US Navy Blue Angels... sample...

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Here are just a few of the pictures I have taken while the US Navy Blue Angels were in town this weekend.


These were taken by myself with my sisters Olympus digital camera. They turned out pretty well.

The unique thing about these pics is that the Blue Angels takeoff from Boeing Field in Seattle, but actually perform over Lake Washington. It is what they call a remote site show, meaning they don'tn actually perform over the airport. so, all of these pictures you will see are the "behind the scenes" pics of the team as they setup for their different maneuvers. It certainly provides a different look at the Blue Angel show, and really shows off the incredible skill of the pilots as they re-join the formation, and change formations.

This is the Blue Angel Diamond flying by. This is a much spread out version of their Diamond. They tighten it up to 18 inches from wingtip to canopy when they are in front of the crowd. You'll notice they're using the Number 7 jet, which is actually the spare jet. It has a longer canopy as it is a two-seater.

Here they are seconds later... look at that beautiful blue paint!

Here they are again, setting up for another maneuver.

Whoa, what's that guy doing way out there?! A lot of people around us thought this was a mistake, as they came into view in a perfect diamond... but then turned into this! What's going on? Well, the next maneuver has the lead jet and the slot jet (the back of the formation... #4/#7) flying INVERTED (upside down) while the two wingmen (sides... #2 and #3) fly upright. In order for this to work, the SLOT pilot has to actually be the HIGHEST plane in the formation, istead of the lowest. He can't simply fly through the jet exhaust, so the right wingman (#2) kicks right rudder to get about 20 feet from Boss' (#1 is refered to as, "Boss") right wing, to allow the Slot pilot to "slip" in between the two aircraft. This is kind of an odd angle of it... but that's what's going on. All extremely smooth and precise.

And here is "Boss" firmly on the ground in Seattle again. Notice the haze? That's from the smoke when the Blue Angels just did their formation break over the field.

Hope you enjoy 'em! That's all I've got right now, but there are many more to come soon!!

God bless!

 

[Jer]

Very nice. I think the 2nd and last ones are the best. Get one with them hitting the afterburners, if they do,

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Thanks, glad you like them.

There are a couple of problems with trying to get Blue Angels' afterburner shots...

1: Since they are in formation all the time, they rarely use afterburner... afterall, the other guys have to stay with 'em.

2: When they do use AB, they're so far away, it's a waste of film.

BUT... I do happen to have a nice AB pick of a Gray jet... Check the threads called "Hornet West" and "Eagle West"

 

[Jer]

I should have guessed about the afterburners, was a silly comment. It's bad enough flying formation without the massive disruptive wake the afterburners would create!

 

[Latreia]

Oooooh, man!! You have caught the thrill and the glory beautifully. Magnificent.

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

It's not a silly comment. There are times when the Blues do use AB, but at this particular location, it's difficult to catch.

Just for you... here is a pic I took last summer in Oregon. Full AB.

Thanks Latreia, I'm glad you liked the pictures.