RAF's Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows

RAF's Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows
Unit name	The Red Arrows
Caption	A Hawker Siddeley Hawk T1 of the team in its distinctive livery.
Dates	1965–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Aerobatic team
Role	Aerobatic display and public duties
Size	9 display pilots, plus engineering and support staff
Garrison	RAF Scampton (1965–1995, 2000–2022), RAF Waddington (1995–2000), RAF Waddington (from 2022)
Equipment	Hawker Siddeley Hawk T1
Nickname	The Reds
Motto	Éclat (French: "Brilliance" or "Excellence")
Colours	Red, White, Blue
Commander1	Squadron Leader Tom Bould (2024 Team Leader)

RAF's Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows are the premier aerobatic display team of the Royal Air Force, renowned globally for their precision flying and distinctive red Hawker Siddeley Hawk jets. Formed in 1965, the team was created to standardise and professionalise the public display of Royal Air Force aviation prowess, amalgamating several previous squadron-based teams. Their iconic Diamond Nine formation and dynamic, smoke-trailed manoeuvres have made them a symbol of British engineering, skill, and international ambassadorship, performing for millions of spectators worldwide each year.

History and formation

The team was officially formed on 1 March 1965 at RAF Fairford, drawing its initial pilots and engineers from previous display units like the Yellowjacks and teams from 111 Squadron and 92 Squadron. The first team leader was Squadron Leader Lee Jones. The decision to create a permanent team was driven by the Air Council and senior officers, including Air Chief Marshal Sir Augustus Walker, who sought a single, world-class team to represent the Royal Air Force following the retirement of the last Hawker Hunter team. The name "Red Arrows" was chosen in a vote among team members, beating alternatives like "Red Pelicans". The team moved to its famous long-term home at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire later that year, establishing a permanent base for its rigorous training schedule.

Aircraft and livery

The team initially flew seven bright red Folland Gnat T.1 trainer aircraft, a type chosen for its agility and responsiveness. In the winter of 1979-80, they transitioned to the Hawker Siddeley Hawk T1, a faster and more powerful aircraft which remains in service today. The iconic livery, known as "Epsilon Red", was developed by the team’s engineers and features a vibrant red paint scheme with white and blue stripes. The aircraft are maintained and painted by the team’s dedicated engineering squadron, with each jet requiring meticulous care to withstand the stresses of aerobatic flight. The distinctive Bristol Siddeley Viper engines produce the white and red smoke using diesel-based dyes injected into the exhaust.

Display team and manoeuvres

The team typically consists of nine display pilots, with the synchro pair (Red 6 and Red 7) performing close-quarters manoeuvres. Their display is built around the iconic Diamond Nine formation, a hallmark of their precision. Famous manoeuvres include the Tornado, where two aircraft perform a rolling loop in opposite directions, the Cyclone roll, and the spectacular Vixen Break. Each display is a carefully choreographed sequence of formations, rolls, and crosses, set to a commentary that explains the action to crowds at events like the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough Airshow.

Personnel and training

Pilots are selected from front-line Royal Air Force squadrons, having typically completed tours on fast jets like the Eurofighter Typhoon or Panavia Tornado. Applicants undergo a rigorous selection process at the Central Flying School before joining the team for a three-year tour. The team leader, known as "Red 1", is usually a Squadron Leader. Ground crew and engineers, vital to the team's operation, are also specially selected from across the RAF. Winter training is conducted over the Mediterranean Sea or in Greece to take advantage of reliable weather, honing the new display sequence before the UK season begins.

Notable displays and tours

The Red Arrows first performed outside Europe in 1972 with a tour of the United States and Canada. A landmark 42-day tour of the Far East in 1979 included displays in Hong Kong and Australia. They were the first Western display team to perform in China in 1986 and in Russia in 1993 following the Cold War. They played a prominent role in the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. Major overseas tours, often termed "Big Tours", are conducted every few years to nations such as India, Oman, and across the Gulf Cooperation Council states, acting as a tool of British diplomatic engagement.

Safety record and incidents

The team has experienced several fatal accidents throughout its history. In 1971, two Folland Gnats collided at RAF Kemble, killing pilot Flight Lieutenant David Hull. A mid-air collision during training in 1988 near RAF Scampton claimed the lives of two pilots. In 2011, Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging died after a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival. A non-fatal crash of a Hawk occurred at RAF Valley in 2018. These events have led to continuous reviews of safety procedures, training protocols, and aircraft maintenance regimes by the Royal Air Force and the Military Aviation Authority.

Cultural impact and legacy

The Red Arrows are a quintessential symbol of British national identity and engineering excellence, regularly featuring in major national events such as Trooping the Colour and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Their image is used extensively in tourism and trade promotion by the UK government. They have inspired generations of aviators and have a significant presence in popular culture, including appearances in films, television series, and extensive merchandising. As ambassadors for the United Kingdom, the Royal Air Force, and the British aerospace industry, their legacy is one of unparalleled precision, professionalism, and global prestige.

Category:Royal Air Force aerobatic teams Category:1965 establishments in the United Kingdom