Which of them is better?

Melgyver

Member since
March 2003
From: Lafayette, LA

Posted by Melgyver on Monday, June 23, 2003 12:17 AM

I've seen the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds perform many times. It's a tough call, but after seeing the A-4's hanging in formation in the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum, #@*n those guys fly close together! I think the dark paint scheme helps too. The Thunderbirds could be just as close but the white paint merges with the sky and they don't look as close together. I vaguely remember seeing the Blues in the F-11's in the late 50's and I did see them fly the F-4C's once in 1967 I believe. I somehow missed the Thunderbird F-4's. As far as the Flight Suits go, it's just "flash" and "PR", it's the person in them that counts, and the ground crews.

Clear Left!

Mel

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fuzzy

Member since
May 2003
From: Lewisburg , Tenn

Posted by fuzzy on Sunday, June 22, 2003 10:30 PM

I'd have to say the Blue Angels. They sure put on a
show with the A-4 ! Big Smile [:D]

fuzzy

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therriman

Member since
January 2003
From: Central MI

Posted by therriman on Sunday, June 22, 2003 9:07 PM

As a biased 9 yr navy vet, I say Blue Angels with out a doubt.

I saw them here in Flint, MI in 1979 and 1980 (they were still in A-4's then). Just awsome!!!

Tim H. "If your alone and you meet a Zero, run like hell. Your outnumbered" Capt Joe Foss, Guadalcanal 1942 Real Trucks have 18 wheels. Anything less is just a Toy! I am in shape. Hey, Round is a shape! Reality is a concept not yet proven.

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BlackWolf3945

Member since
December 2002
From: Pominville, NY

Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Sunday, June 22, 2003 6:12 PM

Jets, you're one lucky dawg to have seen them both in F-4's. I think I vaguely recall seeing the T-Birds when they were flying the Talons, but I mostly remember the F-16's. I was fortunate to see the Blues in A-4's three times. I like the F-18's, but the A-4 was a natural show bird.

I'd really like to see the Frecce Tricolori someday. And the Patrouille de France, Patrouille Swiss, Reds, Turkish Stars, the Russian teams... The list goes on.

One team that I had wanted to see but no longer have much desire for is Blue Impulse. I really wanted to see them in T-2's. Great lookin' jets and awesome paintjobs. Those T-4's are kinda boring, y'know? Especially the paint. I'm sure they still put on a good show, tho.

Fade to Black...

Steve O. Reno Check Out My Photo Sets on Flickr

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U-96

Member since
February 2003
From: United Kingdom

Posted by U-96 on Saturday, June 21, 2003 3:05 PM

hey JGUIGNARD, the Royal Jordanian Falcons fly Extra 300s. If you ever get the chance to see them, do so. Of all the programmes I've seen, theirs was without a doubt the best choreographed and most intense.

On the other hand, the most impressive thing I've seen at an airshow was Fairford '98(?) when the BAe Eurofighter finished the show by pulling a 90deg climb on afterburner to vanishing point. The thing just went straight up and disappeared. Incredible. And that was on the lo-spec engines LOL Cool [8D]

On the bench: 1/35 Dragon Sturmpanzer Late Recent: Academy 1/48 Bf-109D (Nov 06) Academy 1/72 A-37 (Oct 06) Revell 1/72 Merkava III (Aug 06) Italeri 1/35 T-26 (Aug 06)

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wayne baker

Member since
February 2003
From: Medina, Ohio

Posted by wayne baker on Saturday, June 21, 2003 1:11 PM

The MAPS airshow is going on this weekend in Akron, Oh. The paper says it's the third largest show in the state. there are several individual and team performers here, including an A10 team. Luckily, my camera has been in the repair shop for the last 3 months. I get it back next week. They have a B17 they are giving rides on at $400 a pop. Blackwolfscd, I've got a couple of shots of Angel's F11, lots of A4's and some F18's. What do you like about Fat Albert? the RATO?

I may get so drunk, I have to crawl home. But dammit, I'll crawl like a Marine.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 21, 2003 10:45 AM

The civilian aerobatics teams (and singles) are great. I've seen LL (T-34s) the French Connection (Pitts?) plus others and some single performers in Su-26, Pitts

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JGUIGNARD

Member since
March 2003
From: USA

Posted by JGUIGNARD on Saturday, June 21, 2003 10:33 AM

I thoroughly enjoy seeing both the T-Birds and Blues fly - makes me feel proud to see them representing the U.S.A. as they do.

BUT

What I REALLY dig are aerobatics done in a Pitts, Extra, Zlin, etc.

I am partial to propellor-driven airplanes.
If only the Blues were flying F8F's and the T-Birds P-51's, P-47's or P-38's.....

Jim

Most of us are acquainted with at least one "know-it-all". He may be as close as the mirror. [}:)]

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mostlyjets

Member since
March 2003
From: Poway, Ca.

Posted by mostlyjets on Friday, June 20, 2003 9:10 PM

I've seen them both, and much prefer the Blue Angels(Tighter, lower, faster, etc.) blackwolfscd, I've also seen BOTH teams fly the F-4's. I think I still have the scar on my jaw when it dropped to the deck! WOW! HOLY CRAP! etc...but then, you can't beat the 720 degree/sec roll rate of the A-4's! And besides, ANYONE can fly fat, dumb and happy and receive gas through a tube! Stab at that basket!(My $0.02)

All out of Snakes and Nape, switching to guns...

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 20, 2003 5:58 PM

Hey Blackwolf,
I saw the Blues when they were flying the F11F Tiger in 1960, only problem I was 4 years old and don't remember. But I do have very faded home movies in 8mm my Dad took.

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BlackWolf3945

Member since
December 2002
From: Pominville, NY

Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Friday, June 20, 2003 5:13 PM

Hmmm....

So far, we Blues fans are in the vast majority. Anyone here ever seen them while flying F-4's? I'd love to see photos of Blues Phantoms, only have about a dozen or so.

Fade to Black...

Steve O. Reno Check Out My Photo Sets on Flickr

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 20, 2003 4:28 PM

THE BLUE ANGELS ARE BY FAR THE BEST!!!

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Buddho

Member since
March 2003
From: Newport News VA

Posted by Buddho on Friday, June 20, 2003 3:52 PM

I agree with many on here. I Have seen both fly but have been more impressed with the Blues...what a show!

Regards, Dan

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BlackWolf3945

Member since
December 2002
From: Pominville, NY

Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Friday, June 20, 2003 3:49 PM

Having picked my fave from the two choices given, I have to say that the craziest show I've seen was by the Brazilian team, Esquadrilha Da Fumaca (The Smoke Squadron), which was flying Tucanos.

These guys were freakin' nuts! Of course, there's things you can do only in a turbo-prop!! Tongue [:P]

Here's a couple links, the first one is the official EDF site:

http://www.fab.mil.br/acms/clientes/maer/eda/index1.htm

http://highway.com.br/users/valladares/

Fade to Black...

Steve O. Reno Check Out My Photo Sets on Flickr

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 20, 2003 10:06 AM

The Angels, hands down. Yeah the Thunderbirds are good but like others have said "faster, tighter, lower." Watching the T-birds for the first time I expected a lot "crazier" stuff from F-16s. The Angels are pure excitement.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 20, 2003 10:00 AM

How about this?....They are all better than us. lol

But can they bash a kit as good as us?????

happy modeling

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gregers

Member since
February 2003
From: UK

Posted by gregers on Friday, June 20, 2003 9:01 AM

Hi Merideth Try having a looksee at the red arrows flight suits theyr'e cool uniforms but the best is that of the battle of britain memorial flight (Black flightsuits with unit badge )....Gregers

Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?

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U-96

Member since
February 2003
From: United Kingdom

Posted by U-96 on Friday, June 20, 2003 6:38 AM

Although I'm British, without a doubt the best display I've seen in recent years is the Royal Jordanian Falcons. Their extended programme at RIAT last year was breathtaking.

On the bench: 1/35 Dragon Sturmpanzer Late Recent: Academy 1/48 Bf-109D (Nov 06) Academy 1/72 A-37 (Oct 06) Revell 1/72 Merkava III (Aug 06) Italeri 1/35 T-26 (Aug 06)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 20, 2003 6:22 AM

The only answer to this question is -none of the above.
It's the Red Arrows!
At a UK airshow ,the last two acts are always the BBMF and the Arrows because after their displays the crowd leaves anyway !
http://www.sky-flash.com/reds.htm

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renarts

Member since
April 2003
From: Sunny Florida

Posted by renarts on Thursday, June 19, 2003 4:31 PM

Leave it to a woman to base it on a fashion statement......

I'm kidding Meredith ;-)

Blue Angels

Mike

Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 19, 2003 4:22 PM

Here's a woman's perspective on the question:

I've seen them both perform and thought they were both FANTASTIC.

But the poor T-birds have to wear the dorkiest uniforms ever. Look at poor Lt. Col. McSpadden

Now look at cool Lt. Cmdr. Varner

Hey, sometimes this is what it comes down to.

Merideth

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 19, 2003 3:02 PM

The Blues hands down. I have seen them both and the Blue Angels were more impressive, lower, tighter, faster.

P.S. Any one seen a Thunderbird pilot trap?

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coldwar68

Member since
February 2003
From: Zanesville, OH USA

Posted by coldwar68 on Thursday, June 19, 2003 2:53 PM

OK, I guess I have to throw my biased vote in...Thunderbirds. I have not had the opportunity to see either of them. Something always came up when I was going to have the chance. Truth be told, I am partial to prop-driven planes myself. Big Smile [:D]

Jerry

I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it. -Jack Handy

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wayne baker

Member since
February 2003
From: Medina, Ohio

Posted by wayne baker on Thursday, June 19, 2003 1:24 PM

The Blues were the first demo team I saw live when they visited MCAS Cherry Point in 68. I've seen both several times at Cleveland since. I like the Blues. The fact a Marine flies with them is much better. That I worked on the original Fat Albert when it was in squadron service finishes it.

I may get so drunk, I have to crawl home. But dammit, I'll crawl like a Marine.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 19, 2003 12:45 PM

Ray,
The fact that I'm ex-Navy does influence my vote, though. Blue Angels all the way! And yes, I have seen them both perform. Angels can outfly the Thunderbirds every time.

demono69

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Ray Marotta

Member since
December 2002
From: Lyons Colorado, USA

Posted by Ray Marotta on Thursday, June 19, 2003 12:30 PM

The Thunderbirds themselves have said the Blues fly a tighter formation and bring it closer to the ground but, they blame it on "that carrier mentality" I've seen
both teams many times and the Blue Angels do put on a better show.
Last year, at San Francisco's Fleet Week one of the Blue's solo pilots took his
"bug" under the Golden Gate Bridge low enough and fast enough to kick up rooster tails of spray. The fact that I'm ex-Navy has nothing to do with my vote, however.
Ray

]

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Thursday, June 19, 2003 11:39 AM

I have seen the Blue Angels as well as the Thunderbirds demonstrations numerious times. Both are very good and to try to pick the best is not possible. Each has their own style that sets them apart from each other. All I can say is each team proudly represents their branch of service.

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

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gregers

Member since
February 2003
From: UK

Posted by gregers on Thursday, June 19, 2003 10:30 AM

I have never seen either of them live but i have a video with both teams on and they are both great teams with fantastic displays, theyr'e NEARLY as good as the Red Arrows...LoL...Greg

Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?

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BlackWolf3945

Member since
December 2002
From: Pominville, NY

Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Thursday, June 19, 2003 10:27 AM

Gotta love loaded questions! It all comes down to personal preference. I prefer the Blues. They seem to fly a bit tighter diamond than the T-Birds; and of all the times I've seen both teams it's just a whole lot more exciting when the Blues are in the air. It was a REALLY great show when they were still flying the Scooter, or should I say Super Fox? LOL Can't place it exactly... I just like the the Blues. Although, I like demo teams in general...

But one thing clinches it for the Blues in my mind, and I can sum it up in two words.

FAT ALBERT!!!!! Tongue [:P]