Blue Angels Pilot Captain Bill Switzer, USN Ret

The September meeting of EAA Chapter 64, held Tuesday evening at St. Louis Downtown Airport, included a presentation on the history of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels by aviation historian Joe Gurney and Navy Captain (Ret.) William Switzer. Captain Switzer flew with the Blue Angels as a Lieutenant during the 1971 and 1972 seasons in the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II, and also flew over 20 different aircraft including the F-14 Tomcat at NAS Miramar during the filming of the movie "Top Gun." Joe Gurney gave a comprehensive view of the Blue Angels aircraft used since the 1946 season, while Captain Switzer relayed his experiences flying the F-4J as Opposing Solo No. 6 in 1971 and Slot No. 4 in 1972. Members and visitors also viewed a film of the team flying the current F/A-18C Hornet, which in this year of uncertain federal budgets, is as close to a Blue Angel performance as possible.