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For europe based Planespotters/Photographers


My newspaper said that the Blue angels are going to hit Dutch airspace next year. They usually don't go outside of the U.S.? Will be in June at the open day of the airforces...

Would be nice to see them I suppose

Leeuwarden AB... 140km by car from Amsterdam. A day journey by train

This has been recently confirmed as the only European date for the team in 2006. Shame they haven't the time to appear in the UK, they haven't been here since 1992 but they have a busy calendar of airshows in the US around the time of our major shows.

This has been recently confirmed as the only European date for the team in 2006. Shame they haven't the time to appear in the UK, they haven't been here since 1992 but they have a busy calendar of airshows in the US around the time of our major shows.

I agree & quite frankly I'm surprised & disappointed. The UK is the recognised centre of air displays in the whole of Europe & the British public is without doubt the most air-minded in Europe & possibly the whole world. This could be compared with Elvis Presley's decision not to perform in the UK once during his long career thus disappointing many thousands of loyal fans. I wouldn't wish to deprive anyone from seeing this legendary display team but if they're coming this far surely they could have found one event that fitted their busy schedule.

From the official Blue Angeles website:


"How do you determine where to hold an air show?"

Each September the Department of Defense receives hundreds of requests to hold air shows featuring the Navy Blue Angels. After the Department of Defense screens requests for basic eligibility, requests are forwarded to the Blue Angels

Their first and formost mission in plain english is to let the tax payers see what they're paying for, secondly it is one of the Navy's most effective recruiting tools. This explains why so much of their schedule is taken by domestic shows. International applications for shows come in from all points of the globe - it would be impossible to satisfy every country's request due to the lack available dates. That would explain why it's so far and few between returns to the same country.

Hi Keni. From what I found with a quick search on Google it seems this has more to do with a reciprocal visit to the RNAF than anything else. Our own Red Arrows exist for much the same reasons as the Blue Angels yet they manage to display all over the world including the US. From what I've seen of the Blue Angels they would be welcome at most air displays & being something rarely seen in this part of the world would probably be the star attraction, resulting in many more visitors than usual. It's quite possible that knowing their stay at home policy many air display organisers don't even think of inviting them.

Hey, Hagar

Sounds logical and makes total sense. But, Damnit I like the 'kiss on the bum" excuse better!


Keni