Hobby Master Archive

In early 1949 pilots from the 22nd FS of the 36th FW USAFE started group flying. As a result in May the 36th is ordered to create an aerobatic team using Lockheed F-80B Shooting Star aircraft. In October the first performance took place in Germany using four aircraft. On January 1950 the 36th FW became the 36th FBW meaning the team would now fly the Republic F-84E Thunderjet. By the summer of 1952 the Starblazers had performed 260 displays in 12 countries. At the end of 1952 the Starblazers become part of the 86th FW. In October 1953 the team becomes part of the 48th FBW and fly the F-84G. In 1954 the team receives the new F-86F Sabre and uses them during the 1955 and 1956 seasons. In 1956 the team is once again assigned to the 36th FW and fly the F-86F Sabre. In 1957 the Starblazers’ aircraft becomes the North American F-100C Supersabre. In 1960 the team begins to use three colors of smoke in their routine. The red white and blue colors become a standard part of their routine. The last aircraft to be used was the massive Republic F-105B Thunderchief. By this time the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Team had been formed in the USA and with the F-105 capability of air re-fueling they could perform anywhere in the world making the European based Starblazers unnecessary. From 1956 to 1962 Captain Pat Kramer was with the team and in 1961 “Captain Kramer” flew the lead solo aircraft. The team was disbanded in January 1962.