Originally Posted by
BEagle
That didn't work for 'The Firebirds' 60 years ago and would be hardly likely to work today.
I suspect there were all sorts of serviceability issues, but I do remember a Firebirds formation 'twinkle roll' that looked very good to a young Air Cadet at the time.
Mind you the ATC could rise to occasions if required, and did so at a Swanton Morley Aero club display in the 60's.
An unlikely combination of two Cadet MK3 and a Slingsby Swallow.
The Mk3's were aero towed into position by a couple of Tiger Moths and the Swallow was winch launched up between them on the run in.
No practice or briefing other than the winch driver was instructed by a pye radio in the cab.
No one had realised that the radio was inaudible with the winch engine running and therefore the lone staff cadet had to 'wing it' so to speak and give it full chat when it looked right.
The Mk3's/ Tigers hove into sight and then the Swallow was launched through the gap and slightly behind at which point the Tigers broke off and the Swallow slipped into the lead (no doubt with suitable use of the air brakes). This unusual formation then proceeded to do a couple of descending formation turns over the field and then broke with the Swallow giving a fly past. The fretwork fighters were stars of the day, and had included Ladley and King who no doubt wished they still had their Tempests, Hurricanes, and Spitfires to play with. The lone winching staff cadet in true ATC tradition was of course forgotten and had to walk back to the hangar. In fact later in the week he was rewarded by being sent off in the Swallow as a treat, and a wonderful treat it was !!!