The Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation, Grumman F11-A Tiger Jet Committee, the City of New Bern, MCAS Cherry Point, and local residents join forces to restore and relocate old Fighter Jet!
You may recall driving by the plane on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (Hwy 17) that was surrounded by overgrown shrubs and in need of a major paint job.
A retired Grumman employee noticed it was a Grumman F11-A Tiger Jet that was part of the Blue Angel Team and asked Swiss Bear if they could restore it because of its significance in aviation history:
- First flight in July 1954
- By 1956, set the world speed record of 1,386 miles per hour and world altitude record of 76.828 feet.
- Wings were milled from single slabs of aluminum and served as integral fuel tanks.
- The Tiger fitted into the most compact airframe possible epitomizing the Grumman attributes of simplicity and ruggedness.
- By 1957 became the Navy’s first operational supersonic fighter.
- Only 200 were built - last delivered to the Navy January 23, 1959.
Swiss Bear developed a committee and with the help of aforementioned entities, the fighter jet was restored to its Blue Angel condition at MCAS Cherry Point and returned to New Bern on May 15, 2011.
History of US Navy Blue Angels:
- At the end of WWII, the Chief of Naval Operations, Chester W. Nimitz, ordered the formation of a Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron to promote the Navy’s Air Corps in peacetime.
- Soon after, while planning a show in New York City, a member of the original team was thumbing through a New Yorker magazine, saw mention of the City’s famous nightclub the Blue Angel, and the squadron found its name.
- When the Korean conflict began in 1950, the Blue Angels reported to the USS Princeton to establish Fighter Squadron 191, calling themselves “Satan’s Kittens”
- After that conflict, the Blue Angels peacetime mission expanded to enhance recruiting efforts for the Navy, Marine Corps and goodwill ambassadors.
- This F-11A Tiger was stationed at MCAS Cherry point before overhaul and reassignment to the Blue Angels for the 1966-1977 Season.
- It is one of 45 F-11’s that served the Blue Angel team and piloted by US Navy Lieutenant Norm Gandia between 1959 and 1961.
The project cost of approximately $190,000 is being funded through cash and in-kind contributions. To-date $155,000 has been raised and $30,000 is needed to complete the project turnkey with landscaping, sidewalk, flag poles, lighting and handicap accessibility.
To contribute to the project, please visit www.downtownnewbern.com and download a contribution form or stop by the Swiss Bear office, 316 South Front Street. Please make checks payable to Swiss Bear/F-11. Contributors will be recognized and are tax deductible.
For more information about the Restoration and Relocation Project, visit: http://www.downtownnewbern.com/pages/current-F-11-Grumann.htm or http://newbernnow.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-berns-f11-fighter-jet-restoration.html
Visit Lawson Creek Park to see the beautifully restored Blue Angel Jet!
Thank you, Swiss Bear Director, Susan Moffat Thomas and New Bern Fire Chief Bobby Aster for taking the time to talk about this special project! Thea Kincaid did a great job with the interview!
Wendy Card, Publisher of New Bern Now's Community Website, Ledger Publication, and Blog
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