Seven Red Arrows for East Fortune
To prepare for a busy 2012 season, the Red Arrows complete two months
pre-season training in Cyprus - they will have performed for
two months before their display over East
Fortune and Red
10 their Road Manager will be providing specialist
commentary throughout their display. Find out about their
pre-season training in Cyprus here.
National Museums
Scotland is not responsible for the content of this video but it
has been selected as it is relevant to the National Museum of
Flight.
Birth of the Red Arrows
The 1950s and 1960s were the heyday of the RAF aerobatic display
teams. By the mid-1960s almost every RAF Flying Training School had
their own teams and the RAF decided to form a single, full-time
processional team.
In 1964 the Red Pelicans flying six Jet Provost T MK4s became
the first team to represent the RAF as a whole. In the same
year a team of five yellow Folland Gnat jet trainers, known as
Yellowjacks was formed at RAF Valley in North Wales.
Subsequently the two teams merged to form the Red Arrows,
officially known as the Royal Airforce Aerobatic Team, based at RAF
Fairford. The name the Red Arrows was chosen to combine the appeal
and expertise of two earlier teams, the famous Black Arrows and the
Red Pelicans.
Arrival of the Hawk T1
The dual control BAE Systems Hawk T1 is the Royal Air Force’s
advanced trainer, and has been used by the Red Arrows since 1979,
replacing the Folland Gnat. The aircraft are essentially the same
as those flown by Advanced Flying Training students at RAF Valley,
with the exception of smoke generation modifications and a slightly
uprated engine which gives a faster response time.
The smoke generation system pumps diesel mixed with coloured dye
into the jet exhaust to produce the colourful vapour trails that
the Red Arrows are famous for. These trails are used mainly for
flight safety reasons so the pilots can judge wind speed and
direction whilst performing their displays. However, the effects of
the trails also look good, enhancing the show for the audience on
the ground.
Please note all
information is correct at the time of publishing. Flights and
timings are subject to change, prevailing weather conditions and
operational requirements.