Reds Diamond Season and 60th

[SLXOwft]

I felt old when I read today that the Red Pelicans finished in 1973 - I recall a brief childhood encounter with a courteous gentleman pilot on his way to his JP at a Woodford Airshow..

Last year was the 70th anniversary year of the Patrouille de France who appear to be soldiering on with the Armée de l'air et de l'espace's remaining Alphajets rumours of a switch to a PC-21 team notwithstanding. The Frecce Tricolori are still supposed to be receiving the M-345 to replace their M-339s. Is it just we are and are governed buy a bunch of grumpy, miserly s*ds?

I must say the RKOAF Black Eagles looked very smart when the flew over my part of Hampshire in 2022. The Hawk T-1s are positively youthful compared with the Snowbirds' mounts, the Tutor having finished as an active RCAF trainer in 2000.

Just some idle thoughts. I do think if the funds had been found replacement by tranche 1 Typhoons with a secondary AD role (presumably coupled with a smaller display calendar) would have made sense.(they could have reactivated 79 Squadron and painted red arrows down grey fuselages )

[Diff Tail Shim]

Originally Posted by BEagle

Prohibiting practising simulated emergency procedures whilst carrying passengers should be the first step towards risk reduction.

Not the first time training objectives overiding common sense has caused loss of life. Will not be the last.

[Diff Tail Shim]

We need a new advanced trainer, so please the next government get the useless BAES to do a replacement. Oh, pulled out of the TX programme so not a chance. I am for keeping the Reds as they still excite our kids. The ones we need to join up.and be the engineers and pilots.

[beamer]

After forty years plus flying the same type of aircraft……time for a change methinks !

[VM325]

Sidmouth and now Rhyl have cancelled this years airshows, both citing the lack of RAFAT availability due to them departing for Canada at the end of July.

Make of that what you will, but they organisers obviously think they are the main draw...

Both shows say they will be back in 2025.

[OvertHawk]

Originally Posted by Diff Tail Shim

We need a new advanced trainer, so please the next government get the useless BAES to do a replacement. Oh, pulled out of the TX programme so not a chance. I am for keeping the Reds as they still excite our kids. The ones we need to join up.and be the engineers and pilots.

I think you might excite them more by giving them decent houses to live in with their families and reassuring them that if they join up as Pilots then there is a reasonable chance that they will actually be trained as pilots within a reasonable period of time rather than spending half their RAF careers doing pointless holding jobs.

[621andy]

Looks like the Patrouille Suisse are on the way out too... https://www.flugrevue.de/militaer/ha...und-noch-mehr/

Also the Belgian F-16 Viper solo team is no more...https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https...tn__=%2CmH-R&c[0]=AT33c_mDyzpOoGT3EcH_mTOkcP7cTmXYpS_dea_TFcxQC0_OaOUC4yPLogi uCnjM-q_L8cjHxSzZ_rnfVafAikmFu5ba1th9INHzDWO2FZD9l24jSGTYAoB1iGs2f Q1LwQceuDYNPBgbHXHEvR9NiEBAlK7rzG4kRgD4Rk93ptYeUmep1FM2WBmib dIpC5vXsg343oGzTYiu

[Maxibon]

How about a UAV aerobatic team - the Grim Reapers....

[Diff Tail Shim]

Originally Posted by OvertHawk

I think you might excite them more by giving them decent houses to live in with their families and reassuring them that if they join up as Pilots then there is a reasonable chance that they will actually be trained as pilots within a reasonable period of time rather than spending half their RAF careers doing pointless holding jobs.

I concur with your assessment on the fact that the MFTS is screwed and it is ridiculous that pilot training is not seamless like the old days. I do personally know one of the Reds and his flying career has been blighted by holding posts and gaps between flying tours. Accommodation as well that is well below sub standard.

[ancientaviator62]

If the rationale for the 'Reds' is UK recruiting for the RAF then why are they going to Canada ? It cannot be to showcase the Hawk surely. Who is funding this trip ?

[LogDog]

Originally Posted by ancientaviator62

If the rationale for the 'Reds' is UK recruiting for the RAF then why are they going to Canada ? It cannot be to showcase the Hawk surely. Who is funding this trip ?

RCAF 100th anniversary, but no idea who is funding it. Its not like the CAF are flush with defence spending.