Warbird Information Exchange

Does anybody know if the "Blue Angel's" TV show that ran one season in 1960-61, is available on VHS or DVD?
It would be real fun to watch!
Jerry

Check these links out:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053485/

http://www.blueangels.org/History/TVShow/Sixteen.html

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

i never knew such a show existed!! what was the premise of the plot or story line??

_________________
tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

This is what it says on the page in the link:

sounds a little sappy. no wonder it hasn't made re-run reincarnation, but i'd bet the flying is cool!!

_________________
tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

I'm sure it was sappy and hokey, but I've seen clips on several Blue Angel's history documentaries. Even if it is hokey, I'd still like to locate the show.
You should hear the theme song! It's in the "fabulous sixties" style and pretty cheesey, but it sure is great to listen to.
Jerry

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

What were the Blues flying at that time? Panthers, Cougars, or Tigers? (oh my!)

SN

sounds like "Roger Ramjet"

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

They were flying F11F's in the show.
Jerry

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

It was a syndicated show (like period favorites Sea Hunt and Whirlybirds) meaning it was sold dircetly to indivdual stations rather than appearing on one of the (then) 3 networks.

Thirty-nine episodes were produced.
My book on the history of TV series doesn't have any more details than has been mentioned here, and the IMDB listing isn't much better.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

The Blues transitioned to the straight-wing Grumman F9F-2 Panther on July 13, 1949

In 1950 during the Korean conflict they were disbanded but formed then nucleus for VF191 "Satans Kittens" aboard the USS PRINCETON Flying the Panther. It was there that the Johnny Magda became the first Blue Angel killed in combat

The Blues remained in Corpus Christi until the winter of 1954, when they relocated to their present
home at NAS Pensacola. It was here they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar.

In January 1957, the team left its winter training facility at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California for a ten year period. For the next ten years, the team would winter at NAS Key West, Florida. For the 1957 show season, the Blue Angels transitioned to the supersonic Grumman F11F-1 Tiger, first flying the short-nosed, and then the long-nosed versions. The first Six-Plane Delta Maneuvers were added in the 1958 season. The Blues flew the F11F until the end of 68. Winter training 68/69 they transitioned to the F4 Phantom.

In 1960 the television program about the Blue Angels shows them flying the F9F-8 Cougar, aboard the USS Princeton.
The team had already transitioned to the F11 by then. One episode shows them in combat in Korea, but again flying the
Cougar when actually they flew its predecessor the Panther.

I cannot find footage of the TV program on the Internet TV sites i.e. IMB ............../
BUT if you go to the San Diego Air And Space Museum and search for Blue Angels Video they have posted one of the programs there. http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/research/index.php

I also found the film/video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWO4NBx37Vk

It is called "Blue Angels Land Aboard Ship" which is a name I think the museum tagged it with. I believe it is the following:

Season 1, Episode 14: The Diamond Goes to War
Original Air Date—26 December 1960

Hope you enjoy the program as much as I did, its rare, its a keeper. Use your real player to download!

Dave Kent
Blue Angel #3 Plane Capt / Crew Chief F11/F4 1968-1969
UAL 747-400 Capt Ret.
Blue Angel Alumni Assoc. Director

I remember the series being on one of the Seattle area stations. It basically was a 30 minute version of 'Route 66' with 4 irritating, nosey dorks in blue jets (F-11F's) instead of two like Route 66 had in a red CORVETTE. Even compared to 'Steve Canyon' it was pretty lame. Always flying into 'Lameville' to save/rehabilitate/ cure the local bad boy/town war hero turned drunk/kid in the well type stuff. The only actor you might remember was Don Gordon who played Steve McQueens fellow cop in the hotel lobby scenes in 'BULLITT'.

If you find it on DVD or tape, grab a stack of barf bags before you sit down and don't drink any fizzy fluids they hurt more coming back up!

_________________
Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

yes, lame is probably a good term as the story lines and the acting was not top notch. But as a Blue Angel I find the flying footage interesting. Wish I had watched the series before I joined the team in 68. The Blues inspired me to fly, still flying after 40 years which included Lears and the Boeings at UAL. Live To Fly, Fly To Live. V/R Dave Kent #3 F4 Crew Chief 68/69, Blue Angel Alumni Assoc. Director. Email accepted at: www.blueangelsalumni.org

The "full cast" listing also shows Burt Reynolds in 2 episodes and William Bryant in 2 episodes. You may not be able to picture William Bryant right away but, I'll guarantee, you've seen him in a lot of movies and TV.
I've never heard of any of the 5 "regulars".

_________________
Land of the free because of the brave