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| Shana Carpool Boeing F/A-18C Hornet v2.0 at PAX, April 2020 |
Second Life Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron
SL United States Navy Blue Angels
Lord, guard and guide the ones who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky.
Be with them always in the air,
In darkening storms or sunlight fair.
Air verse from the Navy Hymn, United States Naval Academy Chaplain's Center
It is everyone's right in Second Life to live the fantasy they wish, play the part they choose. Being a Blue Angel is no exception and we have no exclusive on it - no one does. We only try to do it as well and as similar to real life as possible, and this has been and will be my choice, and it is what sets the SL United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (NFDS) Blue Angels from any other group flying similar colors.
Many, many groups exist in SL, it is what you do and how you do it that sets your group apart. In the SL United States Navy we strive to not only set it apart, but make it exceptional in every way. Existing as a SL United States Navy squadron in Third Fleet since February 14, 2016, the Blue Angels will continue their program as defined in our records (see updated version here).
A little history, for the record. Complete photo album link on the footnotes section.
Vickster Kuhn founded a Blue Angels aerobatic team in Second Life. In her own words that group was founded end of 2015. When I met her, January 9, 2016, I invited her to bring the squadron into a SL United States Navy structure (Third Fleet) and transform it from a group inspired by the Blue Angels into a SL replica of the real life navy demo squadron.
Click on image to enlarge!
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| At NAS Miramar, formal invitation to join the Fleet on the same day we met. |
The changes were implemented following my guidelines respecting all aspects of the squadron, turning it over the course of a few months from a group of unaffiliated stunt pilots into a United States Navy ambassadorship. The guidelines I brought to the table on uniforms, helmets, aircraft structural modifications, practice protocols, squadron positions, public relations, support structures, radio protocols and, most of all, air demonstration ground and air layouts were all designed to make it as close as possible to the real life demo squadron within the limitations of Second Life. But none of this would mean much without the underlying essence of a true United States Navy squadron: the U.S. Navy military culture. None of this existed before 2016.
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| The Tuckaway Cross. Before 3rd Fleet there were no solos in the demos. |
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| A coveted reward: acceptance cases and helmets given to the chosen few. |
In the following years, I was privileged to develop some of the most fulfilling projects I ever completed in Second Life, instilling the navy flavor and ethos in the every day life of the Blue Angels squadron, the apex of which was Naval Air Facility El Centro, a stand alone six regions navy facility built as a replica of the real life Blue Angels Winter home. A short lived experience that will live in our memory forever.
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| The Winter home of the Blues built in SL for them. |
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| Angel 1 over El Centro just before the expansion to 6 regions. |
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| Early stages. The facility would get more real life like still. |
There was a certain degree of opposition to this philosophy I brought to the squadron. Some saw no use for strategic planning and favored a not much talk and fly only view common to more loosely disciplined groups; some believed we should not follow real life directives and return to the flying circus days; some would prefer not to be in the SL USN at all and have only a flight suit to wear instead of a complete U.S. Navy wardrobe; some wanted the freedom to fly for other aerobatic groups outside the U.S. Navy... The list is long. Had any of those things happened there would be no point in keeping the squadron as the ambassadorship of the United States Navy in this virtual world.
You see, representing the Blue Angels in SL is not just about performing for 45 minutes, it's mainly about everything else. And that's what makes every air show really special.
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| Inspecting the squadron assignments for a new season. |
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| The Blues get their orders for the 2017 Season. |
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| From ground to air and back, a real life performance standard. |
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| Fat Albert Airlines becomes part of the demo. |
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| Briefings, debriefings, safeties. A culture of excellence. |
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| Attention to detail. The key to a clean performance. |
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| Practice is 90% ground work 10% flying. |
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| Hundreds of hours of practice, 45 minutes of air show. |
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| Smoke check on preflight, a real life procedure turned second life tradition. |
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| On the ground as in the air, the same accuracy and detail. |
When the Blues joined the SL United States Navy, the aircraft in use was the Shana Aircraft Grumman F9F-8T Cougar two seat used in the late 1950's by the real life Blue Angels. There was no single seat version available. The livery on the aircraft was roughly similar to one of the real life planes but as a whole, the aircraft had a completely different livery in use when it flew with the squadron. Even the tail numbers were a double digit set up, showing "01" in a random font. In collaboration with Shana Carpool I provided the accurate livery and made the necessary structural changes to make the two seat look more like the planes used in real life, and keeping in mind the single seat Cougar would be available soon.
Click on images to enlarge!
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| Historical accuracy was systematically instilled in the group since 2016. |
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| Pitot tube removed, historic livery applied. All we needed was the F9F-6. |
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| April 2016, the squadron new set up presentation at Miramar. |
As soon as the Shana Aircraft Grumman F9F-6 Cougar single seat was launched the squadron immediately transitioned to it keeping the two seat for pilot training and VIP rides (another real life Blue Angels tradition I instilled). But my mind was in an up to date squadron flying the same planes the real Blues fly today. The Hornet. With the Cougar single seat just getting in the air we started working with Shana on the F/A-18C and D Hornets. This labor of love in which I was intimately involved for over a year is described in detail in a NEPTUNE magazine article (see here).
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| A dream come true. |
Following the tradition of previous seasons, the year 2018 calendar for the Blue Angels included traditions established the year before: like the Homecoming Air Show and the ID4 Air Show, both organized by me as part of my responsibilities as Blue Angel 7. With NAS Miramar on hold, the Homecoming will happen at NAS PAX River, moving from season opener to last demo of each season (the real meaning of homecoming). In Second Life the air show seasons last a lot longer than in real life, so expect homecoming to occur sometime in October each year. As for ID4, the 2020 edition will happen July 3 and 4. Details will be released in June.
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| The Blue Angels memorial site built at El Centro now stands at PAX. |
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| Wall of honor in the Blues ops room at PAX. Over 4 years of history. |
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| The Blue Angels ops room is a favorite on any NAS PAX River tour. |
The SL United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels represent in Second Life one of the most prestigious and charismatic aerobatic squadrons in the world. It is our privilege to continue to play that part for the benefit of all who fly navy and marines in Second Life and the aviation enthusiasts who live in this virtual world. Just as in real life, I made a point of starting each air demo with the narration intro that states: "Since 2016 the Blue Angels have had the unique privilege of demonstrating to the Second Life public the precision techniques of Naval Aviation, hoping to inspire a culture of excellence and service to country." You will continue to hear these words at every air show we are in and that is the exact definition of what we do.
See you on deck.
Asra "Cougar" Kron
SL NFDS / Angel 7
Complete photo album relative to this post: SEE HERE!
Post Scriptum:
I owe Vickster Kuhn a lot. I owe her accepting me in her group and allowing me to change its culture, I owe her all she did to keep Eagles Nest and Miramar safe, I owe her for many of the best moments I have had flying in Second Life. But it is a two way street. In the end it all came to realize she, like others before her, did not respect me at all and it makes me wonder why the things I owe her for came to pass. Now all I wish is to carry on with the years long body of work I created and refuse to lay down to waste. May the SL skies be fair to us both and those flying on our wings.
Designations:
While operating in the SL U.S. Navy Third Fleet structure, the Blue Angels carried the designation of the original group (NFDT), founded by Vickster Kuhn, and now she is pursuing her goals outside that structure it remains the same.
Blue Angels Aerobatic Team (see group details here)
As a matter of definition, as in real life, the Blue Angels in the SL U.S. Navy Third Fleet structure are assuming the NFDS designation. Personnel and related officials will gradually join this group as we carry on our Third Fleet tradition.
SL NFDS Blue Angels (see group details here)
Footnotes: Words and Deeds
WORDS
Services I provide for the SL NFDS Blue Angels (among others):
Our existing communications system; our aircraft liveries and pilot insignia and helmets; our ground show drill operations; our ground crew support with radio relay for audiences; our air show narration; continued development of engines and frames for our aircraft in coordination with Shana Aircraft; our ground operations setup (including props, markings, runway and taxiway layouts, parking layouts, squadron areas and air show PR - text and graphics, among others); our air show off site audience locations (land, sea and air); our SL Blue Angels graphic image and advertising; our public affairs initiatives (including internet presence, news, motorsports, SLNFC recruitment, among others); our open skies training locations and operational stations (NAS PAX River, NAF Boonootoo); our demonstration layout as established by me in 2016, based on the real life Blue Angels air show program adapted to a 4x2 or 3x2 region demo box (F9, F/A-18, C-130).
DEEDS
Blue Angels in SL United States Navy Third Fleet - Partial body of work:
(click on each title to read - link to posts)
NFDT a.k.a. Blue Angels
Becoming a Blue Angel
It's not easy being Blue...
Pushing the Envelope
Flight of the Angels
Blue Angels over Agrippa
Action Shot 04/16
Happy Holidays!
FLY FOR LIFE - July 4th - Blake Sea
Homecoming is here!
Blue Angels 7 and 8 get new Cougar "2 Up"
Miramar Action Shots 2016
A new Season begins...
Blue Angels Fly for Life again | Flying for Life! | Flying for Life still
One Year of History, One Hundred Years of Brotherhood
Sous le Ciel de Paris... | An American in Paris
Blue Angels award Challenge Coins
Daystar 2017 International Air Show
New SCPMU's received
Thank you 7th Fleet
Newbie on deck - LTJG. M. Blueskind
Last Newbie of Seventeen
Grumman F9F-8T Cougar Blue Angels
The Barry Foehammer Building
Corsica International Air Show 2018
New Hornets close to Demo Ready Version | New Hornets for the Fleet
2017 Blue Angels Formation Grid Flight
Cougars' Blake Run
Happy Holidays from The Blues!
It's coming! | Homecoming Air Show Layout
A New Season starts: Blue Angels Homecoming 2018
Luxor Blue Angels Airshow 2018
Blue Angels 2018 World Tour Prospect Info
Bastille Day at Ville de Coeur - World Tour Stop 1
SL15B
Three for Three
NAF El Centro Inauguration
Setback. Pause. Play.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
CINSAL International Airshow 2019
NFDS Blue Angels in Second Life
Homecoming 2017 Photo Coverage
Homecoming 2018 Photo Coverage
ID4 Air Show 2016
ID4 Air Show 2017
ID4 Air Show 2018
ID4 Air Show 2019
NAS Miramar in SL Aviation Magazine
Last 2016 Blue Angels VIP Rides - Ms. Shana Carpool
Last 2016 Blue Angels VIP Rides - RADM Harcassle
Blue Angels VIP Ride - Miss Salina
Blue Angels VIP Ride - CAPT. Sidney Pobieski
Blue Angels VIP Ride - Lcl. Paterne Lefavre
NEPTUNE magazine #1
NEPTUNE magazine #2
NEPTUNE magazine #6
CAPT Asra "Cougar" Kron
SL NFDS Blue Angels (c) 2020