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Red Arrows at RAF Scampton - 26th October 2007 - Part 1 - Simon Oldfield

Airshow Photographs

2007 Red Arrows pilots

2007 Red Arrows pilots

Red Arrows at RAF Scampton - 26th October 2007

Photos by Simon Oldfield

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows fly nine BAE SYSTEMS Hawk T. Mk.1 advanced trainer aircraft. They are currently based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

The Red Arrows display team was formed in 1965 using the Folland Gnat. Previously the team was called the Yellow Jacks because of the colour of the Gnat aircraft that was used. However in 1965 the Gnat was painted red and the team changed their name to the Red Arrows.

The very first display by the Red Arrows was on the 6th May 1965 at RAF Little Rissington, near Cirencester where they were introduced to the media. The first public display was at Clermont Ferrand in France on 9th May 1965 and the first UK public display was at Biggin Hill on 15th May 1965.

The Red Arrows were initially based at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, and had only seven display pilots. By 1968 the team flew with nine aircraft and the Diamond Nine formation became their trademark.

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

In 1979/80 the Red Arrows converted to the BAe Hawk advanced trainer aircraft which they use today.

Until early 1976 the Red Arrows operated from RAF Kemble as a detachment of the Central Flying School (CFS) based at RAF Little Rissington. CFS moved to Cranwell in April 1976 and, thereafter, the Red Arrows were parented by RAF Brize Norton although they continued to fly from Kemble. They were based here up until the Spring of 1983 when they re-located to RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. In 1995 they had to temporarily move to RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire because RAF Scampton was closed in 1995 as part of the Defence Costs Study. The Red Arrows returned home to RAF Scampton in December of 2000. RAF Scampton continues to be a satellite airfield administered by RAF Cranwell.

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

The team's first leader was Lee Jones who passed the leadership to Ray Hanna in 1966. Ray led the Red Arrows for four seasons and went on to become the best known UK warbird display pilot.

The 2007 Red Arrows pilots are :

Red 1 - Sqn Ldr Jas Hawker Team Leader
Red 2 - Flt Lt Ben Murphy
Red 3 - Flt Lt Andrew Keith
Red 4 - Flt Lt Greg Perilleux
Red 5 - Flt Lt Damian Ellacott
Red 6 - Flt Lt Jim Turner
Red 7 - Flt Lt Paul O'Grady
Red 8 - Sqn Ldr Scott Morley
Red 9 - Sqn Ldr Martin Higgins
Red 10 - Flight Lieutenant Andy Robins

The 10th Red Arrow which is flown by the Road Manager provides commentry during the display. Red 10 also provides display co-ordination and is the Team's dedicated ground safety officer, making sure that conditions are suitable for a display. The 10th Hawk is also used for air to air photography of the rest of the team and can also be used as a spare aircraft.

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

pic by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

All photograph copyright / credits: Simon Oldfield

Click Here to continue to part 2.




Photographs

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows

photo by Simon Oldfield
Red Arrows