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Blues Historic Beach Buzz thrills thousands

R. Ken Cooper • Nov 05, 2020

Photos and videos from the F/A-18 Hornets final flight

Blue Angels smoking the beaches over Fort Morgan

(OBA®) - The U.S. Navy Blue Angels flew their final beach buzz in the F/A-18 Legacy Hornets on Wednesday. They buzzed and smoked the beaches over Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Fort Morgan before looping back to Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach on Wednesday. 


The Blue Angels have been flying these F/A-18s for 34 years. Starting today the Blues will be flying the new F/A-18E Super Hornet jets for their practices. The larger, louder, more powerful and more maneuverable Super Hornets will bring new elements to a Blue Angels performances.


The 2021 season marks 75 years of Blue Angel air shows. The U.S. Navy made the decision to transition the Blue Angels to the Super Hornets in 2018.


The Super Hornets are early production fleet aircraft transferred from Navy squadrons. These aircraft were modified and refurbished by the Boeing Company’s Cecil Field facility near Jacksonville, Florida.


Modifications include installing the smoke generation system, civilian compatible navigation equipment and cameras. The Super Hornets have been repainted to the Blue Angel’s signature blue and gold colors.

The first of the Super Hornets was delivered to Maryland’s Naval Air Station Patuxent River for flight testing and evaluation last June.

What is the difference between an F/A-18 Hornet and a Super Hornet?

The Super Hornets are about 20% larger, 7,000 lb (3,200 kg) heavier empty weight, and 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) heavier maximum weight than the F/A-18 Hornet. The Super Hornet carries 33% more jet fuel, increasing mission range by 41% and endurance by 50% over the "Legacy" Hornet.

Blue Angels Historic Flight Plan along the Alabama-Florida Gulf Coast.

Below are photos and videos captured by Blues Fans along the gulf coast beaches...

Blue Angels from below in Fort Morgan by Mac Walter




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