Editing Blue Angels (section)

==Aircraft==

===Current===
[[File:C-130 Herculues with JATO.jpg|thumb|Blue Angels' Marine Corps [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]] "Fat Albert" conducting a [[RATO]] (rocket-assisted takeoff)]]
[[File:BlueAngelsFA18.jpg|thumb|[[Prandtl-Glauert singularity|Water condensation]] in the [[Strake (aviation)|strake]] vortices of a Blue Angels Hornet]]

The team flew the [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet]] for 34 years from 1986 through 2020. The team currently flies the [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet]].

In August 2018, Boeing was awarded a contract to convert nine single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornets and two F/A-18F two-seaters for Blue Angels use. Modifications to each F/A-18E/F include removal of the weapons and replacement with a tank that contains smoke-oil used in demonstrations and outfitting the control stick with a spring system for more precise aircraft control input. Control sticks are tensioned with {{convert|40|lb||abbr=}} of force to allow the pilot minimal room for non-commanded movement of the aircraft. Each modified F/A-18 remains in the fleet and can be returned to combat duty aboard an aircraft carrier within 72 hours.<ref name="convert FA-18-EFs">{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-to-convert-fa-18-efs-into-blue-angels-451138/|title=Boeing to convert F/A-18 E/Fs into Blue Angels |date=15 August 2018|author=Garrett Reim |work=flightglobal.com |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816122708/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-to-convert-fa-18-efs-into-blue-angels-451138/ |archive-date=16 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>  As converted aircraft were delivered, they were used for testing maneuvers starting in mid 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Navy Blue Angels |url=https://www.facebook.com/USNavyBlueAngels/posts/4130339320340488 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/105260116181782/4130339320340488 |archive-date=2022-02-25 |url-access=limited |access-date=2021-01-30 |website= Facebook.com |language=en}}{{cbignore}}{{Self-published inline|date=January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Navy Blue Angels |url=https://www.facebook.com/USNavyBlueAngels/posts/4702553703119044 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/105260116181782/4702553703119044 |archive-date=2022-02-25 |url-access=limited|access-date=2021-01-30 |website= Facebook |language=en}}{{cbignore}} {{Self-published inline|date=January 2024}}</ref> The team's Super Hornets became operational by the beginning of 2021, their 75th anniversary year.<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-11-10 |title=Blue Angels transition to Super Hornets ahead of 75th anniversary |url=https://www.wtkr.com/news/military/blue-angels-transition-to-super-hornets-ahead-of-75th-anniversary |access-date=2021-01-04 |last=Corillo |first=Todd |work=[[WTKR]] News |language=en}}</ref>

The show's narrator Blue Angels No. 8, flies a two-seat (F/A-18F Super Hornet), to show sites. The Blues use these jets for backups or spares, and to give demonstration rides to VIP (civilians).  Usually, two back seats rides are available at each air show; one goes to a member of the press, and the other to the "Key Influencer".<ref name="blueangels.navy.mil" />  The No. 4 Slot Pilot often flies the No. 7 aircraft in Friday's "practice" so that pilots from the fleet and future team members can experience the show.

In 2020, the [[United States Marine Corps]] Blue Angels purchased a surplus [[Royal Air Force]] [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules]] (RAF registration ZH885, US registration 170000) as the new "Fat Albert", for their logistics, carrying spare parts, equipment, and to carry support personnel between shows.

===Historical===
====F6F-5 Hellcat====
The ''Hellcat'' was the first aircraft flown, and the pilots were advanced flight instructors who flew the aircraft at war. The F6F-5s were painted in a dark navy blue with gold lettering and made first flight demonstration on May 10, 1946.

====F8F-1 Bearcat====
The '''Bearcat'' began flying towards the end of the first season for the team. It was the last propeller-driven aircraft flown by the Blue Angels and the first to fly the diamond formation. The Bearcats first appeared when performing in Denver in August of 1946.

====F9F-2 Panther====
The ''Panther'' was the first jet used by the Blue Angels.  After a temporary disbandment for the Korean War, with the unit serving with VMF-191, when reactivated on Oct. 25, 1951 the [[F9F-5 Panther]] was again used.

====F9F-8 Cougar====
In the winter of 1954/55 the ''Cougar'' started being flown by the Blue Angels, serving until the middle of 1957.

====F11F-1 Tiger====
In mid 1957 ''Tiger'' began flying with the Blue Angels. The F11F-1 was the first supersonic jet and the last Grumman planes serving the flight team. It was used until 1969, even though it had been withdrawn from frontline service years ago. It proved one of the most popular aircraft with the public shows, because of its afterburner and sleek lines.

====F-4J Phantom II====
In 1969 the F-4J became the demo plane, serving until December 1974. The F-4 was operated concurrently by the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds demonstration teams.
[[File:Vintage aviation-017.jpg|thumb|Blue Angels team with F-4 Phantoms, Greater Southwest Airport, Tarrant Co. Texas, 1970]]

====A-4F Skyhawk II====
Some accidents and the price of fuel lead to adopt the more economical A-4F Skyhawk II. The Blue Angels flew the A-4 in their 80 shows during the Bicentennial celebrations of 1976. The Blue Angels also made 30 years on 1976 and performed their 2,000th show flying the A-4F . The Skyhawk served from December 1974 to November 1986.
[[File:Vintage aircraft 176-038.jpg|thumb|Blue Angels team equipped with A-4 Skyhawk, Chino Airport, San Bernardino Co. California, 1985]]

====F/A-18 Hornet====
In 1986 the Blue Angels transitioned to the [[F/A-18 Hornet]]. The F/A-18A model served from 1986 to 2010, and F/A-18C model from 2010 to 2020.