Blue Angels Phantoms to Skyhawks with "Turkey" (ep. 156)

[@greganderson5981]

Turkey's can be vicious too! What a stud. Sierra Hotel podcast.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

I can listen to Jerry Tucker stories all day long. Really like the new format!

[@jdfriloux]

Yes and yes!

[@jdfriloux]

Nice plug for you too!

[@davidlegas8066]

Loved this podcast. As an old Marine Aviator with a couple thousand hours in the A-4 , I was smiling the whole time. Thanks Jerry.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thank YOU, David! 🤩

[@dennispetretti3384]

Jerry's a trip. A blast. he's so honest and open...very few filters. One of the best interviews.

[@Jerrylumdegaard]

I was a little kid when my parents and I moved to California - I was lost - then they took me to an air show at Point Magu NAS. The Blue Angels were flying the A4 at the time. I was no longer lost- my eyes were forever turned skyward. Great stuff here !!

[@modscientist9793]

I have Butch Voris's book 'First Blue" a great read and eye opening biography on the foundation of this amazing flight demonstration team.

[@holdenhenrysilver5147]

I spend hours every day listening to podcasts, so I still will be enjoying the audio-only version. But I love to be able to go back to certain points and putting a face to the voice of the guests and seeing their reaction to certain segments. Really appreciate all of the hard work!

[@jeffnewbill5599]

This format is world's above what this podcast has been in the past, being able to see the people you are listening to makes a huge difference.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Glad you like it, Jeff! But I must say, it adds a world of complexity to the show, too...

[@55Reever]

I was nine years old the first time I saw the Blue Angels. 1966 NAS Lemoore. F-11 Tigers

[@steveyoung7669]

I caught them at Bakersfield, same year I think.

[@chrislarson9299]

Im really liking the new format. I like being able to put a face to the voice. Keep it up. Love the channel.

[@waltzb7548]

Thanks for another great interview! Great format, as many have already said. We do appreciate you and all those that participate in in this channel and podcast! Cheers!

[@h.r.puffnstuff8705]

These interviews are solid gold. I caught three Blues shows during the F4 era. I’ve seen a butt load since especially at my duty station Cecil Field. Hands down the F4 shows were the best!

[@billeudy8481]

Got a incentive ride in the back seat of an F-4D and it WAS stable. It flew like it was on steel rails. The pilot said he executed every maneuver by pulling the stick back. Just roll until the desired direction is overhead. And pull the stick back.

[@ibreihvr]

Thank you Jell-O and the FPP team for another amazing episode! One of the best to date in my opinion, love hearing the stories of the guys that have been there and done that. And what a great person Jerry Tucker is, fills me with inspiration to do something cool myself, even though i'm not even close to his field of business!

[@dutchbrotherfan1284]

I like that now we can see the hands simulating the maneuvers and faces to names and voices as well.

[@merlinzipp]

Awesome interview. What a great career you had Turkey. Thanks for sharing it with us. I shot down an F-4 with skin to skin contact with a RIM 7M. It was converted to a remote control drone for training. I felt bad because I think they were a beautiful jet.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

So a QF-4.

[@TheModelGuy]

One of the best interviews to date. Really enjoyed this!

[@jameswhite9025]

First saw the Blues at NAS Quonset Point in 71 (lost one in the bay) I was 8 years old and got to go up to the ropes and meet several Pilots, my life trajectory was set, I spent 20 years as a USN P3 Flight Engineer and 20 years after as a contract Sim Instructor for the Navy, These guys had a lot of impact on a lot of youngsters!! Great interview!!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks, James!

[@iainbradford4254]

Bloody good entertainment, thanks guys :-)

[@dogsbd]

I listened to the audio podcast driving home from work and since there were some mentions of various pictures/video I wanted to see the KZbin version as well. I cannot get over how young Turkey looks. I'm 61... he doesn't look a day older than me! And I know he has to be pushing 80, at least.

[@spacebear49]

He is such a great story teller and so fun to listen to. Very glad you asked him back!

[@jetjacko]

What a top show. I am now a Jerry and Fighter Pilot Podcast fan. You've got me.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

🤩

[@lesshelton2114]

About 1970 the Blues came to Winston -Salem NC for a air show. My scout troop with a a Winston Salem Police officer was security for the F4s. I slept part of night under a F4. I enlisted after high school and work on Phantoms. I later join reserves and and work on A4's and F18's. All great airplanes.

[@troyledbetter6597]

This interview was exceptional in so many ways. I enjoyed Turkeys stories and explanations. I have a friend who was the crew chief on the number five solo plane in the Blues flying A4s for three years. Just before this assignment he was a TA4 engine mech at Kingsville. I went to visit him and got a back seat taxi ride in a TA4 under its own power! I became a Marine in 85 and recovered F4s and A4s! The catalyst for enlisting was seeing the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds both in F4s at SAC Base Carswell, Tx.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Sweet! 🤩

[@markkrick8602]

I lived near the Willow Grove NAS (PA) and in high school 1973 or 74 when the F4 Blues were practicing for the weekend show. No classes were possible with the distraction so we were all allowed to watch practice from a campus hillside (about 1 mile from the runway at WG). As the Blues went by on their landing run we got a wing wag from the whole flight. Maybe you were there Mr. Tucker, Thanks for your service to us!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Great memory!

[@markkrick8602]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Naval aviation was part of growing up. My Dad was a CPO in VR-52 at WG. I drew pictures of the Phantom on my bedroom walls... This plane is still my favorite warbird!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@markkrick8602 🤩

[@dylanogden812]

I love and thank all our amazing veterans for their service ur true heros in my eyes were blessed for u all god bless

[@jimmyjs8907]

I saw the Blues at Pt Mugu in 1976, great show! Thank you gentlemen for your service.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I was there two years later!

[@Nico_83]

Superb. As always. Love the new format. . Congrats on all your recent accomplishments Captain Jell-O !!

[@rox6385]

Excellent video, was at Flight School in Pensacola and saw Steve Lambert's Mishap F4 at the Blue's Hangar on a flatbed after the mishap, glad he got out Ok.

[@manfredseidler1531]

I wish I could get away with a thousand thumbs up... stunning and captivating presentation... time just flew way to fast.

[@steveyoung7669]

I was stationed at Pax River, we got the retired #4 Phantom, and got permission to keep the paint for a while.

[@modscientist9793]

Insane pictures of the Blues in action, great episode, what a great story teller, I also went over and knocked out ep50, thank you for bringing us all of this great content.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome--thanks for the comment. 👍

[@mrdddeeezzzweldor5039]

Awesome interview and stories!

[@crusader5989]

Great show, love turkey since the F-8 episode.

[@hueginvieny7959]

Thanks for making every mile and every second of my drive Home enjoyable even when I'm sitting in Washington d.c and baltimore traffic I didn't care. The video interviews are so much better in my opinion

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome, and thank you. ...but I trust you're paying sufficient attention to the road!

[@leerushenberg2461]

I think the new format is great and I love the "There I was..." stories. One small thing to ask, could you keep any pictures up for just a bit longer than a few seconds? Otherwise, perfect. Your interviewing technique seems smooth and professional, and you appear relaxed and prepared. Good stuff!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback and will pass your suggestion on to our producers. I trust you figured out you can pause the video to see the picture longer. 😉

[@Demonrides]

Loving this new format, please don't stop this sir .... 😊😊😊

[@Aircrewinterview]

Great episode chaps.

[@Avofan]

It would be a privilege to meet Jerry Tucker.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Peruse any of the San Diego golf courses and you're liable to find him!

[@Mark_Ocain]

Looking forward to this one!!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Did it deliver?

[@CanuckFlyer]

Awesome interview, the Vince Donile supersonic incident was in Kelowna British Columbia. But Turkey was correct it was over a lake

[@stretch3281]

Fascinating episode. 😀 Being British, i would love to here you interview a RAF Red Arrows pilot to see what difference the pond makes. Also there used to be a Royal Navy helicopter display team called the sharks 🦈 and as a kid i got to watch them practice and they were awesome. 👌

[@dennisparks3692]

awesome talk! thanks for the special presentation Turkey. I'm pretty sure Turkey was flying at the corvallis, OR show back in '80 and I have some great pics of them then. Wish I could post a couple here

[@scottcolella7650]

Great video, love the details on the scooter!, thank you gentlemen!

[@pcgkjrn]

Excellent interview 👍

[@johnfitzpatrick3416]

Great interview👍 I’d like to think he was flying with the Blues in 1977. Caught their show at NAS Norfolk, the Harrier that put a demonstration on wouldn’t be allowed to be as close as he was today😁

[@modscientist9793]

If I remember correctly, the F-4 had a nasty spin characteristic that in some cases was unrecoverable, it's amazing that the Blue Angels used it to great effect considering the aircraft attrition rate.

[@petesheppard1709]

As far as giving up the Phantoms, fuel cost was a main driver. This was during the 'Fuel Crisis' of the '70s, so reducing fuel usage was a factor that could not be ignored---especially in the military-averse atmosphere of the time.

[@mviking39]

Perhaps it’s the beer I’m drinking, I feel emotional watching this

[@stevenhoman2253]

This is such a unique channel. How many people in the world get a chance to have such experiences? It is such a small minority, that the stories must be kept alive to evoke the special camaraderie.

[@Dstew57A]

Excellent show!

[@glennaycock9445]

What a great show I actually had the opportunity to meet him a couple of times when I was working for Southwest very very nice man!

[@chrisdS-3C-130]

Great episode

[@modscientist9793]

Turkeys can be vicious too!! Omg what a great podcast!! Keep them coming!❤😂

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Will do!

[@phamanh30926]

I would love to watch the guys from the f15 episodes, love the video

[@davidfoster2613]

Great interview

[@petesheppard1709]

When in high school, I got to watch a Phantom show. For pure power and presence, it can't be beat. In college, I saw the Skyhawks, and like Turkey said, it was a very tight, close demonstration, but those little 'Scooters' just weren't as overwhelming as the F-4s.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I bet!

[@petesheppard1709]

@@FighterPilotPodcast 😎

[@gustavorocha78]

Greetings from Brazil!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

👋

[@vilmarmoccelin]

Don't worry about the future... The Brazilian "Esquadrilha da Fumaça" (Smoke Squadron) fly turboprop light attack aircraft and as a kid I was hooked instantaneously. Never had a chance because of eyesight problems (a big no no to be a military aviator here), but you don't need a big fighter to do the job a demonstration team do: spread passion about aviation!

[@hoyavp2236]

I was stationed at Point Mugu

[@mikelawless1838]

Best Blue Show I ever saw was the F-4 in Naples Italy as a dependent. Perfect Theater for the hog!

[@templeton3504]

What a funky situation. Seems strange and I would really think the FAA will take into account the fact you were ghosted by ATC and within moments entered bravo airspace. Upside is you have a video of yourself making attempts to get in contact with ATC and took the responsible actions to correct the situation....to me Charlotte messed up somewhere at some point. If this happened in a commercial setting this would be a huge issue. Keep your head up, you're an awesome pilot and teacher.

[@colonelkurtz2269]

Today I walked around my F18. It was quiet. The sun was going down. My only thought was: Do I keep it on the table or hang it by fishing line from my bedroom ceiling?😆 I'll see myself out.

[@Nghilifa]

😂😂🤣🤣😂😂 You got a chuckle outta me!

[@Semipr0]

Jello thanks for another great podcast, you can't never go wrong with a guy named Jerry 😅 but when you add turkey to the mixx it's going to be entertaining...!

[@petertimowreef9085]

A Pantera and an Interceptor holy cow, that had to be the coolest car combo in the entire US at the time.

[@wspad2136]

These aviators are amazing. Very familiar F8’s and VF-191 USS Oriskany CVA-34 Proud to have served with a great bunch of guys in V2 division Cats, Arresting Gear & PLATT. I’m a little biased CAT CREW RULES. 👍

[@brouse3274]

Awesome! This is the best Podcast ever I am in awe of all of you. Thankyou for your sevice

[@pinchus34]

Second time around is even better then the first...and that's saying something. BTW, I've got a Jerry "Turkey" Tucker F-8 in my build pile. How could I not build a plane to commemorate perhaps the only man to scare a MIG pilot into ejecting??

[@modscientist9793]

Good to hear that they finally bolted the seats into the A-4 to test the Zero G harnesses lol😂

[@gullskegger]

Excellent as always Jello.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks!

[@parkerford3800]

You know I don't want to rewrite history but for the people who haven't had the opportunity to know about the Blue Angels they are a cool fire jet they are F-18 Hornet firejet they are they are 4 in apart from Wing to tip they fly in a diamond formation. They also work with the US Marine Corps is their Naval Naval unit this year or last year hired the first female pilot for the big C-130 and at school they have one plane that is a passenger plane that you can write in its the Blue Angel 7 five maybe six seven summers ago when they lost a pilot as you come into Pensacola Florida are one of the coolest airbases I have ever been on. It is amazing and they actually once in a full moon swapped positions with the Royal Navy of England so we trained one at their Pirates and they trained one of our Pilots so it's actually really cool they are probably one of the fun is Jets to be in there's a funny story with that when you hit a certain trouble if you're ever goes out it gets very very hot and very very very quickly that cockpit the weight of the air goes to the engine of the aircraft that keeps the aircraft cool so that way you can stay focused yes it gets really hot in that aircraft

[@ajchenmph]

1:26 - Ha! I use the same line all the time!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

🤣

[@katout75]

In terms of selecting a new aircraft for the Blue Angels from the podcast, I was a little surprised since they considered the A-7 and T-2 why not also consider the F-14? Probably too expensive to operate as the Phantom was also too expensive but woulda been neat to see a glossy yellow/blue F-14.

[@Z1PP00]

Also a fairly new aircraft in 1974. So the Navy probably wanted more front line squadrons.

[@andrewj9831]

@@Z1PP00 Plus keep in mind the Super hornets they fly now are "older" ones, plus the only reason they fly the C-130J is because the UK stopped using them, as the USMC didn't want to give them one of theirs. So normally the needs of the fleet decides what plane they fly, and they would rather have them there.

[@dmutant2635]

A bunch of big blue F-14s woulda been awesome!

[@dogsbd]

52:00 hehehe I think you're getting a little old Jello... I am 99% certain you are remembering a past guest, I believe it was Snowbirds pilot "Scratch" Mitchell who related the "I gotta go to the store" thought at the top of a loop

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Whether scratch said something like that or not, I remember that story from when I was a kid. … but yes, I am getting old. Thanks for the reminder.

[@dogsbd]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Aww man.. now I feel bad about bringing it up! This is a top 5 all time best episode by the way.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@dogsbd thanks. Turkey is the man!

[@garyeuscher4499]

I loved the Phantom Blues! Very loud powerful jet! Skyhawks not so much!

[@peetky8645]

could the A4 skyhawk give ukraine a viable rough field capability that is able to shoot down slow cruise missiles drop the occasional bomb, fire the occasional cruise missile at a land or sea target? are any of these things shrink wrapped in a desert somewhere?

[@byronharano2391]

You all broke these air wonders and us knucklehead Enlistedmen repaired your undoing. Yet, we always enjoyed providing the best performance with safest ride to you our Commissioned Officers as best possible. Excellence in totality in our United States Navy 🇺🇸! Press on (moto of USS Kitty Hawk CV 63)

[@mikelastname]

Regarding the Blue's having to look at flying trainers, the RAAF aerobatics team, The Roulettes, fly their prop trainer Pilatus PC-21 and it is an excellent show, despite their not being a Super Hornet or Fat Amy in sight.

[@dmutant2635]

I'm still laughing at "Spine-ripper"! I'd often wondered what a Blue Angel's F-8 woulda been like....

[@timthomas8309]

Scott Kelly, as in former astronaut Scott Kelly?

[@taproom113]

Epic, S H stuff! Carry on ... ^v^ (PS, F-8's Forever!)

[@mikewest9017]

Just curious, and I say this as a non-pilot; why would a Navy fighter pilot not want to apply to the Blue Angles? It seems that would be the pinnacle of a Navy pilot’s career.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Because you're gone a lot, it's the same flying all the time, being a celebrity gets old, and the opportunity cost of not doing something else cool, like being a TOPGUN instructor.

[@mikewest9017]

Gotcha! Makes sense

[@anamariatiradogonzalez]

Eso de ponerme el ruido del tibojet por los Sony es un gran truco

[@barrymccockiner6641]

#6 has to be the best position!

[@johnb7490]

Great guedt

[@parkerford3800]

One of my favorite memories that I have and I actually have a photo of it smile and I'm probably balance say about five feet from the runway and I'm sitting there in a little personal box with the staff and all that stuff and you know the pit Crews and all that took off from the long way is I smile if Buzz is over our head and the same time as I say to my friend that's the last seen our enemies here is the same time yep and that's why we are good at what we do

[@jon-helgramite2478]

... and one token attack puke ... THAT is pure Navy - Marine Corps aviation in 5 words Mutual respect for both communities ... but fighter crews make movies, and attack crews make history !!

[@toomanyuserids]

Both the blues and the birds had problems with the massive F-4. Both teams would have been better off without it.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

History cannot be changed, only learned from

[@ncktbs]

the future will be legacy jets and a solo front line fighter at the same show

[@wayneroyal3137]

“No it was related to the fact that we needed some adult leadership”.. fantastic……

[@sylencecured77]

likewise* i believe i'll hang out and view this

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Hope it was worth it!

[@ryanchurch5864]

10/10

[@ILSRWY4]

great video and interview! Love listening to Him chat. By the way, @54:50 Myth Busters supposedly busted the myth that breaking sound barrier breaks windows. For any validity to that lets just say that for the record Myth Busters was the DUMBEST most inaccurate show on TV.

[@thomasshoe92]

I watched the blue angels crash in my baby pool as a kid in Niagara Falls

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

🥹

[@TRUE_PROPHET_of_CHRIST]

Also my🇺🇸🇬🇧🇮🇱prayer ALWAYS is 4🇮🇱Christ🇮🇱 to ALWAYS🇺🇸BLESS/PROTECT🇺🇸our fighter pilots🇺🇸{previous & present pilots} & their🇺🇸 families🇺🇸...

[@angusmatheson8906]

Lol weirdo

[@jamescheney7057]

If you want to torture a fighter pilot, make him talk without using his hands.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Especially an Italian fighter pilot.

[@angusmatheson8906]

The A4 would have been WAY more fun to fly. 720 degree per second roll rate.

[@IkeThe9th]

I’m ashamed to say that I’m just getting to this one but I think it’s one of the best! I found Turkey’s answer “to what happens to the Blues/Birds in a 5th Gen Armed Forces?,” incisive. I think he said - and I’m paraphrasing - Fly Trainers! Because it’s less about the jets and than about the Team. A group of personable guys and gals representing their service and profession. What an excellent answer! It re-cages why the Demo Team exists. It’s NOT about the jets. 🫡 Another great one Jell-O!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thank you!