The Blue Angels

Over 75 years of aviation excellence

In 1946, Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Chief of Naval Operations, had a vision to create a flight team in order to raise the public’s interest in naval aviation and increase the Navy’s morale. In the 1940’s, they thrilled audiences with precision combat maneuvers in the F6 Hellcat, the F8 Bearcat and the F9 Panther. During the 1950’s, The Blue Angels refined their demonstration with aerobatic maneuvers in the F9 Cougar and F-11 Tiger and introduced the first six-plane delta formation, still flown to this day! By the end of the 1960’s, they had switched to flying the F-4 Phantom, the only two seat aircraft flown by the delta formation. In 1974, they transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk, a smaller and lighter aircraft with a tighter turning radius allowing for a more dynamic flight demonstration. In 1986, they celebrated 40 years by unveiling the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet. In 2021, they transitioned to the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and celebrated 75 years of service.

The Blue Angel’s Educator’s Guide

This companion to the film The Blue Angels helps viewers and educators use the information presented in the documentary to conduct discussion around this elite flight demonstration squadron, to inspire further exploration of the field of aerodynamics (and the vast network of careers within it), and to reflect on the passion, determination and commitment needed to acheive what seemed like an impossible goal.

See a real Blue Angel F/A-18B Hornet!

Just like all F/A-18s, the F/A-18B Hornet on display outside of the McDonnell Planetarium was manufactured here in St. Louis at McDonnell Douglas, now Boeing Defense, Space & Security. F/A-18s were developed in the 1970s in response to the U.S. military’s requirements for a lightweight fighter jet. The F/A-18B is a dual-seater, twin engine, mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft.

The Hornet on display was manufactured and delivered to the U.S. Navy in August of 1983. The B model designates it as a training aircraft. This particular aircraft was used for aerial demonstrations by the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron: the Blue Angels. The jet is a permanent loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. You can view this remarkable aircraft at the Science Center thanks to the generous support of Innoventor Engineering and The Boeing Company.

This is located outside the McDonnell Planetarium entrance!

Fly in a Simulator!

After experiencing Blue Angels in the OMNIMAX Theater, check out our Flight Simulators on the way to the McDonnell Planetarium!

Choose to experience your adventure on a motion simulator, VR Transporter, or air-to air combat simulator!