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Blue Devils (aerobatic team)
Encyclopedia
The Blue Devils or the 410 (F) Squadron Aerobatic Team was a Royal Canadian Air Force
(RCAF) aerobatic team that flew the de Havilland Vampire
jet aircraft
from 1949 to 1951. The unit was the RCAF's first postwar aerobatic team, and belonged to the RCAF's first operational jet fighter squadron, No. 410 Squadron
.
The Blue Devils started as a team of three by World War II
flying ace
Flight Lieutenant
Don C. Laubman
. Later, a fourth member was added to provide a solo performance. The team gained official recognition from the Air Defence Group shortly after its first show at RCAF Station Rockcliffe on 11 June 1949.
Thereafter, the Blue Devils expanded to six aircraft, including a second solo, and went on to fly at airshow
s around Canada and the United States
. Despite a training accident on 25 July 1949 in which Squadron Leader Bob Kipp was killed near St. Hubert, the team went on to become the de facto official RCAF aerobatic team. The team's official name became the Air Defence Group Aerobatic Team in 1950.
The Blue Devils were disbanded in September 1950 as its members were posted to different squadrons and the Vampire was retired in favour of the F-86 Sabre. The team was temporarily reformed on 8 August 1951, however, because of an air show commitment. The last air show was flown on 19 August 1951 at the Michigan Air Fair in Detroit. During its three years of existence, the Blue Devils performed at 45 air shows in Canada and the United States.
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
(RCAF) aerobatic team that flew the de Havilland Vampire
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
jet aircraft
Jet aircraft
A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...
from 1949 to 1951. The unit was the RCAF's first postwar aerobatic team, and belonged to the RCAF's first operational jet fighter squadron, No. 410 Squadron
No. 410 Squadron RCAF
410 Tactical Fighter Operational Training Squadron, nicknamed the "Cougars", is a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft squadron currently located at Canada's primary training base for the CF-18 , at Cold Lake, Alberta...
.
The Blue Devils started as a team of three by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
Don C. Laubman
Don C. Laubman
Lieutenant General Donald Currie Laubman, AOE, DFC & Bar, CD began his military career in December 1939. In 1942 he was posted to 133 Squadron in Boundary Bay, British Columbia, Canada...
. Later, a fourth member was added to provide a solo performance. The team gained official recognition from the Air Defence Group shortly after its first show at RCAF Station Rockcliffe on 11 June 1949.
Thereafter, the Blue Devils expanded to six aircraft, including a second solo, and went on to fly at airshow
Airshow
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
s around Canada and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Despite a training accident on 25 July 1949 in which Squadron Leader Bob Kipp was killed near St. Hubert, the team went on to become the de facto official RCAF aerobatic team. The team's official name became the Air Defence Group Aerobatic Team in 1950.
The Blue Devils were disbanded in September 1950 as its members were posted to different squadrons and the Vampire was retired in favour of the F-86 Sabre. The team was temporarily reformed on 8 August 1951, however, because of an air show commitment. The last air show was flown on 19 August 1951 at the Michigan Air Fair in Detroit. During its three years of existence, the Blue Devils performed at 45 air shows in Canada and the United States.