Missed it unfortunately. Spent the time avoiding Pr*&s on the A31.

But what you have to remember is, the Reds would never have existed were it not for the Royal Navy. An emminent Defence Expert at the college of knowledge has written a paper that shows that without the RNs expertise in Officer of the Watch manoeuvres, the RAF would never have had a display team.


Corpen Starboard anyone?

Fair point indeed.

Wrathmonk makes a good point also about the publicity side.

They mentioned Chris Rodgers in the programme. If it's the same guy (and there can't be too many of them)I'd have thought his display pilot / Hawk background would have made him a cert....

I think that you're right, but if the Boss changes, then they will only select 2. Therefore, I suppose the Boss is due to change this year! Only a thought!:hmm:

Unfortunately i was otherwise engaged, and missed the programme. Does anyone know where i may be able to get a copy of it? Perhaps asking the BBC?

Cheers,

Nick

It was interesting to see how the selection process is made. Apart from the awful music is had some really good photography.

Julia Bradbury (not bad but Suzy Perry would always get my vote) mentioned on a couple of occasions that the Red Arrows sole function was recruitment and PR for the RAF. I remember many years ago as a very lucky Space Cadet on work experience with RAFAT and CFS at Scampton being told that their main function was to market UK PLC (and help BAE flog the odd Hawk or ten). Recruiting and PR was secondary. Has that changed?

By the way, if anyone with a red flying suit wants to swap their day job for my 777, they're welcome.;)

:)
Beagle - As it happened she did ask me why they were 'dressed funny'. God it made me feel old.

But the bit she did like was the flying, even if I was a tad disappointed she asked me 'why is the green bit above them ?' when they were inverted.

What followed was based on a bit (lot) of Vino, limited knowledge of inverted flight and not a small amount of WW2 war films as my hands tried to describe formation flight upside down.

Needless to say that by the time I had finished explaining it all and telling eveyone how I could have been a FJ pilot, the room was very, very quite.

In the words of the Sun reporter faced with paying for a 'special massage' I made my excuses and left.

That would indeed make sense, Dick is leaving the Reds this year.

That will be Wing Commander Dickie P I understand.

STH

Yea Jim was a member of that said VGS i had a good chat to him when i visited Valley on an atc camp, he even strapped me in to the hawk as he got the flight for me.

I am going to have to ask the 30 something 'shallow as a tea spoon' question and ask ' so who nailed Julia then?



Well I would....given half a chance..and she'd have to pretty pissed to go for me!!
HM

Great programme - love 'em or hate 'em it's refreshing to see some good publicity for the RAF. That should keep the AFCOs busy for a few weeks! :D
Well done to the participants, despite having to suffer their disappointment on camera.

I shared a room with Jim during IOT. He was a former VGS pilot and went Jags from memory.

There was this one time, after a night out in Lincoln when Jim ended up :mad: :mad: with :mad: . How we laughed.

If you are really desperate to see it, I still have it on the Sky+ box and could put it on to DVD for you.

Nice to see someone I knew from my days as a cadet achieve his ambition (well almost).

Did anyone hear the presenter say that the vc-10 was the fastest airliner in the world is that true??

M0.94 if the spoilsports at BAe take away the speed restriction. Normally M0.84, M0.866 if the pub is beckoning.

I was a staff cadet and instructor at the same time as Jim Woodward was on 632 VGS at Ternhill and I have several issues with Jim:


1) How in the name of Lucifers slippers does he manage to look just as young as he did when he was 21 at 31? Git.

2) It was an article of faith amongst all on 632 that, some day, Jim will be in the bleedin Red Arrows - so he's better re-apply pronto.

3) A nicer fellow I think I've rarely met.


Enjoyable programme, interesting insight and comiserations to those who "failed".

WWW

M0.94? Dream on......

The VC10K could certainly cruise at M0.88 indicated, but used a lot of fuel doing so. We used to take them to M0.91 during Full Air Tests, but only in a shallow descent. Can't remember what MNE was...M0.925?

Shared a room with a Jag mate, did you? Hmmm......

PhoenixDaCat ,

Check your PM's :)

Nick

Although not a great fan of the 'Reds' - I used to be in awe of their flying skills and although I would still acknowledge their awesome ability, I think there are fresher, more dynamic displays out there nowadays - the Reds are getting a bit stale. I thought the programme was a good PR for both the Reds and the RAF.

What disappointed me was the last 15 minutes when it descended into a bit of a boys club outing. Yes they have to work together for 3 years and hence get on, but what about 'ordinary' squadron pilots who have to put up with lack of equipment/hours/comfort when risking their lives in theatre?

I appreciate that it was a programme about the Reds, but everything said about cameradrerie and skills etc etc is, in my book, more than surpassed by the Pilots/Observers/Navs and Crewies doing a 'real' tour, as well as the ground grunts.

Felt certain that Kermit was going to get in - his comment about re-applying next year was very honest in my opinion - he is getting married (probably is by now); if he got in on that attempt, it would be something that him and his wife would have to factor in, but it would be a known quantity. Next year, as he would not have that commitment at the time, he might change his priorities because he could.

Many service people put their lives on hold for the job that they are doing at that point in time - they cannot be expected to do so (more so their dependants cannot), for a possible job in the future. What would the interview board rather have - the truth or a lie??

These pilots are first and foremost Officers in the Armed Forces, then pilots, then if lucky and deemed good enough 'Reds'. Maybe the boss of Reds has forgotten that he is first and foremost a servant of the Crown?

Overall a good programme. :ok: