I had the privledge of chatting over the telephone with a former Golden Hawk pilot and Snowbird lead who happens to live only 1.5 hours from my place. I was surprised to learn from him that it was the Golden Hawks that pioneered the use of solos in a formation team aerobatic demo. The RCAF Golden Hawks flew from 1959-1963 all across North America. A check at Wikipedia says that the USAF Thunderbirds began using solos as late as 1962. This would seem to confirm what I was told altough I can't find anything about solos in the Blue Angel's history.
Can anyone add to this?
Introduction of Solos
The Thunderbirds had their first dual solo performance in 1962. So, it is possible that the Golden Hawks paved the way for having two solos in an air show; however, given the years the Golden Hawks flew, both the Blues and the Birds were already using a solo act in their demo.
The first Thunderbird Solo flew in 1954, during the team's second season. Maj. "Lucky" Palmgren 1954-1955 (Solo/Slot) flew the position first and later served as the Leader/Commander during 1963-1964. Palmgren was replaced by Capt. George Kevil as the Solo in 1954, who sadly became the first demonstration pilot fatality during practice at Luke AFB in December 1954.
I'm fairly certain the Blues had a Solo pilot before the Korean War. They used to have a dogfighting act during their number sometime in the late forties. I think it's safe to say the first Blues Solo pilot flew sometime between 1946-1950, although the title "Solo" may not have been used from the start...
The first Thunderbird Solo flew in 1954, during the team's second season. Maj. "Lucky" Palmgren 1954-1955 (Solo/Slot) flew the position first and later served as the Leader/Commander during 1963-1964. Palmgren was replaced by Capt. George Kevil as the Solo in 1954, who sadly became the first demonstration pilot fatality during practice at Luke AFB in December 1954.
I'm fairly certain the Blues had a Solo pilot before the Korean War. They used to have a dogfighting act during their number sometime in the late forties. I think it's safe to say the first Blues Solo pilot flew sometime between 1946-1950, although the title "Solo" may not have been used from the start...
Thanks for making that a bit clearer LD. Dual solos as opposed to 'a' solo pilot that would generally perform low altitude, high speed, sound barrier breaking passes and some aerobatics thrown in to showcase that aircrafts particular abilities.
Though the solo act had been part of the show from way back as you point out, it was nevertheless 'innovative' to have come up with the 'dual' solo act working at times with the main group and away together in opposing or mirror passes which virtually all teams do today.
A nice albeit previously unknown Canadian first.
Though the solo act had been part of the show from way back as you point out, it was nevertheless 'innovative' to have come up with the 'dual' solo act working at times with the main group and away together in opposing or mirror passes which virtually all teams do today.
A nice albeit previously unknown Canadian first.
