Blue Angels | Transition to the A4 Skyhawk | NEW Panel Discussion

Wingtip to Canopy: The story behind the Blue Angels transition to the A4 Skyhawk

The delta-wing Douglas Aircraft A4-F Skyhawk II served as the Blue Angels' platform of choice for 13 years, flying in over 1,000 demonstrations. While the Skyhawk was a fan favorite amongst air show enthusiast, the introduction of the light attack aircraft onto the Blue Angels was not exactly an occasion to celebrate due to the tragic circumstances that served as the catalyst for the team's transition from the A4's predecessor, the F4 Phantom.

On July 26, 1973, the Blue Angels were transiting to and performing arrival maneuvers at Lakehurst, New Jersey, when two of the team's Phantoms collided, resulting in the deaths of Boss Skip Umstead, USMC pilot Mike Murphy, and crew chief Ronald Thomas. The accident, along with a nation wide fuel crisis, resulted in the team suspending operations for the remainder of the 1973 season. It was at this time that the Blue Angels not only made the decision to transition the A4 Skyhawk, but were also reorganized as an official squadron, which would have lasting implications to the team's leadership structure.

In this brand new and unique panel discussion organized by the Blue Angels Association, you'll hear from members of the Blue Angels that participated in the team's transition as they detail their evaluation process to select the A4 Skyhawk as the Blue Angels' platform of choice for 1974, the key differences between the F4 and A4, and the organizational changes that took place as a result of becoming a squadron.

The Panelists:

Steve Lambert: Blue Angels F4 Phantom Solo Pilot (1972 - 1973)

John Patton: Blue Angels Narrator & Pilot (1974 - 1976)

Chuck Newcomb: Blue Angels Flight Officer & PAO (1973- 1974)

Gil Rud: Moderator | Blue Angels Flight Leader (1986 - 1988)

Discussion Time Stamps:

0:00 Introduction - Gil Rud
0:57 Wingtip to Canopy video clip
2:34 Open remarks - Gil Rud
3:53 The end of the F4 era - Steve Lambert
6:36 How the Blue Angels selected the A4 Skyhawk - Steve Lambert
8:10 Changes made to the A4 Skyhawk for the demonstration. - John Patton
10:19 The Blue Angels reorganize into a squadron - Chuck Newcomb
12:20 Working for the new commanding officer, Tony Less - John Patton
14:52 The difference between an F4 and an A4 - John Patton
18:11 Adventures as the Blue Angels Events Coordinator - Chuck Newcomb
19:50 What maneuvers were removed from the demo as a result of the transition - Steve Lambert
21:08 Maintenance differences between the F4 and A4 - John Patton
23:15 Audience questions from former Blue Angels - Ray Sandelli, Dan Keating, David Anderson, & Boss Keith Jones

Blue Angels 1973 Team:

1. LCDR Skip Umstead
2. LCDR Marlin Wiita
3. Capt John Fogg, USMC
4. Capt Mike Murphy, USMC
5. LT Steve Lambert
6. LT Jerry Tucker
7. LT John Chehansky
8. LT Chuck Newcomb
MO Fred Wiggins
SUPO CW04 Clinton Swart

Blue Angels 1974 Team:

1. CDR Tony Less
2. LCDR Marlin Wiita
3. LT John Chehansky
4. Capt John Fogg, USMC
5. LT Jerry Tucker
6. LT Vance Parker
7. LT John Patton
8. LT Chuck Newcomb
MO LCDR Fred Wiggins / LT Mike Deeter
Doc LCDR Bob Randolph
AO LCDR Leo Boor
SUPO CW04 Clinton Swartz