US NAVY Flight Demonstration Aerobatic Display Teams

The air demonstrations performed by the US Navy lead their beginning from 1912. In this year pilots from the Navy imitate air fight during the aviation celebrations. After the end of World War I air shows in United States begin again, reaching their culmination in November 1918 when about 200 airplanes participate in air feast in San Diego.

Three Sea Hawks

US Navy remains without an aerobatic team since 1927 when with the help of US Marine officer Lt. D. W. Tomlinson the first official US Naval aerobatic team is created from VB-2B squadron at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego. This team performs its first demonstration in January 1928, flying on three Boeing F2B-1 and F2B-2 fighters in San Francisco. Because of their risky performance the people called them Suicide Trio. Soon they receive their official name - Three Sea Hawks. Under this name their first public performance is on 8-16 Sep 1928, during National Air Races week at Mines Field (now Los Angelis International Airport). The Boeing F2B-1 was unable to fly inverted without engine quitting and Lt. Tomlinson fix this problem modifying the carburetors, enabling plane to fly inverted until it lose oil pressure. At the end of 1929 the team pilots receives their new assignment, so the Three Sea Hawks team is disbanded.

High Hatters

At the end of 1920's the High Hatters team is formed from VF-1B squadron, which is based on USS Saratoga carrier. This team flies with three Boeing F2B-1 planes, while on some displays their planes are tied with ropes, during all air display. High Hatters displayed mostly at West Coast of USA. At the beginning of 1930 the team is disbanded.

Three Flying Fish

In the spring of 1930 by the direction of ADM Moffett is founded Three Flying Fish display team from Tactical Section of Naval Flight Test Group at NAS Anacostia. They flies on Curtiss F6C-4 planes and performed mostly at East Coast of USA. One of the team pilots is former member of Three Sea Hawks team. On 15 April 1931 the team is disbanded.

Three Gallant Souls Curtiss F6C-4

Three Gallant Souls

Three Gallant Souls aerobatic display team is formed in 1929 from 5th Training Squadron at NAS Pensacola. They begin to fly with Curtiss F6C-4, but in 1930 transited to Boeing F4B-1 planes. In 1931 till its disbandment, Three Gallant Souls flies with Boeing F2B-1 planes.

Three Sea Hawks (fron left to right):

LTJG W.V Davis, LT 'Tommy' Tomlinson

and LTJG A.P Storrs III

Three Gallant Souls Boeing F4B-1

Three Gallant Souls Boeing F2B-1

Gray Angels

In 1948 is created Gray Angels flying with three FH-1 Phantom jets. The team is formed by three Rear Admirals and after some displays, at the end of that year is disbanded.

Marine Phantoms

At the early of 1949 from Marine Corps Squadron VMF-122 at Cherry Point is established another aerobatic display team flying with five McDonell FH-1 Phantom planes, which are painted in sea blue with yellow trims. It's called Marine Phantoms and exists till 1950.

Gray Angels (fron left to right):

Rear Admirals Edgar Cruise,

Daniel Gallery and Apollo Soucek

Albino Angels

At the end of Korean War, is formed the Albino Angels aerobatic team, which flies with four standart painting A-4D Skyhawk from VA-113 Squadron. The initiator of the team is former Blue Angels leader CDR "Zeke" Cormier. First display of the team is on 9, 10 Aug 1957 at NAS Miramar. After these two displays the team is disbanded.

Air Barons

In June 1958 from VF-725 stationed at NAS Glenview, is established Air Barons aerobatic team. The team main role is to represent the Naval Air Reserve. At the beginning the team flies with F9F-6 Cougar, later with FJ-4B Fury and AF-1E. In July 1964 they designated to RAW-72 Squadron and start to fly with six A-4B Skyhawk. In 1967 Air Barons made its foreign debut at Canadian International Air Show.

In November 1968 the team receives a statute of official flight demonstration team.

In May 1970 the team transit to A-4L modification, which has powerful engine and advanced electronic system, then previous A-4B. On 28 June this year, during after display landing, leader plane blow its main gear tire. The plane rolled the full length of the runway, and skidded off the end, the nose gear collapsed, crunching the Skyhawk's nose very badly. Pilot Jim Mahoney (teams creator) were no injured.

At the end of 1971 the VA-209, who carries about the team at that time, is disbanded leaving the team without aircrafts or support. This puts to an end of that unique aerobatic team.

During team's 30 minutes performance, they perform air refueling, right in front of the public. Pilots of the team are ex-naval pilots (pilots in reserve), which are airline pilots, school teacher, financial expert and art director of Playboy magazine. If fact Air Baron's pilots are civilian citizens, so this inspired the team's motto: "Twice a Citizen".

Air Barons A-4B Skyhawk