This was the 1970 team featured in the documentary "Threshold: the Blue Angels experience". What makes this story more pointed, is that during the threshold video, there is a sequence where the solos rejoin the diamond for the delta maneuvers. As steve slides in next to jim, he radios "Hi Jim". Jim answers "Hi Steve".
@@pkelly3463 Weird, I posted a link to the Threshold video, why did youtube delete it? Ok, so put " 'Threshold" Blue Angels, F-4 Phantom" into the youtube search. There is a full length video by the uploader dearkoroberry. Go to 34:20, you'll see the segment I was referring to.
My first time seeing the Blues was as a teenager in 1972. They did their show over the beach at Galveston, TX. Many years later I was a journalist and aviation writer and they kindly gave me an unforgettable ride in their new F/A-18B. Thank you so much, Blues.
was fortunate enough to work on the Marine F-4J and do the first cruise of the USS Nimitz for 7 months. Tell me another 19 year old that had that much fun......and responsibility.
F4 was such a great plane for the military. Some are still used as target drones on bases. I saw a line of them recently on the tarmac at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.
I think you guys that fly planes like this are the true gems of the world. You've conquered your skill to the fullest degree, and accepted nothing less. I am speechless! There are no words... Thank you and We love You for all you do!
My brother flew the A7 in Vietnam and then FA18 Hornet. Hes in the Naval museum for 1000 traps. He knew and was friends with the Blue Angel pilots. I love you Jer. Youre my hero!
I saw the Blue Angels in Winston-Salem which would have been either 1971 or 1972. I remember one pilot flying upside down right in front of us if I had a photo roster I could probably name him 😊 it felt that close.
This generation of Blue Angels must have been true master pilots. The F-4 is a very fast, yet hardly nimble aircraft. Translation: when things got rough for whatever reason (wind, hydraulics, shear, whatever), the reaction time to correct ‘with finesse’ didn’t exist. The Gen 4 planes the Navy and Air Force use today are highly nimble (the F-4 is Gen 3). The F-16 was the first ‘fly by wire’ fighter that could turn on a dime. The F-4 is a monster of power and is famous for its climb rate and ceiling (it reached space at +90,000 feet on one of the first flights - in the 60’s!!!). Again, they had to be master pilots and I’m proud to have them flying - even though they were Navy. Lol. Go Air Force!!! (Former F-16 pilot, 1986-1996).
USN, 68-74, ETR-2, maintained GCA RADAR and TACAN, NAS Miramar, 70-74. The F-4 Angels were at an air show one of those years, MAN I could not believe some of the stuff they did!! I am 75
When your life daily hangs in the balance and you’re painfully aware of how dangerous your occupation is, you are very aware of Who to thank for miracles such as these.
I wanted to say Thank you to all of you guys that are out there flaying these planes every single day and going to the air show's and performing. You guys are the best. Love all of you and stay safe out there.
People see this guy every day and probably think he’s just some regular old Joe Schmo. “Hey old man, you ever do anything cool when you were young?” “Well…when I was in the United States Navy, I flew fighter jets, then I was an instructor pilot. Then I flew as lead plane with the US Navy’s Blue Angels. You ever hear of the Blue Angels?”
The real take away here is that problems are all relative. What might be just a minor hiccup at work for you may be a pants filling OMFG shriekfest for others. Conversely, recognizing the difference between dramatic and merely dangerous can make the difference in sleeping in your own bed that night.
Why did they have the Aim7s loaded? I know they're probably disarmed / unloaded but the last shot looks like the bottom of a Blue Angels phantom with the Aim7s on
I'm curious about whether his stabilator somehow actually pulled out the face-curtain rings, or caused the seat to depart the jet without firing. Does anybody know?
That's why planes are complete in and of themselves and should always maintain a safe buffer space between so as to avoid all unnecessary mid-air contact!
AVIATORS are better than PILOTS. Sorry, USAF: Pilots don't HAVE TO land on a bobbing cork in the middle of the night in a hurricane. Brownshoes gotta do that ... routinely!
You had me till you said thanks to the big guy. There are 3,000 children will die today and every day from a lack of food water or shot of penicillin safely. Your training and luck had a lot to do with it. Many of your fellow Blue Angels have had mid-air occasions and so did the big guy not give a s***about their lives and their families.
Not too many aircraft could absorb such damage and survive. The Phantom was a real beast and something to be reckoned with.
I think the F-4 phantom in my favorite beside the b52 stratofortress
This was the 1970 team featured in the documentary "Threshold: the Blue Angels experience". What makes this story more pointed, is that during the threshold video, there is a sequence where the solos rejoin the diamond for the delta maneuvers. As steve slides in next to jim, he radios "Hi Jim". Jim answers "Hi Steve".
I remember that radio exchange. But it wasn't on the rejoin. It was on the 4 plane cross at show center
@@pkelly3463 I would suggest watching again, because Steve would not have been a part of a 4 ship cross at show center.
@@pkelly3463 Weird, I posted a link to the Threshold video, why did youtube delete it?
Ok, so put " 'Threshold" Blue Angels, F-4 Phantom" into the youtube search. There is a full length video by the uploader dearkoroberry. Go to 34:20, you'll see the segment I was referring to.
@siouxperb5570 I had the names wrong. Its been 25 yrs plus since Ive watched the vid. 21:00
@@pkelly3463 Man, that got me thinking. It's been about 30 to 35 years myself since I've seen it. How can it possibly have been that long ago? Crazy.
F4 Phantoms.. beautiful
Clean, pure to form, no baggage. The Phantom as intended from conception.
ERNIE was my CAPT in VF-114 ARDVARKS! 1979-1982 I can NOT give him enough appreciation, him n Cdr Enshe as well, WHAT A TEAM!
Vark vark vark!!!
Harley Hall, Bill Maseloski, Kevin O'Mara, Ernie Christensen, Steve Shoemaker, Skip Umstead and JD Davis.... best team ever.
Jim Maslowski.
Oh Lord. Heart stopping! God Bless You, Semper Fi 🇺🇸
Most stereotypical names ever 😂 bunch of chads
F-4, such an amazing aircraft.
You have to have had real Angels flying with you❣️👼
F4 while beautiful, sleek, fast and lethal, were a bear at times to control. Like a bucking bronco. These pilots were beyond experienced.
Bronco?
More like a Clydsedale!
They were big, heavy, bulky & beefy!
Thank god they had so much wingspace! Otherwise it'd be like flying a destroyer.
You’re so right! See my note above.
My first time seeing the Blues was as a teenager in 1972. They did their show over the beach at Galveston, TX. Many years later I was a journalist and aviation writer and they kindly gave me an unforgettable ride in their new F/A-18B. Thank you so much, Blues.
What a beautiful bird!! 🦅🇺🇸
You can watch the entire panel discussion that this short video is from by clicking on the link "Blue Angels | Transition to the F4".
Things can get expensive real quick.
was fortunate enough to work on the Marine F-4J and do the first cruise of the USS Nimitz for 7 months.
Tell me another 19 year old that had that much fun......and responsibility.
F4 was such a great plane for the military. Some are still used as target drones on bases. I saw a line of them recently on the tarmac at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.
Some countries still use them as fighters
You did not see QF-4s. Tyndall/USAF hasn't had QF-4s for almost a decade... You likely saw QF-16s.
@@cup_and_cone It has been a while, this was 2016 that i saw them, and yes, they were F4s.. A whole line of them on the tarmac.
@@coryboy345 Last delivery was '15, so yes, they still had them in '16. But your original post said recently...
How many F-4’s are at the boneyard? Wish they’d make just a few airworthy, but just not in the budget.
Love these stories
Thanks you guys you guys put on a good show I love to see you again
USS FORRESTAL CV-59
82 med/io. F4s were Top Dawg.
83, it entered Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a life extension program.
As a camper out in Anza Borrego, and have watched these guys practice, and had them buzz camp over our American flag...THANK YOU! It was a thrill.
I think you guys that fly planes like this are the true gems of the world. You've conquered your skill to the fullest degree, and accepted nothing less.
I am speechless! There are no words...
Thank you and We love You for all you do!
From a Navy family! Thanks Blue Angels 😎
My brother flew the A7 in Vietnam and then FA18 Hornet. Hes in the Naval museum for 1000 traps. He knew and was friends with the Blue Angel pilots. I love you Jer. Youre my hero!
Earnie Christensen was my Capt on the USS Kansas City AOR-3
Thank God
God be with you my man and Thank You for Your Services
Some tough fellas.
Dont remember this. Dad told me about it he was USAF. I remember the T-Birds accident. Was a tragic day for aviation
I've wondered about stuff like this while training. The things they do are so amzing & nail biting intense. Love them very skilled pilots!
I saw the Blue Angels in Winston-Salem which would have been either 1971 or 1972. I remember one pilot flying upside down right in front of us if I had a photo roster I could probably name him 😊 it felt that close.
When you strap two of the most powerful engines available to a solid airframe, expect excellence.
Jus another day at the office...big respect👍👍👍
This generation of Blue Angels must have been true master pilots. The F-4 is a very fast, yet hardly nimble aircraft. Translation: when things got rough for whatever reason (wind, hydraulics, shear, whatever), the reaction time to correct ‘with finesse’ didn’t exist. The Gen 4 planes the Navy and Air Force use today are highly nimble (the F-4 is Gen 3). The F-16 was the first ‘fly by wire’ fighter that could turn on a dime. The F-4 is a monster of power and is famous for its climb rate and ceiling (it reached space at +90,000 feet on one of the first flights - in the 60’s!!!). Again, they had to be master pilots and I’m proud to have them flying - even though they were Navy. Lol. Go Air Force!!! (Former F-16 pilot, 1986-1996).
USN, 68-74, ETR-2, maintained GCA RADAR and TACAN, NAS Miramar, 70-74. The F-4 Angels were at an air show one of those years, MAN I could not believe some of the stuff they did!! I am 75
Dont forget, even the pros mess up sometimes.
When your life daily hangs in the balance and you’re painfully aware of how dangerous your occupation is, you are very aware of Who to thank for miracles such as these.
Glad u guys r flying f 18s now
I approve of his use of "the big guy"
one of my dads good friends was is a blue angel mid air collision luckily he survived
Your always Rocking love blue Angles ❤❤❤
I wanted to say Thank you to all of you guys that are out there flaying these planes every single day and going to the air show's and performing. You guys are the best. Love all of you and stay safe out there.
Those F-4's were beasts! 🇺🇸
On reflection, was the F4 a good choice for team aerobatics? 😆
The Thunderbirds flew them for a very long time
@@panzerlieb they did, lack of anything else may have been a reason?
Better than a Thud though!
That shows the toughness of the F4.
My home town!
A nice clean F-4 might be the most beautiful aircraft ever built.
I have never heard that story. 😮😮 Gwen Hall Davis
only the best pilot can enter the Blue Angels 👍🙏
FLY NAVY!🇺🇸
People see this guy every day and probably think he’s just some regular old Joe Schmo.
“Hey old man, you ever do anything cool when you were young?”
“Well…when I was in the United States Navy, I flew fighter jets, then I was an instructor pilot. Then I flew as lead plane with the US Navy’s Blue Angels. You ever hear of the Blue Angels?”
I ❤❤ the F-4 FANTOM .
AMEN!
Respect
The real take away here is that problems are all relative. What might be just a minor hiccup at work for you may be a pants filling OMFG shriekfest for others. Conversely, recognizing the difference between dramatic and merely dangerous can make the difference in sleeping in your own bed that night.
What a bad ass
The Grace of SANTA 🎅🏿
Oooooooo the F4 s sweet
🙏🙏🙏
I just assumed the Blue Angels were always Hornets…
Why did they have the Aim7s loaded? I know they're probably disarmed / unloaded but the last shot looks like the bottom of a Blue Angels phantom with the Aim7s on
I'm curious about whether his stabilator somehow actually pulled out the face-curtain rings, or caused the seat to depart the jet without firing. Does anybody know?
Wow
F-4 PHANTOM ,❤
I know there's a video of this.
😮😮
remember to plug it in
#❤
If it wasn’t a F4 they would probably not be here
EL CENTRO MENTIONED WTF IS RAIN
Tough bird
❤ ❤❤🇺🇸🇵🇭
Find me a better CZcams channel. I don't think you can.
Thank you!!
Did they both died?
HAD NO BUSINESS COLLIDING!
That was just the wrong thing to do 😐
That's why planes are complete in and of themselves and should always maintain a safe buffer space between so as to avoid all unnecessary mid-air contact!
@heretoserve5023
but then no baby planes :(
Glad you shared your story.
There are no atheists in cockpits either.
AVIATORS are better than PILOTS.
Sorry, USAF: Pilots don't HAVE TO land on a bobbing cork in the middle of the night in a hurricane. Brownshoes gotta do that ... routinely!
🪶💬
The F-4 Fantom wasn't the best manovering plane.
Ok so why train in a f-4 if your gonna fly a f-18
Try not to "be" ignorant. This was long, LONG before the F-18 was born
@@fourfortyroadrunner6701 stupid it literally say blue angles
@@kevinperkins8397 The Blue Angels have been around since 1946. The F/A-18 is not the only aircraft they’ve flown.
“…the grace of the big guy.” was an ignorant and arrogant statement.
What he should’ve said: the almighty omnipotent merciful God.
The big guy? Joe Biden saved you?
Videos or it didn’t happen
Joe Biden was involved with this?
You had me till you said thanks to the big guy. There are 3,000 children will die today and every day from a lack of food water or shot of penicillin safely. Your training and luck had a lot to do with it. Many of your fellow Blue Angels have had mid-air occasions and so did the big guy not give a s***about their lives and their families.
Did you know L/Col Kevin O’Meara? (F-4 guy)
These clowns don’t even engage in combat.