"Red Arrows"

The Red Arrows were formed in 1965 as part of the Central Flying School. Their first base was RAF Fairford, Glous, now home to the Royal International Air Tattoo. Their first mount was the diminutive Folland Gnat T1 advanced jet trainer. They flew a seven ship upto 1968 when two further aircraft were added and their now trademark diamond nine was first flown. They transferred to the BAE System Hawk T1A over the winter period 1979/1980. The Hawk has taken the Team on tours of Eastern and Western Europe, the USA, the Middle and Far East, Africa and Australia - in all the Red Arrows have displayed in 50 countries. Normally each pilot, including the Leader, stays with the Team for three seasons, and in this way maximum expertise is retained within the Team from year to year. The 2008 team pilots have been announced as:-

• Red 1 - Wing Commander Jas Hawker
• Red 2 - Flight Lieutenant Simon Rea
• Red 3 - Flight Lieutenant Mike Ling
• Red 4 - Flight Lieutenant Graham Duff
• Red 5 - Flight Lieutenant Andrew Keith
• Red 6 - Flight Lieutenant Pablo O'Grady
• Red 7 - Squadron Leader Ben Murphy
• Red 8 - Flight Lieutenant Greg Perilleux
• Red 9 - Flight Lieutenant Damo Ellacott

Official Website: http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/

2008 Red Arrows Display Calendar

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