Blue Angels - Aircraft Timeline

Aircraft Timeline

The "Blues" have flown nine different demonstration aircraft and five support aircraft models:

Demonstration aircraft

1. Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat – June–August 1946
2. Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat – August 1946 – 1949
3. Grumman F9F-2 Panther – 1949 – June 1950 (first jet);
4. Grumman F9F-5 Panther – 1951-Winter 1954/55
5. Grumman F9F-8 Cougar – Winter 1954/55-mid-season 1957 (swept-wing)
6. Grumman F11F-1 Tiger – mid-season 1957–1969 (first supersonic jet)
7. McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II – 1969 – December 1974
8. A-4F Skyhawk – December 1974 – November 1986
9. McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18A-D Hornet – November 1986 – present.

Support aircraft

1. Douglas R4D Sky Train — 1949–1955
2. Curtiss R5C Commando — 1953
3. Douglas R5D Skymaster — 1956–1968
4. Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation — 1969–1973
5. Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Fat Albert" — 1970 – present

Miscellaneous aircraft

1. SNJ Texan
2. Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
3. F7U Cutlass