New Reds fin design...
 

...unveiled tomorrow - Wednesday 25th Feb... :ok:

...although I gather that it is already been on lots of spotters' sites already (despite requests for it to be kept under wraps).

You can wrap it up in whatever you want, the display will still be the same old boring regurgitated act that it has been for years.
The only good thing going for them is they normally indicate when it is time to be heading for the carpark.








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I kind of lost interest after they got rid of the Gnat...

http://s57.photobucket.com/component...pse7c3627a.jpg

NutLoose

I'm happy to report that there is every indication that the Great British Public do not share your jaundiced views of airshows and of the RAF's public ambassadors in particular, which you never lose an opportunity to repeat. If you don't like airshows, stay away and keep quiet about it. You are BORING.

I enjoy airshows and have for years, indeed I go to many and photograph loads, but the Reds are a product from a bygone era, and slapping a different scheme on them can never reinvent the wheel. There are far more exciting and impressive displays about these days.

Pilot's Pals eh! I like the Reds aswell.:)

According to Sky News it is

It mentions the "one-off tailfin design brought in for 2014 to mark the Red Arrows' 50th display year" but is this really the first livery change?

Red Arrows Reveal Historic Tail Fin Redesign

Are they being sponsored by British Airways?

Snazzy camo life preservers. The pilot mentions plugging it into the oxygen systems as well as his mask. Do they have pressure jerkins now?

A friend was here during his 60th birthday and on the big day I took him out into the garden at around 9.45am. Spot on cue the Patrouille de France roared over puffing smoke and I hinted that I had laid the flypast on for him.

When they did the same for the following few days he twigged and I had to tell him that they did it most days on their way up to their practice airfield at Plan Dieu. ;)

Nice idea to use the Union Flag in that way. However, to my eye the top part doesn't look quite right without a second blue segment.

Anyway, good luck for the 2015 season, RAFAT!

No, the oxygen hose is just routed via the jacket. The lower end of the jacket has a common fitting to attach oxygen, g-suit and comms to the seat. The top end attaches to the mask.

Apparently it's a government measure to start phasing out Scotland.

Thanks BN. I thought I heard him say his jacket inflated but on looking again it's clear he meant his trousers and just misspoke.

It should have been obvious from the PEC that things haven't moved on that much since I squippered on Hawks but as some of the last items I worked on were Combat Edge and EF2000 pressure waistcoats I wondered if they had made it to service. :ok:

It does look a tiny bit EDL ish.

Mrs Exascot says that it looks like British Airways! Looks fine to me. However what did the re-branding consultant charge the MOD for said design?

Well, you know how it is, not easy...

PR Team Leader: 'Now, let's try and think up something that encompasses all things British.'

Gofer: 'Union flag?'

PRTL: 'Brilliant..an excellent idea! So, what design should we use?'

Gofer: 'Erm...well, it's sort of fairly standard..'

PRTL: 'Hmm..yes, I agree We need some focus-time. I think a villa in Sorrento should help clear the mind. I'll take Clarissa, Victoria, Olivia and Georgia. We'll call you with the result.'

Gofer: 'Uh..OK'

Three days later, Gofer picks up the phone...

PRTL: 'It's me. God how we've agonised over this one BUT we're going to paint a curvishy-type Union Jack flaggy thing on the sticky-up bit at the back'

Gofer:'Riiight..'

PRTL: 'Get on with that would you and ask accounts to send the invoice
£250k as agreed. We'll be back next week - must get a bit of relaxing in now..bye-eee'

I think the tail looks rather good. Perhaps we should be grateful that we don't have the tacky corporate Royal Air Force with roundel insignia which is appearing on other aircraft.