View Full Version : New Red Arrows Boss
BBC: (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/6101560.stm) New Red Arrows' team leader named
A man from Thornbury near Bristol has been chosen as the new team leader of the world-famous RAF Red Arrows. Squadron Leader Jas Hawker, 35, is expected to command the 100-strong squadron for the next three years.......
Mr Hawker was educated at The Castle School in Thornbury. Whilst there he was a member of his local Air Training Corps and gained an RAF sixth form scholarship. He joined the RAF immediately after completing his A-Levels. After training, his operational flying career began on the Tornado GR1 ground attack aircraft.......
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42258000/jpg/_42258652_sqn_ldr_jas_hawker300.jpg
Megaton
1st Nov 2006, 08:06
And well known for truly lifelike chipmunk impressions :) Jas: if you're reading, you'll know what I mean!
HAL9000
1st Nov 2006, 09:38
:) A thoroughly nice chap as well.
airborne_artist
1st Nov 2006, 10:01
Pity the Reds' cabs are made by BAEs - I'd like to have heard Sqn Leader Hawker in the Hawker-Siddeley Hawk.
Vifferpilot
1st Nov 2006, 14:06
Top chap...well liked on the GR force.
Congrats mate! :ok:
Tombstone
1st Nov 2006, 15:15
Agreed, top fella.
Well done matey.
He could have made more of an effort to smile in the photo though! Maybe the new RAFAT Manager was in the background winking at him, that would put me off. :eek:
Why would the new RAFAT Manager winking at you put you off? Am I missing something?
jumpseater
1st Nov 2006, 21:57
A few pics of today from 'Rolfy's mate...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/2012images/_B6O5388.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/2012images/_B6O5356.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/2012images/_B6O5343.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/2012images/_B6O5332.jpg
Come on Tombstone, what's the gossip about the RAFAT Team Manager?!
Tombstone
14th Nov 2006, 15:04
Not wanting to be dragged through the halls of EO, I shall simply say...
No comment.
www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teammanager.html (http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teammanager.html)
Rossian
14th Nov 2006, 15:17
Tombstone Cheap, no VERY, cheap shot. Post us a self portrait so that we can gaze on your Adonis looks?
The Ancient Mariner
Nige321
14th Nov 2006, 15:22
Mmmm...
Think Thunderbirds...here... (http://www.thunderbirds.acc.af.mil/06enlistedhtms/walker.htm)
N
movadinkampa747
14th Nov 2006, 15:26
What about her............
http://www.thunderbirds.acc.af.mil/07OfficerHTMS/3.htm
Tombstone
14th Nov 2006, 15:34
Tombstone Cheap, no VERY, cheap shot. Post us a self portrait so that we can gaze on your Adonis looks?
The Ancient Mariner
I never said a word!
AonP asked for some gen on the RAFAT Mngr & I obliged.
I actually know her quite well & am confident she won't bite so fear not, I'm not being malicious.
Megaton
14th Nov 2006, 15:36
Right wing does it for me.... http://www.thunderbirds.acc.af.mil/images/06officers/3high.jpg
Better looking than any of the Reds any day. Does she have special matching Thunderbirds underwear?
WhiteOvies
14th Nov 2006, 15:40
So how long til you get a female Red pilot? Or is that not allowed??:E
HP - do the TB's fly a different number system? In our quaint country No 3 is on the left. Mind you, she could go wherever she wants as far as I'm concerned.................................
Does No 4 fly in the 'box'?
ProfessionalStudent
14th Nov 2006, 15:42
Tell me no-one pressed the High Resolution button on the first one?:yuk:
Please.
Gwladys
14th Nov 2006, 19:17
I add my congrats to Jase. Really top bloke - thoroughly deserved.:D
AlanM
14th Nov 2006, 19:27
Tell me no-one pressed the High Resolution button on the first one?:yuk:
Please.
http://www.thunderbirds.acc.af.mil/images/06enlisted/walkerhigh.jpg
threepointonefour
14th Nov 2006, 19:32
Holy mother of !!!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
" MODERATORS !!!!!!! "
threepointonefour
14th Nov 2006, 19:34
... actually, I think I know someone who would :ok: ... !!!
AlanM
14th Nov 2006, 21:11
Let's face it, even BOAC would.....!
I do hope I don't get banned AGAIN for a rude remark to my fave Mod
Wyler
14th Nov 2006, 21:12
I have known Paula for years. Top girl. I think it is especially nice of her to keep Red 10 & Red 11 down the front of her jumper. :ok:
You are safe, Alan - my mouse is still smoking........................:)
ShyTorque
14th Nov 2006, 22:33
Hey Alan, like the new wig but you've smudged your lipstick...... ;)
Runaway Gun
14th Nov 2006, 22:38
Damn my new widescreen 25 inch monitor !!
AlanM
14th Nov 2006, 22:53
Hey ShyT.....
... You rotary boys would be pleased with that!!!
(and behave or I will put a high-res pic of you on here!!!!)
Well done BOAC.... see... I knew I could find your sense of humour..:)
(take cover)
bombedup6
15th Nov 2006, 12:38
Bah, Humbug!
Sorry, but its close to Christmas.
I still don't get why people wax so lyrical about the Red Arrows.
Skill? yes. Pretty? Yes. But representing the capabilities of the best front line combat aircraft in the RAF? No.
A handful of training planes swanning about the sky might be a test for the top pilots, but its hardly a best use of taxpayers money, or has sent youngsters stampeding to the recruiting offices. What young RAF wanna-be Top Guns have ever said "I want to grow up to be in the Red Arrows!"
I know the argument about money and aircraft availability and turning circles . But lets at least TRY to take a leaf out of the books of our American friends and use five or six front line combat aircraft.
Lets face it, when the Vulcan was still flying it easily outpolled the Red Arrows as the top pull at air shows.
Tombstone
15th Nov 2006, 12:53
I can't see how using 5 or 6 (plus spares) front line a/c would be of any more value for money for the tax payer than using the current number of Hawks.
The Reds don't cost much in real terms.
Aeronut
15th Nov 2006, 13:12
Lets face it, when the Vulcan was still flying it easily outpolled the Red Arrows as the top pull at air shows.
Despite being a fan of the Vulcan, I doubt that.
bombedup6
15th Nov 2006, 14:20
Tombstone
Air Forces exist to represent flying POWER. If you want flying SKILL you'd be better off assembling a nine-ship formation of Fireflys, Grobs or Extra 300s.
Aeronut
Public surveys of air shows by the Save the Vulcan organisation in the 91-93 time frame showed the Reds were indeed second to the Vulcan (which attracted far more interest from women).
If the Reds are so hugely popular why have they quietly been moved from the Finale of air shows to much earlier in the display schedule? Because too many people were already back at the car park or well on their way home by the time they took to the air.
The problem is the Red Arrows have become a fixed, Establishment part of air displays, a tradition supported year in and year out by people and organisations who don't really know any better. The French, Italians and others do the same and so we accept this as Blue Ribbon Standard, which it is not.
If only the public could see the F-16s of the USAF Thunderbirds or the F/A-18s of the USN's Blue Angels put through their paces they might well demand something of the same from the RAF!!!!
Runaway Gun
15th Nov 2006, 15:43
And the public would LOVE paying twice the airshow entry fees to cover the costs.
Oh wait a minute - US military airshows are free....
Human Factor
15th Nov 2006, 16:42
A handful of training planes swanning about the sky might be a test for the top pilots, but its hardly a best use of taxpayers money, or has sent youngsters stampeding to the recruiting offices.
Maybe, maybe not. However, I'd venture they've been pretty influential in selling Hawks around the world, including to the navy of a certain large country which isn't renowned for buying stuff it hasn't built itself.
Megaton
16th Nov 2006, 10:01
bombedup6,
Can't be bothered with reasoned argument so let's just say you're talking out of your ar5e!
ProfessionalStudent
16th Nov 2006, 10:19
But lets at least TRY to take a leaf out of the books of our American friends and use five or six front line combat aircraft.
Lets face it, when the Vulcan was still flying it easily outpolled the Red Arrows as the top pull at air shows.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/Vortex999/RA.jpg
6/9 of theses would go down a storm don't you think?
Aeronut
16th Nov 2006, 10:38
Public surveys of air shows by the Save the Vulcan organisation in the 91-93 time frame showed the Reds were indeed second to the Vulcan (which attracted far more interest from women).
That bunch with the Vulcan would say that though wouldn't they.
I think you are having an out of body experience.
ProfessionalStudent
16th Nov 2006, 11:13
Now that could really help exports of the Typhoo...
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/Vortex999/astyraba.jpg
You never know...:D
ProfessionalStudent
16th Nov 2006, 11:25
And then of course (just like the Blue Angels), they need their own support ac...
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/Vortex999/Image1.jpg
IŽd love to see how that C-130 casts that shadow........
Wycombe
16th Nov 2006, 11:44
Like it, future use for "snoopy" perhaps?
You missed off the JATO bottles!
Gainesy
16th Nov 2006, 11:55
http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/DCB30256-6E1C-46CB-AB06-3793F1F4DEFB/0/typhoon1.jpg
Firebirds anyone?
If only the public could see the F-16s of the USAF Thunderbirds
Yeah, that always was their problem, formation changes three counties away from the crowd line...:E
Megaton
16th Nov 2006, 12:26
Yeah, that always was their problem, formation changes three counties away from the crowd line...
And huge gaps in the show while they're doing it.
BTW does anyone else think this thread has become a waste of bandwidth?
jindabyne
16th Nov 2006, 13:28
Probably after Post 3 or thereabouts-----
bombedup6
16th Nov 2006, 14:16
Close-minded peasants.
Love the pictures, though!
jindabyne
16th Nov 2006, 16:09
We agree about the pics - but what's a close-mind??