The Blue Devils , also 410 (F) Squadron Aerobatic Team , was an aerobatic team of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), which performed aerobatics with de Havilland DH.100 vampires from 1949 to 1951 . It was the Royal Canadian Air Force's first post-war aerobatic squadron, and the first operational jet fighter squadron of No. 410 Squadron.
The Blue Devils began as a team of three aces of World War II under Flight Lieutenant Don C. Laubman. A fourth element was later added to allow a solo performance. The team gained Air Defense Group's official recognition shortly after its first show at RCAF Rockcliffe base on June 11, 1949.
After that, the Blue Devils expanded to six aircraft, including a second solo machine. They performed demonstrations at air shows in Canada and the United States. Despite a training accident on July 25, 1949 in which Squadron Leader Bob Kipp was killed near St. Hubert, the Blue Devil became the official RCAF aerobatic team. In 1950 the team was officially named Air Defense Group Aerobatic Team .
resolution
The dissolution of the Blue Devils took place in September 1950. The members were divided into different squadrons and the aircraft retired in favor of the North American F-86 Saber . The team was reactivated briefly on August 8, 1951 for an air show. The last air show took place on August 19, 1951 at the Michigan Air Show in Detroit . During its three year history, the Blue Devils have hosted 45 air shows in Canada and the United States.
literature
Dempsey, Daniel V. A Tradition of Excellence: Canada's Airshow Team Heritage . Victoria, BC: High Flight Enterprises, 2002. ISBN 0-9687817-0-5 .
Milberry, Larry, ed. Sixty Years — The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924-1984 . Toronto: Canav Books, 1984. ISBN 0-9690703-4-9 .
Canada