Blue Angels Tested X-33 Speedmaster goes to winter camp...

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Excited to add this new piece to my collection.

As mentioned in this Fratellowatches article Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 3290.50 the Navy flight demonstration team the Blue Angels tested the Generation 1 X-33 for Omega providing valuable feedback allowing Omega to refine the later Generation 2 X-33 currently in use.

"All required specifications were met after 5 years of severe testing and prototyping with the help of European (ESA) and American (NASA) astronauts. Also pilots of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds were involved in this process."

This watch was worn by the Blue Angels pilot testing the functions and durability of the watch during the 1997 practice and air show season.

At the end of the testing period the watch was returned to Omega for refurbishment. Once completed, the watch was offered to the pilot for purchase. The case back was engraved with the Blue Angels patch and returned to the pilot where he has had it in a drawer in its original box without a battery unused for 20+ years. A new battery brought the watch to life and it is performing flawlessly.

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20 years later just needed a new battery!

Pretty impressive all the way around. Serious Congratulations!
 
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Well that's not good. How I bungled that I'm not sure. Thanks for pointing it out.
We knew what you meant!
 
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Meanwhile outside the ISS - International Space Station
August 17, 2022, ISS spacewalk 54
Ws this the first time we saw the Omega Speedmaster X-33 analog-digital chronograph being used during a spacewalk as both Russian cosmonauts, Oleg Artemyev (red Orlan MKS) & Denis Matveev (blue Orlan MKS) wore an Omega Speedmaster X-33 with goldish kapton foil packed strap on the right forearm of their Orlan-MKS space suit.
The goldish kapton foil seems to be there to insulate the watches against small electrical fields, or even to provide some thermal insulation between the +200° temperature differences existing between shadow and Sun-lit areas... #MoonwatchUniverse #SWFG
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I wonder why they did that? The X33 is rated for -20C to +70C; while temps outside the ISS during EVA may range from as little as -157C to +122C. The risk of damaging the X33 is way higher than I would be comfortable accepting.
 
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The risk of damaging the X33 is way higher than I would be comfortable accepting.

The though of creating a watch for himself that has great personal history probably out weighed the risk of damaging it. Plus, if it was damaged it would be easily replaced for him.
 
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48 hours later and the time is spot on. I forgot just how absolutely comfortable this watch is.

20 years later just needed a new battery!

Just a battery. If it was a 20+ mechanical watch I would not have even wound it. This I figured a new battery and if it works it works. I think I'll just run with it now and then once it needs a change I'll send it up to Omega for a service.

25+ year old watch that looks new right out of the box.



I think this watch has seen some fun time times....

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26 years later the X-33 is reunited with the Blue Angels.

After a no airshow for the past 2 years the Blue Angels are back at Oceana Naval Air Station. Fortunate enough receive an invitation to the Commanding Officer's front row chalet. Catering, Beer, Air condition, and clean restrooms is not a bad way to see the Blues.

Blue Angels now flying the new F-18 Super Hornet E's and F's.

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Big air show at Andrews/ JBAB yesterday. We did not attend but heard several jets screaming around our area at lower-than-normal altitudes. In my youth I attend some and saw Blue Angels and Thunderbirds perform.

On a side note, I've been able to watch some training at one of the Naval Air Stations in the region; it's pretty cool being right near the runway for take-offs and landings.
 
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This is perfect timing to bump this thread. I’m seeing the Blue Angels tomorrow at Pocono Raceway!!

There was also a big air show down here in NJ at McGuire/Dix last weekend. First time since 2019. Too many people tried to go and resulted in huge traffic jams and they were turning them away.
 
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Fun fact: in the days when Russia looked like it might open up a bit, the first western display team to perform there was the Blue Angels.
To commemorate it, Poljot released a special edition of a navtimer style 3133 Chrono called the Blue Angels Chrono, with an F-18 silhouette on the dial.
I had one when I used to go to San Francisco regularly for a conference. One time, it coincided with Fleet Week, and as I was leaving to get a cab to the airport, I was almost late for my flight because the Angels where practicing for the weekend shows.
The sound of those Hornets screaming around the skyscrapers was tremendous!
 
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The Blue Angels X-33 travels west to warmer weather for a behind the scenes day with the Blue Angels at their preseason training home at NAF El Centro, California.

You only have once chance to get this many wrist shots this close to a Blue Angel F-18E.

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I love it when they come to our town (every other year). My office is downtown overlooking the water so I get to see them practice for several days before the shows. And they always give the city a fly-over and wave of the wings on their way out of town.
 
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I love it when they come to our town (every other year). My office is downtown overlooking the water so I get to see them practice for several days before the shows. And they always give the city a fly-over and wave of the wings on their way out of town.

Very cool! We have something similar up here on Long Island. They take off from a small airport near my house and you can hear them zooming over all week before the show down by the beach. Growing up, we had a boat and used to hang out by the back bays during the show and I swear they would come over us about 20 feet up.