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The first half of their display consists of
aerobatic manoeuvres performed by all nine aircraft flying a variety of
different shapes. Six and seven spend most of the first half in line astern on
the leader, forming what is called the stem. In the second half the Synchro Pair
split off from the other seven aircraft to perform their crosses, these are
interlaced with the splits and rejoins of the main section. In previous years
all nine aircraft would rejoin for the Parasol Break as the finale to the show. |
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The Red Arrows fly as two loose formations of five
aircraft when transitting between displays. The Team Manager flies the spare.
For many years now the front five have been nicknamed "Enid" after the famous
five books by Enid Blighton. Six to ten are known as Gypo which comes from the
word Gypsy. Perhaps this was due to the appearance of some of the pilots. 1979
was the last year that the Team flew the Gnat. The British Aerospace Hawk became
the RAF's new jet trainer and the Red Arrows converted to it during the winter
of 79/80. The Team began the 1980 display season with the new aircraft and a
brand new color scheme. In 2008 they changed the small letters "Royal Air Force"
from the nose to large letters just above the wing.
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Seventy-five support personnel are required to
keep the Team airborn. Six of these are involved in administration and planning,
commanded by a Warrant Officer. |
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The remainder are engineers, of which 25 are
designated as First Line and 41 are Second Line. First Line are responsible for
servicing the aircraft away from the home base. They are commanded by a Flight
Lieutenant Engineering Officer (Eng 1), who flies, together with nine of his
engineers, to the displays, and collectively they are known as Circus. The
remainder, if required, will travel by road. Second Line are responsible for the
in-depth maintenance back at base and are also commanded by a Flight Lieutenant
Engineering Officer (Eng 2). |
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In the 43 years that the Team has been in
existence it has displayed in fifty countries. They perform over one hundred
displays each year and have totalled more than 3400 to date. The 1000th show was
flown in the summer of 1977 at Greenham Common. Nine years later the 2000th
display was achieved in front of holiday crowds at Bournmouth sea front. The
3000th display was performed over the estuary at Dartmouth in August 1995. The
Team has always fulfilled its role in promoting a positive image of the Royal
Air Force and as an aid to recruiting, but more recently they have been called
upon to promote the British Aerospace industry through displays at home and
abroad. |
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The Red Arrows, through the many displays they
perform each year, have become a household name and there is almost no one in
the UK that does not know who or what they are. It is true to say that following
recent tours to Africa, Asia and North America they are also becoming a
worldwide name. This is a rare position to hold and should ensure that the Team
remains a useful asset for many years to come. |
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