Red arrows confusing display team make up

[teej013]

The 9 ship was the arrival fly by, prior to the break to join the circuit for landing.

Teej.

[Underfoot]

It's going to be quite the work up season this winter....

[Nil_Drift]

Knowing that the Reds are all about uniformity, the first thing I noticed about the groundcrew is the mix of footwear, brown and black. On a couple of front line squadrons last week I noticed a whole variety of uniform ... except it wasn't "uniform" but accepted styles of military clothing. Coupled with wide variations of beards, visible tattoos and hairstyles, the RAF is looking like a loose collection of workers than a uniformed branch of the military.

[The Oberon]

Originally Posted by Nil_Drift

Knowing that the Reds are all about uniformity, the first thing I noticed about the groundcrew is the mix of footwear, brown and black. On a couple of front line squadrons last week I noticed a whole variety of uniform ... except it wasn't "uniform" but accepted styles of military clothing. Coupled with wide variations of beards, visible tattoos and hairstyles, the RAF is looking like a loose collection of workers than a uniformed branch of the military.

They obviously don't get free Breitlings either!

[meleagertoo]

Originally Posted by stewyb

7 ship will become the norm moving forward, cost cuts and all that!

Can a formation of aircraft ever be flown in any other direction, or do the numbers/costs involved somehow affect this?

[airsound]

As far as the seven v nine situation is concerned, I now understand from someone 'close to the matter' that if an event organiser or flying display director is approved for a flypast they'll get nine, but the display will be seven. The extra two will be Red 10 and OC RAFAT. (So maybe Monty is hoping to persuade people to ask for flypasts?!) But anyway Cosford last Sunday, for instance, was seven.

airsound

[DuncanDoenitz]

Originally Posted by meleagertoo

Can a formation of aircraft ever be flown in any other direction, or do the numbers/costs involved somehow affect this?

As an ex-trembler, I would suggest that formations of less than 22 are definitely moving backwards.

(2 Pilots moving sideways notwithstanding).

[Davef68]

Originally Posted by meleagertoo

Can a formation of aircraft ever be flown in any other direction, or do the numbers/costs involved somehow affect this?

Helicopters can

[dfv8]

Originally Posted by sandiego89

You just cant drop that great picture on us rat without the story! When was that pic taken? Did you fly both the Gnat an Hawk on team display? Civy Gant painted up?

Is that G-MOUR?

[LOONRAT]

Yellow Gnat in formation with the Reds

Yes the aircraft is G-MOUR which I bought/ helped rebuild and flew on displays on behalf of David Gilmore in Uk and Europe for a few years. Invited by the team to visit and undertake some formation flying for publicity purposes, Rewarded with a trip with the team leader during a display practise. My second flight with the team having flown with them at Kemble in the 70's when I was seeking to join the team having led 2 Jet Provost teams in 73/74. I was unsucessful and left RAF and joined Rothmans Aerobatic Team and spent a good few years on the display circuit.

[dagenham]

A friend Was down at goodwood today and spoke to a member of the team and after a bit of squirming said they have a very clear direction from the higher ups on the culture expected in the RAF moving forward. Some can meet that expectation and some cannot… he left it at that

apparently a happier ship now so make of it want you will

[SLXOwft]

RAFAT flew past my (home) office window on their way to Goodwood yesterday. Couldn't help thinking the 5 in a V, gap, and 2 in echelon to starboard looked like a large missing men formation.

Busy few days for them, RAF Headcorn and back to Goodwood FoS today. (Weather permitting estimating the cloudbase)

Scarborough, & Cleethorpes with flypasts of Whitby & Filey thrown in before overnight in Bournemouth tomorrow, flying in the vicinity of my eldest's DofE hiking party. Wondering if OC RAFAT and Red 10 get to join in for the flypasts.

Back to Goodwood FoS and then Weston-S-M on Sunday.

Good to hear they're a happier ship. Don't want to know the details but I hope it was conduct prejudicial to the good order and discipline of the team not 'thought crimes' against Inglib.

[Arfur Dent]

Just seven Red Arrows

Is that it for Summer 2022? Saw them at Silverstone.

[Davef68]

Yes,two team members were redeployed (A third had to leave earlier for family reasons, but was replaced by a former team member)

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

What's the plan for replacing the aircraft? They've been around for a few years now.

[ZH875]

Originally Posted by Skipness One Foxtrot

What's the plan for replacing the aircraft? They've been around for a few years now.

Until British Aerospace have a new aircraft they need advertising, the Hawk T1 has plenty of spares to keep the BAe advertising team in their current mount.

[NutLoose]

If they can do a season with seven, it begs the question why do they need nine, think of the savings....

[Herod]

Originally Posted by NutLoose

If they can do a season with seven, it begs the question why do they need nine, think of the savings....

B*gger the savings, Nutty. We traditionalists need the nine back. Full Reds next season hopefully.

[Bing]

Originally Posted by Skipness One Foxtrot

What's the plan for replacing the aircraft? They've been around for a few years now.

I think the plan is not to be the Defence Secretary who 'Killed the Nation's Top Gun Aces!' in the eyes of the tabloids, while also not spending any money. Think of it like musical chairs for politicians.

[minigundiplomat]

Originally Posted by bonajet

That explains the recovery to a full nine but doesn’t explain why two more pilots have left, dropping the team to a 7.

Wrong pronouns maybe? Possibly too straight, white male for Wiggy the Woke?