ABOARD THE U.S.S. KEARSARGE (CV33)

April 17, 1960


Sent to us by "Grandfather" Dave Scheuer from his collection.

Left to Right: LCDR Bob Clarke, LCDR Ray Hawkins, LCDR Butch Voris,
Ernest Borgnine("Honorary Flight Leader"), CDR. Zeb Knott, CDR. Ed Holley,
LCDR Dusty Rhodes, CDR Zeke Cormier
(ranks shown are those while serving with the Blues; all went on to obtain higher ranks after leaving the Team).

These are all the "Bosses (flight leaders) the Blue Angels had to date (1946-1960), except for one. LCDR. Johnny Magda was shot down and killed while serving in the Korean War in the Blues wartime counterpart (Satan's Kittens). To read more about Satan's Kittens, please see the Website History section -- Officers Point of View.

This gathering was in kick off the television series "The Blue Angels" which was produced by Sam Gallu. CDR. Zeke Cormier served as the technical advisor for this television series, some 39 episodes were filmed. --GRANDFATHER Dave Scheuer

This is not a true Blue Angel Bearcat but one done for the TV show. The crest should not appear on the engine cowl.

Found on CrazyAboutTV.com

Description:
The Blue Angels TV show was an action series about four flyers who, together, comprised the U.S. Navy's precision flying team. In addition to showing their "on duty" flying abilities, the show also delved into their "off duty" adventures. They would help people in need, stop traitors from harming our freedoms and otherwise put a stop to evil-doers.

Cast:
Dennis Cross ............ Commander Arthur Richards
Morgan Jones ............ Commander Donovan
Warner Jones ............ Captain Wilber Scott
Don Gordon .............. Lieutenant Hank Bertelli
Mike Galloway ........... Lieutenant Russ MacDonald

Trivia:

Burt Reynolds appeared on three episodes of this series! If you don't remember Burt from this series, maybe you're more familiar with his movie roles or his starring role on the TV series, "B.L. Stryker http://www.crazyabouttv.com/blstryker.html (1989)". Or if your memory is really good (and you're old enought), you might remember his role as Quint Asper, the Blacksmith, on the series, "Gunsmoke http://www.crazyabouttv.com/gunsmoketv.html (1955)"!

The U.S. Navy co-operated in the production of this TV show and the footage of the Blue Angels flying in formation and performing their stunts was film of the actual Blue Angels flying their Grumman F11F jets!

Don Gordon was a good friend of Steve McQueen. They worked together on three films, "Bullitt (1968)", "Papillon (1973)", and "Towering Inferno, The (1974)". Don's birth name was Donald Walter Guadagno.

The Navy Department would have preferred that the show be more realistic and depict the Blue Angels as strictly Naval Officers and precision pilots. The Navy often voiced their displeasure about the more exciting parts of the show where the Blue Angels were crime busting heroes. After one such objection, the series producer, Sam Gallu stated, "How the hell does the Pentagon know what happens to a Blue when he's off duty?".

Here is a list of the 39 TV shows and the dates they were on.

Angel On Trial (9/26/1960)
The Jarheads (10/3/1960)
Blind Flight (10/10/1960)
The Hollow Of His Hand (10/17/1960)
Flying Lesson (10/24/1960)
Tiger Blood (10/31/1960)
Carrier Test (11/7/1960)
Don't Scream At A Jet (11/14/1960)
Sierra Survival - Part 1 (11/21/1960)
Sierra Survival - Part 2 (11/28/1960)
The Lebanon Incident (12/5/1960)
Fire Fight (12/12/1960)
Change Of Command (12/19/1960)
The Diamond Goes To War (12/26/1960)
Desert Witness (1/2/1961)
Walkin' The Blues (1/9/1961)
Everglades Story (1/16/1961)
Not For The Moment (1/23/1961)
Lost Cargo (1/30/1961)
The Smugglers (2/6/1961)

Alien Entry (2/13/1961)
Miami Interlude (2/20/1961)
Danger Signal (2/27/1961)
To Save A Life (3/13/1961)
Powder Puff Pilot (3/20/1961)
Benediction For Cort (4/3/1961)
Shark Package (4/10/1961)
Smokejumpers (4/17/1961)
County Fair (4/24/1961)
Meeting On The Parallel (5/1/1961)
Carrier Compromise (5/8/1961)
The Arson Case (5/15/1961)
Operation Breakout (5/22/1961)
The Duster (5/29/1961)
The Blue Leaders (6/5/1961)
Second Best (6/12/1961)
Pacific: Monteray Story (6/19/1961)
The Fifth Angel (6/26/1961)
The Sticking Season (7/3/1961)

This can be found on CrazyAboutTV.com
http://www.crazyabouttv.com/blueangels.html