The 48th FBG Skyblazers in their freshly painted F-84Gs. Only one aircraft wears the group badge at this stage. The tail and tip tanks were blue and white; the fuselage stripe was red outlined with white.

The original Sky blazers team poses. From left to right: Lt Buck Pattillo, Maj Harry K. Evans, Lt Bill Pattillo, Lt Lawrence Damewood.

The 36th team in their F-84E Thunderjets. The badge just behind the buzz number is that of the 22nd FBS.

The Skyblazers’ F-86s photographed during formation practice over France in March 1956. The 48th Fighter Bomber Wing (Statue of Liberty Wing), a 12th Air Force unit, was based at Chaumont Air Base at the time.

The Skyblazers’ F-86s photographed during formation practice over France in March 1956. The 48th Fighter Bomber Wing (Statue of Liberty Wing), a 12th Air Force unit, was based at Chaumont Air Base at the time.

The F-100 Super Sabres of the Skyblazers mete out shock treatment to photographers at Marignane, Marseilles in September 1957.

The Skyblazers' F-100 Super Sabres in typical formation.

Capt Wilbur L. Creech, 1957 leader of the Skyblazers, low and fast over Wethersfield in his F-100C in June of that year.