Within the league of military aerobatic teams, the ROYAL AIR Force's Red Arrows definitely take a very special place. Not only because they belong to
the absolutely best of this genre for 36 years now, but also because the Reds really belong to the hard workers in the business. Since 1965 they have performed no less than 3478 displays (till 2001!). This is a record that
no other aerobatic team manages to equal. The Reds are actually very popular in their native country, although they are never as frenetically applauded as for example the Frecce Tricolori in Italy. The reason for this is
undoubtedly the British understatement, and definitely not a lack of understanding from the people. For historic reasons, Great Britain has a very close relationship to its Air Force, and consequently it is no wonder
that one can see the eyes of the British spectators gleam whenever the RED ARROWS, the pride of the Royal Air Force, perform their marvellous show in the sky.
The formation of the Red Arrows consists of 9 (Red 1 to Red 9) BAe Hawk T.Mk.1a aircraft, which is the standard advanced jet trainer in the RAF
inventory. This small, but very manoeuvrable and reliable aircraft has replaced the Folland Gnat which had been in use with the Red Arrows until 1980. A tenth Hawk (Red 10) is used as a spare. In total, the team consists
of approximately 100 servicemen and women, which make sure that things are running smoothly, from the flying display to aircraft maintenance, logistics, public relations, etc. Home base of the Reds is the RAF base
Scampton, an airfield that rose to fame when the famous No. 617 Sqn. “Dambuster” flew their attacks on the Eder- and Moehnetalsperren in WW II from this base.
At the end of every season, the team transfers to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where they prepare in intense practice units (up to three training displays
per day) for the upcoming air show season. During this time, the new team members are integrated into the team. At the end of the training phase, the team receives the official permission to take part in public flying displays
from the RAF Commander in Chief, but only after he had been able to convince himself during a flight as a backseater, that the skill and professionalism level of the team meets all requirements. To become a
member in this probably most elitist club within the Air Force, the future Red Arrows pilots have to fulfil a number of demands. Apart from a flawless flying career, one needs to have a minimum of 1500 flying hours on fast jets
as a basic prerequisite for qualification.
Every year, the RAF counts between 30 and 50 applications for the Red Arrows, but only nine of them will be short-listed. After several days of
training with the Reds in Cyprus, where every candidate has to fly in all different positions within the team, and after intense talks with the team leader, the active Red Arrows pilots themselves decide which applicants will
be accepted to the team for the upcoming season. A pilot can remain a maximum of three years with the Red Arrows before he will return to his basic unit. The only exception is the leader, who can be a Red Arrows
member for six years, three as a “normal” pilot, and three more as the leader. Currently, the Red Arrows are led by Squadron Leader Patounas.
The 2001 display comprises a number of different, fantastic formations, formation changes, solo displays, and other breathtaking manoeuvres.
Actually, the Reds choose one of three different displays depending on the weather situation and the airspace which is cleared for their display. If the meteorological conditions are excellent, the Full Display will be performed
which includes all the vertical manoeuvres (as, for example, the Heart to Double Rolls). If the cloud ceiling is no higher than 5500 ft, a slightly modified display, the so called Rolling Display, will be performed, and if the
cloud ceiling is at 2500 ft, the Reds will show their Flat Display.The British Aerospace Hawk T.Mk.1a is the standard advanced jet trainer of the Royal Air Force. Thanks to its versatility the Hawk turned out to be an export
success too, as the number of 17 countries in which the Hawk is operative clearly shows. Apart from its trainer role it is also offered as a lightweight ground attack version (Version 100), or as a single seat multi
-role combat aircraft (Version 200).
The largest customer is the US Navy which uses a heavily modified version for aircraft carrier training. It is license-built by Grumman and is designated as T-45 Goshawk.
Robert Kysela / managing editor
Release 4.0/2008
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