Red Arrows facing 'major changes', says aviation expert
 

'Leading industry magazine Jane's Defence Weekly said propellor-driven or even frontline planes like the Typhoon might be used.

It also predicted cuts in defence spending could affect the team.'

And this is news?

BBC News - Red Arrows facing 'major changes', says aviation expert

FF

It won't be a Tornado Display Team, they'll need a fleet of 90 to get 9 serviceable once a season!:oh:

Well, Fox Four, this discussion has been going on for years in one form or another. The Arrows have always been a bit of a sacred cow, ending up getting whatever they say they want because they are such good advertising for the RAF and British industry.

Regarding the replacement jet trainer, I would say we've seen this all before. Nothing will happen until it's almost too late, Hawk T1 gets extended, new buy comes along late. I would imagine that we will decide to go for a jet because of the handling characteristics of Typhoon , Tornado (for a while) and the futue jumping bean (if it ever comes). The Arrows will end up being equipped from that inventory.

A Tucano (or it's repalcement or similar) just wouldn't cut it. What image do we need to promote? The front line used to do stuff like this, but that was in Hunters when pilots were getting a hundred hours a month and we had more aircraft than we could shake a stick at. The Reds are the best in the world (can't believe I just said that) because of the hours of dedicated practice they get and having dedicated jets - so no competition between sqn training, QRA, ops, display flying, etc.

Not sure how we man (or woman) them now, though. The Harrier boys always used to insist that they were the only people that could possibly do the job!:cool:

Better hide about 20 Harriers before they're given away to the USMC , what a brilliant display team 9 Harriers would make ! Fit a smoke system & you're away !:eek::hmm:

I thought they already had one, a Pegasus. :}

Yes well , something to make it into pretty colours .:ok:

grandfer

Be careful - you will only wake up WEBF again.

I'm willing to take that chance .:ouch::eek::mad:

props or front line types ?
 

Props ? - how about a 9 ship Spit' team :D

Personally I think a 9 ship Harrier team would be a top idea - VIFF - GO !
Be great to see :D
(just need to resurrect the Harriers to operational status again but that would require common sense so stand down that plan :sad:)

Contract it all out to Red Bull.

I organised our BFTS grad flypast in 1986. We got:
4 Harriers, who did a formation "bow"
2 lightnings doing their square turn homesick angel routine
a phantom
a JP display
and a recce Jaguar that took pics for us.

You wouldn't get those numbers or variety at an airshow now.:sad:

I give the arrows 5 years in this financial climate:{

Been giving them "5 years in this financial climate" for yonks now. It all gets so political when you try to raise it as a point. For years I was answering those stupid bean counters' demands to "Justify the existance of 100 Sqn", "Justisfy two squadrons at Valley", etc. If I even tried to reply that the answer's bleedin' obvious and why don't you ever question the Reds, I used to get shot at dawn. Happened to me three times!

Fox3

Its only 4 years to the Red Arrows 50th Anniversary - they first performed in 1965.

In that case let us hope the RAF marks the Golden Jubilee - for the Silver 25th the Service declined and the Trustees of the Red Arrows Trust, with the magnificent support of RAF Scampton, organised the event.

The Reds have had a savings option run against them every Planning Round for at least the last 4 years - they've survived every time.

By the sound of things they will end up with one of these:
http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/images/1067151M.jpg
I flew this one and it was a lovely aircraft to fly - until someone planted it upside down in a field. :{
PS, there is nothing wrong with a C152 Aerobat - just it doesn't quite fit in with the image of the Red Arrows. :(

I cannot believe you said that either......they are darn good....but "best"?

As good as any without a doubt....but first place gets a bit hard to claim as there is a lot of difference between the Top Place Teams.

When the Angels and T-Birds were flying Phantoms....now that was impressive! The wee tiny things the Reds sport about in....well...well....they are cute aren't they!

And they missed every time, wow!

Are you suggesting heavy metal? If so it would probably only be a pair.

When I were a Lad we had the following Teams:-

1 FTS - Gin Four

2 FTS - Vipers

3 FTS - Gemini Pair

6 FTS - Cocks O' the North

RAFCAW- Macaws

RAF College - Poachers
Cranwell