Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team

Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team
Unit name	Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team
Caption	The team's British Aerospace Hawk T1 aircraft in formation.
Dates	1965–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Aerobatic team
Role	Public display, recruitment
Size	9 display pilots, over 100 support staff
Garrison	RAF Scampton (1965–1995, 2000–2022), RAF Waddington (1995–2000), RAF Wittering (2022–present)
Nickname	The Red Arrows
Colours	Red, white, blue
Colours label	Team colours
Aircraft fighter	Folland Gnat (1965–1979), British Aerospace Hawk T1 (1979–present)

Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. Known globally as the Red Arrows, it is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force and one of the world's premier aerobatic teams. Formed in late 1964, the team made its public debut in 1965 and is renowned for its close-formation and synchronised flying, serving as a public face for the RAF and British engineering. Based originally at RAF Scampton, the team is a symbol of British precision, excellence, and international cooperation.

History

The team was officially formed on the orders of the Air Force Board in late 1964, drawing its first pilots from existing RAF display teams like the Yellowjacks and the Black Arrows. Its first public display was at Little Rissington in May 1965. The unit quickly became a fixture at British airshows and began its first overseas tour in 1966, visiting Libya and several NATO countries. A significant milestone was the 1979 transition from the Folland Gnat to the British Aerospace Hawk T1, which provided greater power and reliability. The team has been based at several stations, including a period at RAF Waddington in the 1990s before returning to RAF Scampton, and later moving to RAF Wittering in 2022 following the closure of its historic home.

Aircraft

The team's first aircraft was the Folland Gnat, a nimble jet trainer previously used by the Yellowjacks. Painted in a distinctive red scheme, the Gnat served from 1965 until 1979. It was replaced by the British Aerospace Hawk T1, a more powerful and robust aircraft also used as an advanced trainer by the RAF. The Hawk remains in service today, each aircraft meticulously maintained by the team's engineering squadron. The aircraft are modified with a smoke generation system using dieseline to produce the team's iconic red, white, and blue smoke trails.

Display routine

A typical display lasts about 22 minutes and features a constantly evolving sequence of formations and manoeuvres. The routine includes the famous "Diamond Nine" shape, dynamic rolls, and opposition passes. Synchronised manoeuvres like the "Tornado" and the "Vixen Break" showcase exceptional timing. The display culminates in the crowd-pleasing "Vixen Break", where the aircraft peel off in sequence, and the iconic "Heart" shape is often formed. All manoeuvres are flown within a strict display box for public safety, coordinated by the team leader flying as Red 1.

Team members

The team comprises nine display pilots, all volunteers selected from front-line RAF squadrons, each with significant fast-jet experience on aircraft like the Eurofighter Typhoon or Panavia Tornado. Pilots typically serve a three-year tour. The team is led by the team leader, known as Red 1, with Red 6 serving as the synchronised leader for the second half of the formation. A dedicated team of over 100 engineers, technicians, and support staff from the RAF Aerobatic Team Engineering Squadron ensures aircraft serviceability. The team also includes a senior engineering officer and a public relations officer.

Notable appearances

The team has performed at countless major events worldwide. Domestically, it is a centrepiece of the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough Airshow. It played a starring role in the opening ceremony of the 1977 Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II and the 2012 London Olympics. Internationally, the Red Arrows have conducted major tours, including a historic 10-week tour of the Far East in 2016, visits to China and the Gulf states, and regular performances across North America and Europe, often as part of British trade and diplomatic missions.

Accidents and incidents

Tragedy has struck the team on several occasions. In 1971, two Folland Gnats collided during practice at RAF Kemble, killing both pilots. A fatal crash occurred in 1988 when a British Aerospace Hawk T1 crashed at RAF Scampton. In 2011, a Hawk crashed at the Bournemouth Air Festival, killing the pilot, Flt Lt Jon Egging. Another pilot, Flt Lt Sean Cunningham, was killed in an ejection seat incident at RAF Scampton later that year. Most recently, in 2018, a Hawk made a forced landing in Essex after a bird strike, with the pilot ejecting safely. Each incident is subject to thorough investigation by the Military Aviation Authority.

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