The History of the USAF Thunderbirds

The Thunderbirds are the Air Demonstration Squadron, of the U.S. Air Force based at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada. The Squadron tours the United States and much of the world. Officers serve a two-year assignment with the Squadron, while enlisted personnel serve three to four. Replacements must be trained for about half of the team each year, providing a constant mix of experience.

History:

6 months of training, unofficial status, on June 1, 1953 they were the 3600th Air Demonstration squadron at Luke AFB west of Phoenix. They are now officially designated the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron and were activated on Feb 13, 1967.
From 1953–1954
USAF F-84E Thunderjet
The Thunderbirds flew their debut exhibition at Luke AFB in early June 1953, and began exhibitions At Cheyenne Frontier days: Cheyenne, Wyoming. The team had flown 26 shows by August, The first
Team leader was Richard C. Catledge (1953–1954).The first plane used by the unit was the straight-
Wing,F-84G Thunderjet.
The following year the Thunderbirds performed their first overseas air show, tour of South and Central
America. They also added a permanent solo to the demonstration. In the spring of 1955, under the
Second commander,: Captain Jacksel M. Broughton.
to the swept-wing. They performed 91 air shows, and also received their first assigned support
Aircraft.
F-84F Thunderstreak
(September 1954-February 1957)

The Thunderbirds aircraft was once again changed in June 1956 to the to the F-100C Super Sabre,
This gave the team, supersonic capability.
The switch was accompanied by a move of headquarters to Nellis AB, Nevada on June 1 due to
Maintenance and difficulties of basing the F-100s at Luke, after the move they had their first
Air show: on June 23.

In 1960 a decision was made to allow the tail (vertical stabilizer) of the #4 slot plane,
Blackened, by the exhaust of the other planes; to remain black. But the stabilizer was never painted
black. The practice remained in force through the 1973 season.

In 1961 the team had to discontinue the vertical bank maneuver due to the FAA regulation,
Aerobatics that pointed the nose of the aircraft toward the crowd.

In 1962 they introduced the dual solo routines, and the Thunderbirds went on their first
European deployment in 1963, the year after disbanding of the “Skyblazers”
The team switched to the F-105 Thundercheif for a brief period,
They returned back to the F-100 in 1964 after 6 airshows, when structural failure of an F-105
In a pitch-up for landing resulted in the death of Capt. Gene Devlin at Hamilton Air Force Base.
The F-100 was judged to be more maneuverable for demonstration displays, and was retained
Through the 1968 season.

By 1967, the Thunderbirds had flown 1,000 airshows. In 1969, the squadron adopted the noisy
F-4E Phantom,
Which flew until 1973, the only time Thunderbirds would fly jets similar to the Blue
Angles, A special white paints had to be used to cover high-temperature metals and replacing the
Bare metal paint scheme of the past planes, the white scheme has been continued to the present.

In 1973 due to the oil crisis, the team only flew 6 airshows and was grounded for some time.
In 1974 they switched to the T-38 Talon.

The switch made an alteration to the fight routine, in tight turns, and also the black tail on #4
Slot plane.

In 1982, the Thunderbirds suffered a catastrophic loss, during pre-season training on January 18.
Practicing the four-plane, diamond loop, the formation impacted the ground at high speed, instantly
Killing all 4 pilots: Major Norman L. Lowery, (leader), Captain Willie Mays, Captain Joseph N.
Peterson; and Captain Mark Melancon. The cause of the crash was a mechanical problem with the
#1 Aircraft control actuator. The team’s activities were suspended for 6 months pending
Investigation Of the crashes, and review of the program.
Then re instituted using the Genera Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon.
They upgraded to the F-16C in 1992.

In their 3,000 air show was performed in 1990, and in 1991 the team went overseas to perform in
Switzerland, Poland, and Hungary. The team traveled again in 1996, visiting Romania, Bulgaria and
Slovenia. In 1996, the team participated in the Atlanta Olympics’ opening ceremonies, which were
Viewed by 3.5 billion people worldwide.

In 2005, the Thunderbirds grounded themselves pending on an investigation in a mid-air incident
During the Chicago Air & water show on August 20.
During the diamond formation slow-roll, pass, the tip of the missile rail on the right wing of the slot
(#4) aircraft contacted the left stabilator of the right (#3) aircraft. A four foot section of the missile
Rail snapped off, while the #3 aircraft sustained damage medium deep scratch.

The 2007 was Thunderbirds first visit to Europe after the September 11th attacks. During the tour
The Thunderbirds performed their first ever air show in Ireland. Despite the weather more than
100,000 people attended.

In 2009 the Thunderbirds hired their first ever Air National Guard Pilot, Lt. Col. Derek Routt as
Thunderbird #7(operations officer), and the first ever reserve pilot, Maj, Sean Gustafson, also
Joined the team as Thunderbird #4 (slot).

Early Aircraft

Republic F-84G Thunderjet
1953-1954


Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
Second aircraft in 1955, modified for team by adding smoke
Tanks and red, white, and blue drogue parachutes
Used from 1955-1956


North American F-100C Super Sabre
1956-1963



Republic F-105B Thundercheif
Only 6 shows were flown in 1964


North American F-100D
1964-1968



McDonnell F-4E Phantom II
1969-1973



Northrop T-38 Talon
1974-1981



Transition to F-16’s
General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon
1983-1991



Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (Block 32)
1992-2008

Couldn't have done it better myself... Fantastico job "Slim"

I have to say slim, Your doing a wonderful job on the Thunderbirds Myth. Great Job

Great Job Slim

The F-105 is one that I would of liked to watch!

I truly learned something today. I had no idea the Thunderbirds flew the THUDS. A truly marvelous aircraft, Must have been a site to see. Very well typed.