Blue Angels Pilot: Robert "Bob" Rasmussen | 1957 - 1959
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- Robert "Bob" Rasmussen is a retired United States Navy Captain and former pilot of the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team where he served from 1957 to 1959. His tenure with the Blue Angels was marked by a number of historical milestones including the team's transition from the Grumman F9F Cougar to the F11 Tiger.
Upon joining the Blue Angels, Rasmussen was originally selected to fly as a solo pilot, however, due to the unfortunate passing of Capt Charles Hollaway in an accident, the team reassigned him to fly #2 Right Wing for the 1957 air show season.
The Blue Angels began the 1957 season flying the F9F-8 Cougar, however, the decision was made to to transition to the F-11 Tiger at the beginning of the year so that the team could take advantage of its sleek design and afterburner capabilities. During the transition process, Rasmussen, known for his artistic capabilities, was asked to modernize the paint design for the six new jets. Leveraging the existing design, Rasmussen added stripes to each side of the canopy, an arrow on the bottom of the fuselage, repositioned the crest under the cockpit, and adjusted the font of the word "Blue Angels" to be in script lettering. The paint scheme has lasted the test of time and is still the livery for today's team.
With the unique challenge of transitioning aircraft mid-season, the Blue Angels practiced with the F-11 Tigers during the week and flew air shows with the Cougars on weekends. The team completed their transition to the F-11 and flew their first show at Barin Field near Pensacola on March 23, 1957.
At the conclusion of his first season with the team, Rasmussen moved to the #4 Slot position where he encountered an engine malfunction while on a test flight and made the first successful "engine out" landing in an F-11.
Rasmussen attributes the success of his time on the Blue Angels to his teammates and the dynamic that existed between them, including Herb Hunter, who was also his brother-in-law. Sadly, Herb Hunter was lost during the Vietnam War after taking hostile fire to his aircraft and failing to land aboard the USS Oriskany on July 19, 1967.
Captain Rasmussen's total active duty lasted from October 1951 to July 1983 with 5,000 flight hours and 600 carrier landings. At the conclusion of his naval service, Rasmussen accepted a position at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, where he oversaw the museum's expansion and operations for over two and a half decades. He was inducted into the Naval Aviation Hal of Honor in 2008.
Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
Filmed by Brian L. Butler Creative
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
The Blue Angels Association
Laura Bogan
Clark Merritt
Eric Rasmussen
Perry Hunter
John Miller
Nicholas A. Veronico, Author of The Blue Angels: A Fly-By History
VISUAL RESOURCES:
1957 F11 color footage: Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation | Produced by Gordon Knox for the Princeton Film Center
1957 F9F Cougar color footage: From the private collection of the Blue Angel Phantoms CZcams Channel
1957 F9F Cougar black & white footage: From the TV show "You Asked for It"
BLUE ANGELS 1957
1. CDR Ed Holley
2. LT Bob Rasmussen
3. LT "Lefty" Schwartz
4. LT Nello Pierozzi
5. 1stLt Tom Jefferson, USMC
6. LT Herb Hunter
7. LT Bruce Bagwell
7. LT Mark Perrault
MO LCDR Harry Sonner
MO LCDR Willard Oleson
Doc LCDR R E Luehrs
BLUE ANGELS 1958
1. CDR Ed Holley
2. Capt Stoney Mayock, USMC
3. LT Herb Hunter
4. LT Bob Rasmussen
5. LT Jack Dewenter
6. LT John Demeiller
7. LT Mark Perrault
CDR Nick Glasgow
MO LCDR Bill Oleson
BLUE ANGELS 1959
1. CDR Zeb Knott
2. Capt Stoney Mayock, USMC
3. LT Herb Hunter
4. LT Bob Rasmussen
5. LCDR Jack Dewenter
6. LT John Demeiller
7. LT Mark Perrault
LT Don McKee
MO LCDR Jack Reavis
#blueangels #f11tiger #militaryaviation
I was an Ensign at VT-10 (in early 1983) when CAPT Rasmussen showed up in the ready room and called my name out. He said my pilot was out and he was going to be my instructor pilot that day. He asked if I was ready for the pre-brief, and off we went. It was a great flight (T2-C), and I swear I remember him doing a wing over at the initial approach fix. What a great man. (I think he drove a convertible Karmann Ghia back in the day) 🇺🇸
Awesome story!!👍
Bob, My family lived across from your mom and dad in Oxnard California. Your dad spent alot of time with me. He was an incredible man and a WW1 veteran. When I was in third grade I had a chance to talk to you about your time as a Blue Angel during the mid-60s. I always remembered our time together. I am now an engineer on the WAAS satellite navigation program used in commercial aviation. Thanks for the great memories.
Thanks Ryan, very few of the pre phantom pilots remain. To think you couldn't fly off a deck if something went wrong has to be the worst. Yet they flew everyday. 600 landings and he lived to tell the story tells you how skilled a pilot he is.
Captain Rasmussen was the C.O. of Naval Aviation Schools Command when I was going through NACCS and came to our graduation...He spoke to each one of us personally during his inspection of our class...
I flew in the back seat of a T2 with Capt Bob one day for a fun ride back in 1982 while I was in NFO training
Bob Rasmussen is one of my favorite former Blues pilots. Watched from beginning to end. 💙🙌💛
Thank you for your service! All of you men have great talent!
I witnessed the Blue Angels flying the F11F Tiger for an airshow at Glenview Naval Air Station in the summer of 1966. At that time the support aircraft was a Lockheed C-121J, Super Constellation. Terrific video of Captain Rasmussen recalling his early flying naval career and his time with the Blue Angels. Thanks for sharing!
Commander Almack that was #1 just after this, has his aircraft at the Grissom Air Museum. It’s the actual F11, not one painted to look like it.
Love this story and actually met Bob Rasmussen at the Naval Aviation Museum years ago.
Thank you, Ryan, for another excellent video. These men are all so humble in their presentations, just amazing! I had the honor to have LCR Dan Martin on my 737 jumpseat in 2003. His dad, captain of the flight, and I were ferrying the plane to Cleveland Burke Lakefront for the National Air Show. The Blues were in town, so Dino’s dad repaid the favor to Dino for Dino had given his dad a ride in the #7 jet the day before. Just an amazing day!
Respect 🙏🏼👍👍🙇♂️
Bob, I know you can't possibly remember me, but one of the fathers of the Cub Scouts, in the Den I belonged to, worked for Grumman, at the Calverton Airport, and he pulled some strings, and WE got to be there, when you Pilots came out there, to do your TRANSITION from the F9F Cougars, to the F11F Tigers ! We got to see Both planes, and shake your hands, and got Cardstock Models of both planes, printed for Grumman to give as mementos, and even though we don't have them, at 73 years old, I STILL Remember getting them. When I graduated high school, i tried to join the Naval Air Reserve, but because of 'Body Measurements', I couldn't fit the Cockpit Dimensions. But I Still Love the 'BLUES', over the other Services !
Plus, i got a 'Sneak Peak' at one of them being test flown, because one of Grumman's Chief Test Pilots, a Donald Berndt Jr., would buzz My Parent's house, and his Parent's to give us a look at Grumman's Latest 'TOYS', about 100 ft. above L.I. From the Panther, to Tomcat, the Albatross, to Hawkeye, we got to see them FIRST ! (GO NAVY !)
Awesome video... God bless this gentleman.
I so regret not talking to Bob when we were at the NNAM at Pensacola when he was director. I think he was speaking to some folks and I was just nervous i think. Love all the sculptures he's done. Glad you got this interview Ryan!! My guess is, this one has been in the books for awhile to do😁 👏
Really like and appreciate these first-hand accounts/ interviews, thanks
Flying for the Blues in the 50s. Man, it just does not get any more awesome than that. Cougars and Tigers. Would've given anything.
Such a great channel, i am happy to find it :) Great work.
Thank you so much!!
First read about Mister Rasmussen regarding his time commanding VF-111 over Vietnam. Was really cool to actually hear the man talk and describe his experiences.
The F-11Tiger was the first time I saw the Blues fly.
Thank you for sharing your story, and thank you for your service! I can only imagine your response to the controller who asked you to hold for 30 minutes in a dead stick airplane!
Wow! You must have known Dale Berven that flew F9Fs off the Philippine Sea during Korea. Just listened to him on the fighter pilot podcast about an hour ago. Jets on straight deck pilots had to have bowling ball sized stones.
Indeed
My dad (Lt John Rademacher) joined the Blues in 1959. Hoping Mr. Rasmussen might have a story or two about him.
Thank you for this post.
600 carrier landings ... wow.
Ryan , enjoyed this one about Bob Rassmussen , as I do all of ypur videos . Bob flew with my friend , Stoney Mayock in the Blues , hope you can catch up with him some day and do a video with him , a really amazing guy . Great job as always Ryan , take care and best wishes to you .
Thanks so much....Shoe🇺🇸
Excellent video once again Ryan!
Good job. Very interesting. Fly Navy! I live near New Bern, N.C. MCAS Cherry Point restored an F-11A that had been lead solo Capt. (retired) Lt. Norm Gandia's aircraft. I assume he flew it during the 1967 season. It now is on display at Lawson Creek park in New Bern.
Big Salute! And thank you Sir!😎👍🏾
Very cool!
@ryannothhaft & @brianbutler. The video’s and podcasts you do are awesome. Have you or have you thought about doing one with Bill Newman or Greg Wooldridge?