Originally Posted by
Hangarshuffle
Use Typhoons instead? Something new, better. Let the UK taxpayers see what their hard earned pays for.
Reduce the formation to say, five.
Paint them red, but keep them within the admin of a proper operational RAF squadron.
The only way forward, far as I can see. Sorry but I think the old way is past it.
The 'old way' was, in fact, to nominate a fighter squadron as the RAFAT - hence the Black Arrows, Blue Diamonds (Hunters), Tigers and Firebirds (Lightnings). This was hugely expensive and, in effect, rendered a fighter squadron non-operational for the duration of their time as the aerobatic display squadron.
It seems that your concern is that the Red Arrows reduce the operational effectiveness of the RAF. If so, then your proposed solution would have a direct, negative effect upon the operational effectiveness of the RAF several orders of magnitude greater than continuing to operate an RAFAT with nine Hawk T1s...