Multi-element formations were relatively common in those days. I just missed participating in the 101 formation for the graduation of the last cadet entry at Cranwell. We still flew "figure" formations after that, but I think that the last of those was for 9 GE. They were replaced by standard Diamond 9s with Diamond 16s thrown in for Royal Visits and similar.
When you included airborne spares, whip, deputy whip and photo aircraft the numbers could get quite high. I recall being in the last section to recover off a flypast rehearsal (we stayed in sections and carried out formation circuits) and being cleared to land with 18 ahead. Those were the days!
YS
