Don’t get me wrong, Hornets are cool, but there’s something about the A-4 delta wing that super aesthetically pleasing when it’s flown in tight formations.
Was this shot on film? The quality is really good, it's hard to believe this was shot in the 1980s. To someone who isn't aware the Blue Angels don't fly those planes anymore, you could show this footage and they'd think it was shot yesterday.
The blue angels are always impressive to watch. What makes this even more so is they are performing these close maneuvers in what looks like the F-4. Those things were not exactly built for percice stunts.
They were practicing over near Fort Lauderdale one year before the air show. We were working to shut down at the power plant. That particular location has a nice tall smokestack. So of course we're not working, we're just sitting around watching them as much as we can. And as they were making Maneuvers over the top of the power plant one of them had to make an Abrupt adjustment to keep from hitting the Smoke Stack. And I mean the guy almost hit the power plant Smoke Stack.
Unique_Jump_9150@reddit
Love the chicken-inspired whammy wheel BWAK BAK. Peak 80s.
OddScrod@reddit
The resolution on the undercarriage footage is so good for mid 80s
Business_Sandwich227@reddit
I had the same thought, and then I turned on the sound and was like. Oh yeah. That’s the 80s.
RedditPoster05@reddit
Yeah I was thinking there’s no way this is 1984 till I saw the planes
True-Industry-4057@reddit
A-4 Skyhawks
G_Daddy2014@reddit
I believe that is the F4 Phantom. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
ToeSniffer245@reddit (OP)
Might be a hot take, but the A-4F was the best looking plane they ever used.
Thirsty_Comment88@reddit
That's an insane take when they flew F/A-18s
spinlesspotato@reddit
Don’t get me wrong, Hornets are cool, but there’s something about the A-4 delta wing that super aesthetically pleasing when it’s flown in tight formations.
brilliantNumberOne@reddit
The A-4 is one of the best looking planes ever.
Weird_Alki@reddit
Far_Breakfast_5808@reddit
Was this shot on film? The quality is really good, it's hard to believe this was shot in the 1980s. To someone who isn't aware the Blue Angels don't fly those planes anymore, you could show this footage and they'd think it was shot yesterday.
ToeSniffer245@reddit (OP)
Yep, this was shot on film for the IMAX feature “Speed”.
APOC_V@reddit
Oh wow. I never realized they went from the F-4 to the A-4 before going to F-18. Fuel prices in the 70's hit everyone hard. Even the Navy!
Few-Badger4460@reddit
The blue angels are always impressive to watch. What makes this even more so is they are performing these close maneuvers in what looks like the F-4. Those things were not exactly built for percice stunts.
to_fire1@reddit
A-4F, not F4.
Few-Badger4460@reddit
Thank you for the correction. I wasn’t exactly sure and I was too lazy to look it up.
Important-Spring3977@reddit
Well, they do share wings, and a "-4" designation, and, yeah that's it.
GurthNada@reddit
They did have similar routine when they were flying the Phantom though. There's an amazing 1975 documentary from this era, Threshold : The Blue Angels Experience, written by Frank Herbert and narrated by Leslie Nielsen.
tidytibs@reddit
I haven't heard this song in a VERY long time. When the Blue Angels came to my area, I got to touch the SR-71. Miss those days..
PuzzleheadedTea4221@reddit
They were practicing over near Fort Lauderdale one year before the air show. We were working to shut down at the power plant. That particular location has a nice tall smokestack. So of course we're not working, we're just sitting around watching them as much as we can. And as they were making Maneuvers over the top of the power plant one of them had to make an Abrupt adjustment to keep from hitting the Smoke Stack. And I mean the guy almost hit the power plant Smoke Stack.
JBN2337C@reddit
Still miss those little jets. Such a cool shape. Quite a painful howl & whine when they started ‘em up (at least to my child ears.)
Love the F18, but the A4 was special.
Ok-Custard-583@reddit
The camera man is always the king
Weird_Alki@reddit
SCOOTERS
Aware_Barber5873@reddit
Skyhawk vibes! 👌👌