Item Description
Original Items: One-of-a-kind Set. This appears to have been compiled by a fan of the legendary USN Flight Demonstration Squadron known as the Blue Angles. The focal point of the grouping is a flight suit named to Lieutenant Commander Cliff Skelton. A wonderful 1989 article from the Coronado Eagle and Journal which can found at this link reads:
Local flyboy leads Blue Angels
When the Blue Angels come to Naval Air Station Miramar’s annual air show Aug. 12 and 13, Lt. Cmdr. Cliff Skelton will be leading the pack. Skelton, a 1974 graduate of Coronado High School, flies the lead solo F/A-18 jet for the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. The Navy pilot grew up in Coronado, the son of a career naval aaviator. After high school graduation, he attended San Diego State University for a year, then accepted a two-year Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship to the the University of Southern California. He graduated from USC in June 1978 with a bachelor of arts degree in international relations, and was commissioned as an ensign. He reported to NAS Pensacola, Fla., for aviation indoctrination, then NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, for flight training. After completing basic and advanced jet training at NAS Kingsville, Texas, he was designated a naval aviator in January 1981. From there, Skelton reported to Attack Squadron 122 (VA-122) at NAS Lemorc, Calif., for training in the A-7E Corsair. He served as a landing signal officer, training officer, personnel officer and line division officer on board the USS Enterprise as a member of the VA-22 Redcocks. In October 1984, he received transition training to the F/A-18 Hornet, and in July 1985 began service as an instructor pilot at Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Fla. Skelton joined the Blue Angels in October 1986. During the 1987 show season, he was the squadron narrator, and in 1988, he flew as the opposing solo. As the lead solo, Skelton is responsible for coordinating and leading all opposing high performance maneuvers. Additionally, Skelton, a senior Blue Angel pilot, serves as the operations officer. Skelton has accumulated more than 3,150 flight hours and 375 carrier landings. His decorations include two Navy Achievement Medals, one for overall performance with VA-22 and as narrator for the Blue Angels. He and his wife, Ali, live in Pensacola.
Included in this unique grouping are the following items:
- Genuine 1988 Issue Blue Angles flight suit named in heavy embroidery to Lieutenant Commander Cliff Skelton.
- Blue Angles white mock neck scarf.
- Blue Angles 50 Years in Flight historical book which names Skelton.
- Loads of articles, brochures and pamphlets.
- Printed photo of Lcdr Skelton in a Blue Angles plane as found in the National Archives at this link.
- More items as photographed.
Local flyboy leads Blue Angels
When the Blue Angels come to Naval Air Station Miramar’s annual air show Aug. 12 and 13, Lt. Cmdr. Cliff Skelton will be leading the pack. Skelton, a 1974 graduate of Coronado High School, flies the lead solo F/A-18 jet for the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. The Navy pilot grew up in Coronado, the son of a career naval aaviator. After high school graduation, he attended San Diego State University for a year, then accepted a two-year Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship to the the University of Southern California. He graduated from USC in June 1978 with a bachelor of arts degree in international relations, and was commissioned as an ensign. He reported to NAS Pensacola, Fla., for aviation indoctrination, then NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, for flight training. After completing basic and advanced jet training at NAS Kingsville, Texas, he was designated a naval aviator in January 1981. From there, Skelton reported to Attack Squadron 122 (VA-122) at NAS Lemorc, Calif., for training in the A-7E Corsair. He served as a landing signal officer, training officer, personnel officer and line division officer on board the USS Enterprise as a member of the VA-22 Redcocks. In October 1984, he received transition training to the F/A-18 Hornet, and in July 1985 began service as an instructor pilot at Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Fla. Skelton joined the Blue Angels in October 1986. During the 1987 show season, he was the squadron narrator, and in 1988, he flew as the opposing solo. As the lead solo, Skelton is responsible for coordinating and leading all opposing high performance maneuvers. Additionally, Skelton, a senior Blue Angel pilot, serves as the operations officer. Skelton has accumulated more than 3,150 flight hours and 375 carrier landings. His decorations include two Navy Achievement Medals, one for overall performance with VA-22 and as narrator for the Blue Angels. He and his wife, Ali, live in Pensacola.
Included in this unique grouping are the following items:
- Genuine 1988 Issue Blue Angles flight suit named in heavy embroidery to Lieutenant Commander Cliff Skelton.
- Blue Angles white mock neck scarf.
- Blue Angles 50 Years in Flight historical book which names Skelton.
- Loads of articles, brochures and pamphlets.
- Printed photo of Lcdr Skelton in a Blue Angles plane as found in the National Archives at this link.
- More items as photographed.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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