1982 Honda MB-5 'Blue Angels' Scooter

The Honda MB-5 was introduced in 1982 as a lightweight sport motorcycle inspired by Honda's Grand Prix racing machines. Powered by a lively 49cc two-stroke engine the MB-5 was sold in the United States for just one year, making it a rare and highly sought-after collectible today.

Historical records document the acquisition of this 1982 Honda MB-5 scooter by the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Blue Angels. Shortly after entering service, the scooter was refinished in the squadron's signature blue and yellow colors to match the livery of its famous demonstration aircraft. This rare scooter served as a practical support vehicle at air shows, providing short-distance transportation for the #7 Crew Chief, known by the call sign "7 Geek." Its primary role was to assist with air show setup and to transport media representatives and other key personnel around the flight line. It is also believed that the scooter traveled with the Blue Angels aboard their support aircraft, the USMC C-130T Fat Albert, allowing it to accompany the team to demonstration sites across the country.

As safety regulations governing runway and taxiway access became increasingly stringent, particularly with the implementation of stricter RAMP license requirements, the scooter's operational use came to an end. It was subsequently retired from active service and placed into storage at the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, California.

The scooter remained at NAF El Centro until 2015, when it was acquired by Aviation Machinist's Mate Petty Officer Second Class Robert Weiterhausen, who was serving as the Blue Angels' 7 Geek at the time. Weiterhausen began preserving and restoring the historic machine before, in 2018, transporting it aboard Fat Albert to Naval Air Station Pensacola. There, stewardship passed to Aircraft Survival Equipmentman Petty Officer Second Class Travis Bradley, who was preparing to assume the role of 7 Geek after serving as number two Crew Chief. Bradley continued the scooter's preservation, ensuring its historical integrity and connection to the Blue Angels remained intact.

The historical significance of this scooter is twofold. First, the Honda MB-5 was produced for the United States market for only a single model year, making it an inherently rare motorcycle. More importantly, this example was specially modified and used by the United States Navy Blue Angels, giving it a direct connection to one of the world's most celebrated military flight demonstration teams. Believed to be the only surviving Blue Angels scooter of its kind, it represents a unique artifact of naval aviation history and an irreplaceable piece of Blue Angels heritage.