Blue Angel Phantoms – Details, episodes & analysis

1973 was a bleak year for the Blue Angels with exacting consequences. Three distinct incidents resulted in the destruction of six F4 Phantoms and the tragic loss of three team members, including flight leader LCDR Skip Umstead. The future seemed uncertain for the Navy’s Flight Exhibition Team, which had showcased demonstrations worldwide for the last quarter-century. However, Navy Leadership recognized the Blue Angels' significant recruiting potential and initiated a plan to reorganize the Team, aligning them more effectively with the demands of their high-performance culture.

In this episode of the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast, you'll hear from Boss Tony Less, the first appointed Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels in 1974, as they transitioned from an Exhibition Team to an official Naval Squadron. Boss Less not only delves into his personal transition within the Blue Angels but also offers valuable insights into the Team's choice of the sleeker McDonnell Douglas A4 Skyhawk as their new platform, the modifications involved in becoming a squadron, and the evolution of the flight demonstration during his tenure.

This interview, conducted over 25 years ago, is courtesy of aviation author and historian Nick Veronico, for his book "Blue Angels: A Flyby History." The captivating pictures in this presentation were provided by Jim Preston, the Blue Angels' official photographer during their initial years with the A4 Skyhawk. Video of the Skyhawk demonstration is from the archive of Boeing Images. 

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With its sleek and unusual tailless design, the Vought F7U Cutlass seemed like a perfect fit for the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels. However, as the Blues would find out, the aircraft's complex development history led to significant challenges and several near brushes with tragedy. 

In this brand new episode of the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast, you'll hear directly from RADM Edward "Whitey" Feightner, a WWII Ace and Navy test pilot, who was charged with developing the Cutlass program on the Blue Angels for the 1952 airshow season. What makes this particular interview all that more special, is that it was conducted over 25 years ago by aviation historian, Nicholas A. Veronico, who is publicly sharing this historic treasure for the first time.

Originally recorded as research for Veronico's book "The Blue Angels: A Fly-By History", Rear Admiral Feightner provides detailed insight into the Blue Angels reformation after the Korean War, the selection process for the F7U, and the painstaking task of performing aerial demonstrations with the Cutlass' faulty controls. RADM Feightner also discusses the Blues' challenges with the Grumman F9F-5 Panther and recalls his tragic final day on the Team in which pilot Buddy Rich was lost in a midair collision at NAS Corpus Christi. 

RADM Feightner's naval career spanned over 33 years, where he achieved early success flying both the F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat during WWII and earning 9 aerial victories. Post war, he became a prolific test pilot for the Navy where he was introduced to the F7U Cutlass and holds the distinction of being the only pilot to launch and recover the F7U-1 on a carrier. 

In 1952, Feightner was asked to take command of the Blue Angels and install the F7U as the Team's primary demonstration platform. Aware of the F7U's extreme limitation, Feightner was able to persuade the Navy to select the F9F Panther instead and reserve the Cutlass as a solo act. This resulted in Roy "Butch" Voris, the Team's first flight leader, to return and take point and allow Feightner to focus on the F7U. 

The airshow season was plagued by technical problems including a loss of flight controls on several occasions. With increased strain on maintenance and growing safety concerns, the Blue Angels canceled the F7U program after 7 months. 

RADM Feightner retired in 1974 and passed away on April 1, 2020 at the age 100.  

Special thanks to Nick Veronico for sharing this cassette tape with the Blue Angel Phantoms YouTube Channel.  

The interview featured within this video is protected by copyright owned by Nicholas A. Veronico. Any unauthorised reproduction, distribution, or public display of this interview or any part thereof is strictly prohibited without written consent from Mr. Veronico. © 2023 Nicholas A. Veronico

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Lt. Brian Abe is the current Maintenance Officer (MO) for the United States Navy Blue Angels.  

In this episode of the podcast, Lt. Abe shares insights into his 22 year naval career and gives a breakdown of the 2020 airshow season.  Key topics covered include the impact of COVID-19 on the Blue Angels schedule, the team's salute to frontline medical workers during Operation America Strong, the transition to the F-18 Super Hornet, Fat Albert, and much more.  

Interview conducted by Ryan Nothhaft as part of the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast & YouTube channel.  Available on all major podcast networks.  

Please subscribe the the Blue Angel Phantoms YouTube Channel.  Link below.  

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It's been two months since I last published an episode of the podcast so I thought this was the perfect time to catch up and let you know what has been going on behind the scenes as well as share the story of the recently published short documentary about the 1982 Blue Angels team that I published on the Blue Angel Phantoms YouTube channel.  

Don't worry, there will be more interviews of former Blue Angel pilots and crew in future episodes! 

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Dr. Gary Mullen was the Flight Surgeon for the United States Navy Blue Angels during the 2003 & 2004 air show seasons.  

On this episode of the Podcast, Dr. Mullen details his unexpected path to the Navy, rushing and joining the Blue Angels organization, and providing constructive feedback to the best naval aviators in the business.    

Prominently featured in the documentary series "Blue Angels: A Year in the Life", Doc Mullen recalls his experience working with the film crew and gives insights into one of the most challenging moments captured on film when he had to make a medical recommendation that had a lasting impact on the 2004 air show season.  

Doc Mullen also shares his experience working with Boss Russ Bartlett, the solo pilots trying to make him sick while flying in the back of the F/18 Hornet, and learning that the team suffered an ejection just weeks following his last day on the team.  

For more interviews, make sure to subscribe to the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast on your favorite podcast app and also subscribe to the Blue Angel Phantoms YouTube channel.

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Ron Rentfrow was the official photographer assigned to the Blue Angels from 1970 to 1973.  During this episode of the podcast, Ron shares insights behind some of the most iconic moments during the F4 era of the Blue Angels, including the team's visits to Panama, Ecuador, and Hawaii.  He also shares his experience documenting some of the more terrifying moments during his tenure, including multiple pilot ejections. Ron also provides his perspective of what it was like to work with team leaders Harley Hall, Don Bentley, and Skip Umstead, as well as pilots Jim Maslowski, JD Davis, and Ernie Christensen. Finally, Ron discusses the unfortunate events that took place at Lakehurst, NJ in the Summer of 1973 that led to the Blue Angels premature end of flying the F4 Phantom.  

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George Dom is the former leader of the United States Navy Blue Angels and served on the team during the 1997 and 1998 air show seasons.  

During this episode, Boss Dom shares how his father motivated him to join the Navy, details his early deployments, and provides insights into the application process to become commanding officer of the Blue Angels.  Boss Dom also gives a behind the scenes look into how the team brought back the diamond landing for the 1998 season, and tells some hilarious stories about a few unannounced fly overs.  

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Denny Sapp is a former Blue Angels solo pilot and served on the team for the 1975 and 1976 air show seasons.  

Born in Iowa, Denny graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1968 and joined the US Navy and received his wings in 1969. He made 3 deployments to Vietnam compiling 367 combat missions and receiving numerous personal decorations. Sapp then was assigned duties as a test and evaluation pilot at Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California. From there he was selected as a member of the Blue Angels based in Pensacola, Florida where he flew as a solo demonstration pilot. Following this he was assigned to USS Eisenhower. Leaving active duty, he affiliated with the US Naval Reserves and became the commander of an F-18 squadron based in Point Mugu, California. Sapp retired from the Navy after 23 years' service with the rank of Captain (0-6). In civilian employment, he flew for Western Air Lines, Alaska Air Lines, and Delta Air Lines, where he retired as a Captain flying Boeing 767 out of JFK airport, New York.

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Doug Hill was the Blue Angels Maintenance Officer during the 1983 & 1984 air show seasons. On this episode of the podcast, Doug details his early career in the Navy as well as the incredible transformation he underwent in order to be considered for the Blue Angels.  Doug also shares stories from his time on the team, including the requirements to maintain the A4 Skyhawk, riding in the back of Fat Albert, and the interesting people he met along the way.    

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David Kent was a crew chief for the United States Navy Blue Angels during the 1969 air show season.  1969 was the first year that the Blue Angels flew the F4 Phantom, where David worked on the #3 jet piloted by Ernie Christensen. 

During this interview, David discusses his humble beginnings in Vermont where he attended a one room school house and would eventually develop an interest in aviation after seeing a poster of Charles Lindbergh. He was later drafted in the Army but ended up enlisting in the Navy, where he was assigned to NAS El Centro during the heart of the Vietnam War.  Through a chance encounter with Blue Angels Boss, Bill Wheat, David would eventually be assigned to the Blue Angels.  

David shares his recollections of the team's transition from the F-11 Tiger to the F4 Phantom and the challenges that ensured.  He also details the responsibilities of a Blue Angels crew chief and what it is like to fly in the back of an F4 Phantom.  

David also provides insight on what it was like to work for Boss Bill Wheat and pilot Ernie Christensen. 

After his career on the Blue Angels, David eventually became a pilot and captain for United Airlines, where he would have a chance encounter with the Blue Angels delta formation at 30,000 feet.

1969 Blue Angels Team:

1. CDR Bill Wheat
2. Capt Vince Donile, USMC
3. LT Ernie Christensen
4. LT Rick Millson
5. LT John Allen
6. LT Steve Shoemaker
7. LT Rick Adams
8. LT Dick Schram
MO LCDR Bud Jourden
Doc LT Jim Linville
AO LT Mary Russell
SUPO CW02 Bill Thornhill

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