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The Blue Eagles helicopter display team was formed by five instructors at the School of Army Aviation, Middle Wallop, in the spring of 1968. Using aircraft from the School, they gave displays in their spare time throughout the summer and the season culminated with the SBAC exhibition at Farnborough.

The success of the first season’s flying was such that the demand for a full-time display team was met the following year. Their unique and spectacular routines were seen at over 70 public shows throughout the United Kingdom, at events ranging from country carnivals to the Battle of Britain Anniversary air display. Over the next few years, the team’s programme continued to expand and by 1974 they were including venues as far apart as the channel Islands, Scotland and Germany.

The actual display routines were developed over the years and the team’s initial aircraft were standard Bell 47 Sioux helicopters.The six pilots were selected from operational squadrons in the UK ands overseas and they flew exclusively for the Blue Eagles from February to Octeober. No formal instruction in formation flying techniques was included in the Army pilot’s training and consequently all Blue Eagle pilots underwent eight weeks of intensive training and rehearsals before their first appearance in public.

Over the years the Corps realised it could not afford a full-time display team and thus the Blue Eagles were effectively disbanded. Fortunately, an enthusiastic group of instructors at Middle Wallop formed a volunteer, part-time team the following year and, under another name, continued the Army’s display flying, but this time their duties were carried out in their own time. The Army Air Corps display team has continued under the name: Eagles, Army Eagles, Sparrowhawks and for the AAC’s 25th Anniversary, the Silver Eagles. Flying a mix of aircraft including Sioux, Gazelle, Lynx, Scout and even incorporating the Army Historic Flight’s fixed wing Auster and Beaver, the team continued on a volunteer, part-time basis.

In 1992 the Eagles were equipped with 4 Westland Lynx helicopters and began to startle crowds with their incredible manoeuvres, however the training cost was too great as the Army needed more and more Lynx crews, and so, in 1993, the mix of aircraft became a more sustainable one Lynx and four Gazelles. This combination proved a winner as the team, under the name Silver Eagles, won the prestigious Wilkinson Sword at the International Air Tattoo at Fairford for the "Best Display by a UK Participant". Following an unbroken 28 years of Army display flying, the team was granted the honour of being allowed to return to its original title, Blue Eagles. Following in the tradition of the Army’s helicopter display team over the past quarter of a century, the Blue Eagles typify the qualities posessed by rmy pilots generally. Army flying is not about going from A to B. It is about using the aircraft to support troops on the ground. This requires a high degree of training, intense concentration, the ability to fly the aircraft instinctively and to work calmly under pressure.

All these facets of Army flying have been, and still are, exemplified by the Blue Eagles, whose display of professional skills is the hallmark of the Army Air Corps.