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A Guide To The RAF Red Arrows by Patrick Omari
The Red Arrows, a household name in the United Kingdom, are the official aerobatic team of the Royal Air Force. Their bright red Hawk jets can be seen every year in the skies above the U.K. and thrill and excite millions of people with their staggering displays of agility and precision.
History
The team is currently based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and were formed in 1964 (with the first display taking place on the 6th of May 1965). They were to be the replacement for several unofficial teams that had been lent support by the RAF before 1964, flying aircraft such as the Vampire, Hunter, Jet Provost and Lightning.
One of these unofficial teams were the Yellow Jacks, consisting of seven Folland Gnat trainer aircraft. These were taken over by the Red Arrows and repainted in their trademark red colour. The decision to use a trainer aircraft was taken due to cost, and ease of maintenance, compared with a frontline fighter from the era such as the English Electric Lightning.
The Red Arrows first season saw them perform 65 displays, all over Europe led by Red One (the position of the team leader) Lee Jones. Only seven aircraft flew with the Red Arrows initially when the first flying season began, which was to remain the same until 1968.
The decision was subsequently made for additional aircraft to be added to the display allowing a total of nine to be available. The Red Arrows to this day still display with nine aircraft, which permits them to fly in the 'diamond nine' formation - their most famous and iconic.
In the winter of 1979/80 the Folland Gnat was retired from service with the Red Arrows after performing in 1,292 displays, and a new aircraft was brought in as its replacement - the BAE Hawk.
The first shows using the Hawk were flown in the summer season of 1980 led by Red One, Brian Hoskins, with all the pilots adjusting well to the new opportunities the Hawk provided them with.
The Pilots and Crew
For the pilots, flying with the Red Arrows is usually a highlight of their flying career. Each pilot will fly with the team for a three-year tour of duty. The reason they are not permitted to stay longer is to enable the team to maintain a steady experience level, this optimisation is what the they feel works best to maintain the quality of the displays.
Many pilots will return to their duties with the RAF after completing their tour with the Arrows on aircraft such as the Tornado and Harrier.
The Red Arrows do have a tenth aircraft designated Red 10 that flies to airshows when there is a landing to be made by the team. Here it will act as a spare in the event of mechanical problems with one of the nine main aircraft. This Hawk is flown by the teams road manager who will often commentate to the crowds at the airshows.
His journey to airshows that do not have the Arrows landing or do not have a runway for them to land on can often be a little fraught. Whilst the pilots will fly to the airshow in their Hawk aircraft, he will have to make his way there on the ground to enable the commentary to be made, as there is nowhere for him to land Red 10! It has not been unknown for him to thumb a lift from a spectator to get him there in time!
Accidents and Incidents
The safety record of the Red Arrows is exceptional, however there have been some incidents over the years that have involved either the slight damage of the aircraft or the entire destruction of an airframe. Below is a list of the recorded accidents and incidents the Red Arrows have so far experienced in their history:
1969 - Two Red Arrows Folland Gnats crashed.
1971 - Two Red Arrows Folland Gnats collided whilst performing a cross-over pass.
1980 - During an airshow in Sussex one Red Arrows Hawk struck the mast of a yacht forcing the pilot to eject to safety resulting in the destruction of the aircraft.
1983/84 (exact date not available) - A Red Arrows Hawk (one of the Syncro Pair) crashed into the runway of the airfield it was displaying at breaking off the tail of the aircraft. The pilot experienced an ejection seat malfunction resulting in him not being ejected clear of the aircraft. Fortunately the seat broke free before the Hawk crashed and burst into flames.
1986 - A Red Arrows Hawk hit another in the rear whilst on a runway.
1987 - A Red Arrows Hawk crashed into a house while taking part in a practice flight. The house was located in Welton in Lincolnshire.
2007 - The wingtip of a Red Arrows Hawk struck the tail of another during a practice flight over the teams base at RAF Scampton.
Clearly the incidents above are very small considering the quantity of displays and practice flights the Arrows have made over the years. This shows the high standards that the team adhere to as well as there not being a single fatal accident recorded above.
Red Arrows Bases
The Red Arrows were initially based at RAF Kemble which was a satellite unit of the CFS (Central Flying School). The CFS were based at RAF Little Rissington at the time. The base allowed the aircraft to return for maintenance between displays.
In 1983 the Red Arrows moved to RAF Scampton but were forced to leave when the based closed in 1995 after cost-cutting measures by the RAF. The closure of RAF Scampton saw the Red Arrows move just twenty miles away to RAF Cranwell.
The close location of RAF Cranwell to RAF Scampton meant that the Red Arrows still used the airspace above RAF Scampton. This meant meaning that their former base had to keep its facilities and runway in a useable condition.
As a result of this - and other factors - the Red Arrows moved back to RAF Scampton on the 21st of December 2000. On the 20th of May 2008 it was announced that the Ministry of Defence would be moving the Red Arrows base once again, this time to RAF Waddington, ending their long-standing association with RAF Scampton.
Threats to The Red Arrows
Fans of the Red Arrows were concerned in 2004 when rumours began to circulate that they may be disbanded due to the cost of operation. The concerns had arisen after a defence spending review had uncovered that the cost of operation was between five and six million pounds every year.
Fortunately for the British public the Red Arrows were not disbanded as their cost was justified due to their public relations value as well as their ability to develop defence industry business.
The Red Arrows are also believed to be an excellent recruitment mechanism for the RAF. Their popularity was also confirmed by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair in 2007.
This insight into the Red Arrows has looked at their main points of interest as well as delving into their interesting history. The future of the Red Arrows currently seems secure as new generations discover the magic of one of the worlds finest formation display teams.
Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interest is in Southampton port parking and Manchester airport lounges.
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/A-Guide-To-The-RAF-Red-Arrows/468638
