The Blue Angel Story and How YOU Can Help!

[Ocklawaha]

Blue Angel Story

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Old Brannon Field is gone, Brannon is another local historic loss. (as a historian) Best I can piece together what REALLY happened is the squadron was formed at NAS JAX.. The idea was a rather hair-brained scheme and the guys didn't want anyone to know what they were up to. They used Brannon as the site for the first practices, as it would be far out in the country and away from prying eyes. I believe this is what gave rise to the Blues ledgend that they flew off to the Everglades to practice. I don't believe that. In fact much evidence suggests they used Brannon, and probably nicknamed it "The Everglades" much like the military's mystical "BF Egypt". Since this was a show crew, "Everglades" sounded better for public consumption. It would also throw off anyone wanting a sneak peek. Brannon was laid out like many WWII NAAF facilities. The "circle" around the hexagon shape, was for taxiways. The many crossing runways were short, to simulate carrier landings and take off. The runways were marked off in ship lengths with paint. As a ship turns into the wind, the practice field could simply alternate runways thus simulate the turns of the ship. Always keeping the headwind as if it turned, due to the many directions possible. The Blues performed their first airshow at Jax Municipal Airport #2 (Todays Craig) which was NOT a Navy field, though was probably used in the war anyway. So the legend of NAS Craig just isn't so, there never was such an animal. The first show was awesome and a large crowd watched the squadron strut their stuff. It was well photographed and the Blues history web has quite a few photos.

As for the Orange Park area bomb range, we REALLY need to watch that one. It sure isn't the site I would have picked for a new school! Most of the bombs were dud's or practice pieces, but some may have had explosive charges. Early ones something like a blasting cap that set off a shower of bleached white flour as a marker. Just ONE child, finding ONE blasting cap could be very tragic indeed. Those little devices will take a hand clean off.

Anyone wanting to help mark these historic sites? I'd be honored to have you aboard and chasing the history, let me know what you find out. I have a group that places historic markers, we would love to have you or anyone else onboard. Thus far The Florida Confederation for the Preservation of Historic Sites, Inc. (AKA: The FCPHS or "Confederation") has delt with mostly Central Florida Civil War battle sites, grave yards, a church or two, and lots of volunteer time and labor. We are not a "Tea and Reading Society," We get our hands dirty, string wire, mow weeds, haul off junk and restore graves. 100% of our dues goes to the work. We also currently have a beautiful Afgan and a yearly Civil War Rifle that we raffle off. If you want tickets of membership, please contact Mr. Bill Blair, FCPHS at:

http://www.geocities.com/fcphs/

Thanks to all lovers of our history...

Ocklawaha