INCIDENT AT VALLEY
Light years ago, when websites started to appear in a form that did not require an army of consultants to maintain them, the Committee of the large Yacht Club of which I was Secretary instructed me to set up a website, and were a bit miffed when I declined to do so. I explained that without adequate resourcing it was impossible to produce AND MAINTAIN a website that matched the prestigious face the Club sought to present to the outside world. "OK", they said, "we will do it with volunteers". Disaster. only a couple of years later with adequate cash and an adjustment to staffing did we produce anything like the requirement, and I spent significant time, which I could ill afford, checking that the website was up to date and most importantly the spelling was correct. The price of a good web site is eternal vigilance.
Its an expensive tribute using taxpayers money. It was a tragic accident and a former groundcrew myself I understand that but there are around 130 work related fatalities per year in the UK. I think that spending tens of thousands of pounds of someone else's money repainting an aircraft is not the right thing to do. I understand if you disagree.
This will need respraying in RAFAT colours.
If you find this so offensive, I will personally buy the tin of blue paint myself, and I'm sure many here will chip in too.
Happy?
Nige321 I heartily agree with you!
I can't think a better tribute quite honestly.
But I suspect it will never happen. Much more money to be wasted on 're-branding' for the centenary.
MM
I can't think a better tribute quite honestly.
But I suspect it will never happen. Much more money to be wasted on 're-branding' for the centenary.
MM
Gentleman Aviator
An absolutely top idea!! As we are reminded at the top of this (and every other) Mil Av page:
the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground
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I agree that the inclusion of a blue " Red Arrow " would be appropriate to recognise that the RAF is not made up of just Steely Eyed Fast Jet Pilots, but relies on the skill and dedication of those who support the front line.
However in the light of the abortion of a roundel to recognise the " 100 " will this not open the floodgates to include a Pink and Green one also??
However in the light of the abortion of a roundel to recognise the " 100 " will this not open the floodgates to include a Pink and Green one also??
A spare Hunter, painted blue, that clandestinely joins the formation, out of sight of the crowd.
Drama, surprise and poignancy.
A brief tribute that then allows the display to continue in character and visually unaltered.
Mjb
Mjb
Drama, surprise and poignancy.
A brief tribute that then allows the display to continue in character and visually unaltered.
Mjb
Mjb
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Maybe Red10's aircraft could be painted blue, to emphasise the support function. I understand that it's not going to be at every show, but......
Blue Hawk
Its an expensive tribute using taxpayers money. It was a tragic accident and a former groundcrew myself I understand that but there are around 130 work related fatalities per year in the UK. I think that spending tens of thousands of pounds of someone else's money repainting an aircraft is not the right thing to do. I understand if you disagree.
The Reds Hawks are rotated from other users eg 100Sqn to even the fatigue usage. No extra cost at all if next ‘rotated’jet is painted blue not red
They really were rotated through the fleet as described. The only difference now is that the flying fleet of T1s is very small compared to the days of Chiv + Brawdy + Valley + Scampton + assorted other users, so they typically come from storage these days. The modifications for RAFAT use are relatively minor and are detailed in the aircrew manual so any pilot can ferry them if required.
When I was doing my training at Chiv the fleet was painted in air defence grey, but every so often an ex-red Hawk would be rotated and absorbed into the TWU fleet, giving you quite a disadvantage in a visual fight if you were allocated the bright red jet.
When I was doing my training at Chiv the fleet was painted in air defence grey, but every so often an ex-red Hawk would be rotated and absorbed into the TWU fleet, giving you quite a disadvantage in a visual fight if you were allocated the bright red jet.
Modifications for smoke are extensive and require the aircraft to be surveyed and bespoke kits manufactured by BAeS. May not be much difference to fly the aircraft but you can’t simply rotate through standard T1s.
Megaton
Ex SEngO RAFAT
Megaton
Ex SEngO RAFAT
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Anyone arguing with ex-SEngO RAFAT? 
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As i learned my trade in the RAF (13 years A tech P) which has given me the grounding of a now LAE several types and top Management(Beyond what I ever thought I could achieve) please also count me in.
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There was a Service of Remembrance for Jonathan Bayliss at Lincoln Cathedral on the 20th April.
https://twitter.com/rafredarrows/sta...37860385828866
add
https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/n...uneral-1481874
https://twitter.com/rafredarrows/sta...37860385828866
add
https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/n...uneral-1481874
Last edited by roving; 25th Apr 2018 at 08:29. Reason: added second link
That is BS. The Reds aircraft are highly modified for their role. Aircraft from storage are occasionally taken from Shawbury and re-roled to the RAFAT fit but this is a fairly lengthy process. It’s not possible to rotate aircraft from other users although XX156 was painted in RAFAT colours and very occisudonally used as the spare to spare but only in non-smoking positions.
I think there have been one or two other non-smokers over the years