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Yeovilton International Air Day

The Team were at their home base of RNAS Yeovilton on 7 July for the famous International Air Day that is now an annual and much aclaimed event on the UK airshow calendar. Aside from the many display teams and aircraft that participate each year, the Yeovilton display always ends in a huge role demonstration by a variety of Royal Naval, Marines and RAF aircraft. This year was no exception, with the crowd being thrilled by the massive spectacle. The Black Cats flew a superb display in the bright sunshine, the first really good flying day of this season, and the team were enthusiastically applauded by the large crowd. All pictures by C. Redgrave, with thanks for thier use.

The Team run in to display, the Yeovilton tower bedecked with a cheerful welcome Pulling up in line abreast........before pitching down together steeply

A quick stop in front of the crowdTurning together Very close together!

The trademark steep cross, a Black Cats specialityHow close the Team fly is astoundingBowing to the crowd

08 July 2007

 

Cosford Air Show

The weather affected the display yet again for the Team as they flew into the RAF station at Cosford in Shropshire. Heavy low cloud threatened to cancel the display at one point, but it cleared sufficiently for the Team to fly a full display, and what a display it was. Close crosses, close formation manoeuvres being the order of the day and earning a spontaneous round of applause from the delighted crowd. Both aircraft were agian HAS Mk 8s, but the special paint scheme aircraft was in maintenance. However it will be back for the next display at Kemble on 17 June. Also new for Kemble, it is hoped the Team display trailer will be making its first appearance, so look out for it there.

The very close crosses drew gasps from the crowdWhat a crowd it was! Nearly capacity on the airfield and off it.815 Squadron provided a static display aircraft and sold Black Cats memorabilia, as well as allowing visitors a look inside a Lynx

10 June 2007

 

Southend Air Show - Day 2

The weather didn't get any better, but the Team flew another superb display in the difficult conditions. The heavy rain of yeasterday had been replaced by a strong and gusty 30 knot plus wind! Fortunately, this was an off-crowd wind, but coming off the cliffs meant that it was extremely turbulent in the display area. Despite this, the Team flew an excellent show and ace photographer Maurice McElroy was on hand to capture the action. His pictures appear below. The next Team report will be from RAF Cosford on June 10.

The conditions over the Southend seafront were extremely murky! Gaz in a verticalA very close cross!

Flypast in line abreastBowing to the crowdThe Team in the carousel

Crossing in front of the crowdRaising the seaspray in front of the pierExit stage right, the new colour scheme attracting much positive comment

28 May 2007

 

Southend Air Show - Day 1

The Southend Air Show has rightly become a major event in the annual display calendar, attracting as it does Britain's second largest air display crowd over its two days of the May Bank Holiday weekend. Unfortunately, this year's show got off to a very wet start! Heavy rain, gusting winds and low cloud made flying conditions difficult, but by no means impossible for the Black Cats, who flew their full display to the large and appreciative crowd. Many of the other participants were also able to display, as conditions began to improve gradually, and it is hoped that Sunday's weather should be much better. Highlights of Saturday at Southend Airport, the host base for the seafront display, can be seen below, Sunday's show will be reported on tomorrow night, from the seafront.

The 2007 Team flew an impromtu display for the crowd at the AirportThe Black Cats in line abreastManoeuvring around the airfield

Close manoeuvring in the pouring rain!Gaz accelerates awayThe Team closes to land on

Pairs landingThe new Team vehicle is hugely useful for the ground crewAs soon as the Team land, the ground crew carry out maintenance and tie the aircraft down for the night

27 May 2007

 

Duxford Spring Air Show, Cambridgeshire

The Duxford Spring Air Show is one of the traditional air show season openers, and is usually a terrific mix of historic and modern participants. This year was no exception, bringing together the best of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF alongside the vintage warbirds that are based at Duxford. This years show fell on the 20th May, twenty-five years to the day that the first British troops landed on the Falkland Islands to reclaim the territory from the Argentine invasion forces. The show inclucded nearly all of the major types that operated during the campaign, the Lynx, Commando, Chinnook, Gazelle, Scout and Wasp representing the rotary winged aircraft, the Beaver and the Canberra the fixed wing. There was a massed flypast of the types and a minutes silence to remember the fallen of the Falklands War, a fitting way to close the commemorative show. The Black Cats flew a superb display as part of the show, and were well supported on the ground by their support vehicle and new simulator, where the public can experience what it is like to fly in the display. All in all, a superb way to open the 2007 season, the highlights of which can be seen below:

The 2007 Team meet a young fan!The ground support team and vehicle made a big impression.As did the new Black Cats Lynx simulator ride!

The mounts for Duxford were a pair of Lynx HAS Mk8s, 673........and 671, resplendent in the new Black Cats special display scheme.The new scheme is applied to both sides.

A close up of the Lynx head designLifting offCrossing over the Royal naval Historic Flight's Sea Fury

In the carouselPulling up hardLanding back next to the Commando

20 May 2007

 

Black Cats Livery for 2007!

The 2007 Black Cats Lynx Mk8One Lynx Mk 8 has now been painted in a stunning new 2007 Black Cats scheme and it looks great! The aircraft is still an operational aircraft at 702 SQN and can quickly be repainted and deployed at sea if needed.

 

 

 

16 May 2007

Black Cats Validation

Lt. Gary McCall, Commodore J H Stanford and LtCdr Lars Harpoeth witness the signing of the 2007 validationCommodore J H Stanford Royal Navy was present at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton on Friday 11 th May to witness the Black Cats’ display. In his capacity as Assistant Chief of Staff Carrier Strike Aviation the responsibility of validating all Royal Naval Flying Displays fall into his remit. Despite the best efforts of the weather to dampen proceedings, the display went perfectly to plan after 27 hours of intensive flying practice over the preceding months to achieve the high standard necessary. The Commodore then awarded the team with their richly deserved coveted black display overalls and validated them to perform in front of the public for the forthcoming display season.

16 May 2007

First news of 2007 - new livery and supporters!

2007 promises to be a hugely exciting year in the continued evolution of the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team. For the first time in it's history the Team will have a specially designed paint scheme for the display circuit. It incorporates the 2007 badge, and involves over 50% of the helicopter being painted in a black and grey design, which mimics the fur of the Lynx wildcat. Initially, a Lynx Mk8 will be painted, followed at a later date by a Lynx Mk3.

Accompanying the Team throughout the year will be an industry funded Black Cats high definition motion simulator which will allow the general public to experience exactly what the Royal Navy aircrew experience during the demanding display sequence. It is a world first and promises stunning graphics combined with stomach churning motion, along with a voiceover that is exactly what the Team use to co-ordinate their manoeuvres.

For 2007 the Black Cats have attracted corporate support from both national and local industry. Babcock, an international defence contactor, is providing the Team with a fully liveried crew/support vehicle that will travel to all locations that the Team display at. In addition, the Team have received a fully equipped PR and merchandising trailer that will accompany the support vehicle and provide a focal point on the ground for The Black Cats.

The Team are also proud to become Breitling Ambassadors for the forthcoming season. They will be wearing the Breitling Avantage aviators watch as well as sporting the famous Breitling logo on their T-shirts. Locally The Black cats are supported by Robert Frith Optometrists of Yeovil who will be providing the Team with Ray Ban eyewear for 2007 and beyond.

24 April 2007