What's the future of the Red Arrows?
Originally Posted by Flying Lawyer
There were several squadron and FTS teams in the 1950s and early 1960s....... the RAF disbanded them all in 1964 ...............
A number of FTS display teams lasted well into the 1970s. Linton Gin/Blades, Manby Macaws, Cranwell Poachers, Red Pelicans etc.
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spekesoftly
You are of course correct.
I meant to say that the squadron (not FTS) teams were disbanded but, on reflection, I'm reluctant to repeat that because I'm not 100% sure it's correct.
Two friends of mine would be less than impressed by my mistake. One led the Poachers for a few years and the other was Poacher 3.
Part of the 1971 brochure:
FL
You are of course correct.
I meant to say that the squadron (not FTS) teams were disbanded but, on reflection, I'm reluctant to repeat that because I'm not 100% sure it's correct.
Two friends of mine would be less than impressed by my mistake. One led the Poachers for a few years and the other was Poacher 3.
Part of the 1971 brochure:
FL
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231 the Canberra OCU had the Green Marrows in the 80s about the time of the 40th Anniversary.
Is Ian Macfadyen, mentioned above in the Poachers the same AVM who may be talking to Air Britain in London next month about RAF Stanley in 1982?
Is Ian Macfadyen, mentioned above in the Poachers the same AVM who may be talking to Air Britain in London next month about RAF Stanley in 1982?
It would make sense.
The likes of Courtney will know for certain, but as I recall it IM was OC 29 Sqn when they deployed (in part) to Stanley post the "conflict".
The likes of Courtney will know for certain, but as I recall it IM was OC 29 Sqn when they deployed (in part) to Stanley post the "conflict".
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Thought I recognised the name, just had a look at my logbook and I've flown with him. He was an AVM at the time so must be the same bloke.
Absolutely correct. That is indeed the same Ian Macfadyen that was OC29 in 1982 and Governor of Windsor Castle. Plus many impressive posts in between. A true gent and a fine officer.
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The Macaws were regular visitors to RAF Manston in the early 70's in their JP4's ...
Image Credit : MOD RAF Publication : D Layne
Here are a couple of links concerning the various JP Teams mentioned ...
RAF JP Teams 1
RAF JP Team Brochures
PPRuNe JP Teams 2007 Thread
Image Credit : MOD RAF Publication : D Layne
Here are a couple of links concerning the various JP Teams mentioned ...
RAF JP Teams 1
RAF JP Team Brochures
PPRuNe JP Teams 2007 Thread
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 18th Feb 2014 at 08:13.
Gentleman Aviator
Goodness, Coff. John Aldington there. Another gent from way back.
And don't forget the Vipers from 2 FTS @ Syerston. (oops - ought to read the links!)
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50th Anniversary tail now revealed. Very striking. It'll look great on all nine
displaying jets.
displaying jets.
RAF Red Arrows Unveil New Tail Fin Design for 50th Display Season
Originally Posted by Wander00
John Aldington I recall from Binbrook early 80s
He also has the distinction of being one of the two pilots to make the final Lightning flights in RAF service when along with Paul Cooper, they flew the last two F.6's out of Binbrook on 30th June '88, delivering them to Cranfield.
Last edited by GeeRam; 18th Feb 2014 at 20:11.
For those that knock the Red Arrows and think their demise won't be noticed.
It appears that this years display in Torbay has been pulled for scheduling reasons. Torbay residents 'aint happy...
It appears that this years display in Torbay has been pulled for scheduling reasons. Torbay residents 'aint happy...
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...part time 4 ship Typhoon team under the OCU (of course with extra funding and people)
It's not a new idea. I discussed this with the team many years ago when some people had suggested a small team using Tornado F3. The logistics of using combat aircraft just doesn't add up. The cost of personnel and support would evidently be no less that for the whole team of Hawks, and naturally a team of four Typhoons wouldn't have the same public appeal, so the whole idea was/is a non-starter as far as RAFAT were concerned. The ugly notion of using Tucanos was also thrown-around but as far as I could determine, nobody took the idea seriously - thankfully!
I guess that post-Reds, the best that could be hoped-for is perhaps a four-ship Typhoon display sometime, as part of a major show or something like that, but certainly not a full 15-20 minute aerobatics sequence repeated every summer weekend. Nine-ship jet aerobatics will probably be a relic from history before too long, and I'm sure the same will apply to overseas teams too.
It's not a new idea. I discussed this with the team many years ago when some people had suggested a small team using Tornado F3. The logistics of using combat aircraft just doesn't add up. The cost of personnel and support would evidently be no less that for the whole team of Hawks, and naturally a team of four Typhoons wouldn't have the same public appeal, so the whole idea was/is a non-starter as far as RAFAT were concerned. The ugly notion of using Tucanos was also thrown-around but as far as I could determine, nobody took the idea seriously - thankfully!
I guess that post-Reds, the best that could be hoped-for is perhaps a four-ship Typhoon display sometime, as part of a major show or something like that, but certainly not a full 15-20 minute aerobatics sequence repeated every summer weekend. Nine-ship jet aerobatics will probably be a relic from history before too long, and I'm sure the same will apply to overseas teams too.
Have we all forgotten the beautiful co-ordinated display sequence between a BBMF Spitfire and a Tornado F3 ? ( Rick P-E flying the latter).
Two birds with one stone?
Two birds with one stone?
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Once upon a foggy distant memory, many sqns had display teams of course. But I have to accept it's neither economic nor realistic these days, dammit.