Editing Blue Angels (section)

===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.