BILL PIPPIN COLLECTION
No. 7824. Grumman G-58 F8F-1 Bearcat US Navy
APS No. 4161

Grumman G-58 F8F-1 Bearcat

06/30/2008. Remarks by Bill Ewing: "This is a photo of a F8F-1 Bearcat as flown by the USN Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels. The 'Angels' first flew the Bearcat at the formation of the team in August, 1946. The following month, on September 29, they had their first fatal accident at Jacksonville NAS, Florida, when F8F-1 BuNo. 94986 and its pilot where lost during an air show.

In 1967, I was a member of the RCAF Golden Centennaires and we shared the airspace at the Abbotsford Airshow with the Blue Angels. One of their old Chiefs related this tale to me:


Created May 31, 2008