India, the team members were all front-line pilots. When a squadron was allocated display duties the primary role might be compromised, but balanced throughout the year. This was easier to achieve in the Hunter days than with the Lightning – where the need for intercept / night flying had to be biased to the winter (non-display months).
Formation flying was a normal requirement thus there was not a great need for additional training.
Generating 9 – 10 aircraft from one squadron was difficult and often involved trading with engineering spares or other squadrons. In the late 60’s the OCU at Coltishall generated a 16 ship formation – 18 aircraft, spare plus solo aero, on two days for BB show. Only one practice for a ‘flat show’ and then the real thing.
Coltishall also generated 28 Lightings for an AOC flypast – box 4s, plus spares, wipper-in and solo.
Fuel was always limited, no tankers, thus a quick low level flight and back to base – 30/40 min.
Farnborough shows were probably flown from Odiham nearby.