hour (1,080 km/h). The aircraft's five hardpoints support a variety of missiles, bombs and other munitions. It is capable of carrying a bomb load equivalent to that of a World War II–era Boeing B-17 bomber, and can deliver nuclear weapons using a low-altitude bombing system and a "loft" delivery technique. The A-4 was originally powered by the Wright J65 turbojet engine; from the A-4E onwards, the Pratt & Whitney J52 engine was used.

Skyhawks played key roles in the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, and the Falklands War. Sixty years after the aircraft's first flight in 1954, some of the 2,960 produced (through February 1979)[1] remain in service with the Argentine Air Force and the Brazilian Naval Aviation.

The A-4's nimble performance also made it suitable to replace the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II when the Navy downsized its aircraft for the Blue Angels demonstration team, until McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets were available in the 1980s. The last U.S. Navy Skyhawks, TA-4J models belonging to the composite squadron VC-8, remained in military use for target towing, and as adversary aircraft, for combat training at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads. These aircraft were officially retired on 3 May 2003.

Skyhawks were well loved by their crews for being tough and agile. These attributes, along with their low purchase and operating cost as well as easy maintenance, have contributed to the popularity of the A-4 with American and international armed forces. Besides the U.S., at least three other nations have used A-4 Skyhawks in combat (Argentina, Israel, and Kuwait).