Blue Angels fly the Boeing F/A -18 Super Hornet. The planes do not fly combat missions but they do perform impressive air tricks. A F/A-18 can reach top speeds of about 1,400 mph, however, for air shows they stick around 700 mph. Did you know that in 1997 Coca-Cola made special edition bottles featuring the Blue Angels for the Fort Smith airshow? There are six bottles in a pack, each with an image of Blue Angels. The front of the bottle has wings presenting the 1997 air show on September 13-14. The bottles each have Blue Angels, but some have four planes instead of just one. All the planes are blue and gold for the US navy colors. The Blue Angel’s shows were established on April 18, 1946, however, they celebrated their birthday on the day of their first performance. The first show was in Craig Field, Jacksonville, Florida on June 15, 1946. Performing mainly throughout the states till 1992 the Blue Angels went overseas for the first time in a European tour for the UK, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, and Spain. Coca-Cola advertising the Blue Angels’ airshow benefited both groups by getting recognition and prosperity. The bottle images of the planes feature their infamous smoke clouds. The smoke is non-hazardous, evaporating in the air. The smoke is an enhanced safety feature that allows solo pilots to see each other during opposing maneuvers where there are low visibility conditions. Sometimes being as little as 18 inches apart like in the diamond formation, the graceful aerobic movements are strictly regimented. Lieutenant Commander Robert Clarke invented the famous diamond formation in 1947. To maintain their ability to operate tight maneuvers in flight, pilots are required to work out 6 days of the week. They have to learn how to manage their blood flow during air tricks. Planes that fly faster than the speed of sound produce a sonic boom, despite their ability to do so, Blue Angels are not allowed to. Blue Angels headquarters was based in Corpus Christi, Texas till 1954 when they relocated to Pensacola, Florida. Angels also have a C-130 nicknamed the “Fat Albert” because of its size and shape. The flying superiority Blue Angels have is because of their demanding and rigorous work to be skilled flyers.
