65 years ago... Bill Pogue & USAF Thunderbirds The USAF Thunderbirds display team was created in May 1953, flying the Republic F-84G. Originally named the Stardusters, the name was quickly changed in Thunderbirds as the team flew its first aerobatic display in June 1953. By 1956 the North American F-100C Super Sabre swept-wing jet made the Thunderbirds the world’s first supersonic demo team. By that time, the USAF provided the Thunderbirds pilots with a stainless steel & white Gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust with turnable bezel. This Rolex Datejust watch came in two "Thunderbirds" logo versions, with the logo at 9 and logo at 6 o'clock position as seen in the well-known 1958 advert showing the Thunderbirds F-100C Super Sabre jets diving in close diamond formation. Some pilots received an 18karat Gold version of the Thunderbirds logo Rolex Datejust pilot watch. This photo shows the 1956-57 aerobatic team with at lower right 1st Lieutenant William Pogue as slot/solo display pilot. In 1966 William “Bill” Pogue was selected a NASA-astronaut. (Photos: USAF)
