Just you do that. I was there too. One KC-135 in the hangar with a collapsed u/c. One broken VC-10. Det of Harriers and GR4s passing through. Don't believe all you're told. Masses of ramp space.

As a non-flying, non-taxpayer, student type, if there was one thing that has grabbed my attention about the RAF its the Reds ... sure they aren't be all and end all of the RAF, but my God are they the best publicity tool the RAF have. They do a cracking job and I know a lot of people who will travel hundreds of miles to see an Arrows display.

Jordan

There are at least two ex-Reds on PPRuNe that I know of so I expect you get a definitive answer soon.

Maple 01,

Having gone through Akrotiri a couple of times during the period you are talking about, Ham Phisted is correct. Lots of KC-135 (especially the one on it's nose!) and plenty of us trailing through, using up the ramp space. Didn't see a single red there and seem to recall a mate of mine going to St Mawgan during the shortlist week.

bootflap

That'd be the KC-135 that didn't have the wing on jacks...like the maint guy thought?

The Reds are Ok, but we always liked the RN Sharks better.

If the Reds are as necessary to the Air Force as suggested in previous replies, surely the RN needs its display team back to aid our flagging recruitment?

Si Click; any chance? 4 ship Merlin "The Blue Whales" perhaps...:E

Autorev,

That was a little uncalled for old bean.
I know the chap you refer to about the gong, but even he himself will tell you of his embarrassment at receiving it!! (he has told me that he got it because he was there, and so many had to be dished out - 'right place/right time' blah.

nevertheless, I know them all quite well, and have to say that they are a great bunch of blokes. No big egos, no big heads. just sheer unadulterated professionalism.

Like BEagle, I hope the bean counters don't look too close.
kind regards
TSM

...the rolling display?:)

Some get blase about the Reds. You should see the effect they have on a foreign crowd who have not seen them before. Stunned is a good fit.

There is no doubt that the Red Arrows are a professional group of top aviators...................but isnt it about time they became less boring? The same old displays, in the same old aircraft, at the same old venues and the same old posing.

As for the speed they fly the display at, I am sure that the speed is infinitely variable.

Perhaps it's time for a new paint job?

It's a shame that the Hawk looks so dull compared to the Gnat - and the dog's dick smoke pod doesn't help.

But it's only the Hawk itself which looks dull, the display is anything but. It is constrained by the huggy-fluffy rule makers after lesser teams' accidents, but pretty darn good nonetheless!

Thanks for all the answers everyone.:ok:

If the Reds are instantly recognised as elite and of the RAF which reflects to the greater good, perhaps we should all wear red flying suits?

At least it would stop us being mistaken for an aglab or BP tanker driver.

KENNYR

I would love to hear what changes you have in mind.

What would you do? How would you make them less boring?

Maybe a new thread? Red Arrow Changing Rooms Edition, get smiley smiley Carol Smiley and Lawrence Lovely-Ellen Bowen in to spice it up.

I still think they do a great job for UK PLC.

T

Or should that read "I still think they do a great job for British Waste-a-space".

Disband them and save a fortune, the Typhoon is enough to bring wannabee pilots to the recruiting office, 'Rise above the rest - at a speed in excess of Mach 1'

Having seen the paint job on the Hawk display, maybe the reds should take their hawks along to 'pimp my ride'*. Flash new paintjob, bling bling alloys and take the engine out to make room for some monster stereo!

* Perhaps that should be more correctly 'chav my ride' for a UK based team!

Tarnished, perhaps a change of aircraft type. Maybe they should try the Harrier where vertical aspects of the display could be included, dramatic speed changes, formation transitions etc.. I agree that they are synonymous with the Royal Air Force image but surely they can add some "spice" to the proceedings.