Holy mother of !!!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:


" MODERATORS !!!!!!! "

... actually, I think I know someone who would :ok: ... !!!

Let's face it, even BOAC would.....!

I do hope I don't get banned AGAIN for a rude remark to my fave Mod

I have known Paula for years. Top girl. I think it is especially nice of her to keep Red 10 & Red 11 down the front of her jumper. :ok:

You are safe, Alan - my mouse is still smoking........................:)

Hey Alan, like the new wig but you've smudged your lipstick...... ;)

Hey ShyT.....

... You rotary boys would be pleased with that!!!

(and behave or I will put a high-res pic of you on here!!!!)

Well done BOAC.... see... I knew I could find your sense of humour..:)

(take cover)

Bah, Humbug!
Sorry, but its close to Christmas.
I still don't get why people wax so lyrical about the Red Arrows.
Skill? yes. Pretty? Yes. But representing the capabilities of the best front line combat aircraft in the RAF? No.
A handful of training planes swanning about the sky might be a test for the top pilots, but its hardly a best use of taxpayers money, or has sent youngsters stampeding to the recruiting offices. What young RAF wanna-be Top Guns have ever said "I want to grow up to be in the Red Arrows!"
I know the argument about money and aircraft availability and turning circles . But lets at least TRY to take a leaf out of the books of our American friends and use five or six front line combat aircraft.
Lets face it, when the Vulcan was still flying it easily outpolled the Red Arrows as the top pull at air shows.

I can't see how using 5 or 6 (plus spares) front line a/c would be of any more value for money for the tax payer than using the current number of Hawks.

The Reds don't cost much in real terms.

Despite being a fan of the Vulcan, I doubt that.

Tombstone
Air Forces exist to represent flying POWER. If you want flying SKILL you'd be better off assembling a nine-ship formation of Fireflys, Grobs or Extra 300s.
Aeronut
Public surveys of air shows by the Save the Vulcan organisation in the 91-93 time frame showed the Reds were indeed second to the Vulcan (which attracted far more interest from women).
If the Reds are so hugely popular why have they quietly been moved from the Finale of air shows to much earlier in the display schedule? Because too many people were already back at the car park or well on their way home by the time they took to the air.
The problem is the Red Arrows have become a fixed, Establishment part of air displays, a tradition supported year in and year out by people and organisations who don't really know any better. The French, Italians and others do the same and so we accept this as Blue Ribbon Standard, which it is not.
If only the public could see the F-16s of the USAF Thunderbirds or the F/A-18s of the USN's Blue Angels put through their paces they might well demand something of the same from the RAF!!!!

And the public would LOVE paying twice the airshow entry fees to cover the costs.

Oh wait a minute - US military airshows are free....

Maybe, maybe not. However, I'd venture they've been pretty influential in selling Hawks around the world, including to the navy of a certain large country which isn't renowned for buying stuff it hasn't built itself.

bombedup6,

Can't be bothered with reasoned argument so let's just say you're talking out of your ar5e!

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...rtex999/RA.jpg
6/9 of theses would go down a storm don't you think?

That bunch with the Vulcan would say that though wouldn't they.

I think you are having an out of body experience.

Now that could really help exports of the Typhoo...
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/astyraba.jpg

You never know...:D

And then of course (just like the Blue Angels), they need their own support ac...

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...999/Image1.jpg

I´d love to see how that C-130 casts that shadow........