Blue Eagles

Associated sites:
Army Historic Aircraft Flight | The Museum of Army Flying | Army Air Corps Recruiting

The Royal International Air Tattoo- 18th to 20th July 2003

After a red hot week of heat stroke inducing weather, everyone was looking forward to a display at the Royal International Air Tattoo that would take place in brilliant sunshine, but this is Britain in the summer, so basically, not a chance! Thursday’s transit took place under lowering skies, as did the practise display on Friday. The Team had a special job to do after the practise on Friday, to deliver some VIP’s to Fairford, of which more details and pictures below. Saturday dawned and was overcast, again! Oh well, so much for weather forecasts. The Team opened the show with a flypast alongside a towed banner celebrating the 100 years of manned flight, then launched straight into their display. It was another corker, despite a gusty off-crowd wind that tried to push everything to the right. Immediately after this, the Team departed for Silverstone and the British Grand Prix qualifiers, which sadly, due to techincal reasons beyond our control, we cannot bring you pictures of. While there, the Team were well looked after by Tania Baker from the Rockingham circuit, for whom they are displaying on their way back from Sunderland next Sunday. They then returned to Fairford to take part in the opening stages of tommorrow’s RIAT, so stay tuned for further details.

Friday 18th and Saturday 19th July

Ray, Chris and Sam departed in the Lynx on Friday after the practise display….	….and collected the famous singers Vikki O’Neill and Abs, who were looked after on board the aircraft by Sam.
Both Abs and Vikki were at RIAT to present prizes on the Youth Day, as well as to perform and thoroughly enjoyed the flight.	To Saturday now, and Ray gets the show off to a good start! 90 down while going backwards? How?!?!?!
Kav and Neil have really got their pairs manoeuvres down to a T, their syncho flying now looks effortless.	The display took place above an entirely appropriate foreground. Although it is predominantly an air show, RIAT is a tri-service event.
The Lynx pulls up to loop, right under the flag atop the recruiters stand.	Sam and Dave’s heart was spot on and hung in the air despite the gusty wind.
Somehow, the final flypast looked more fitting when seen either side of a self-propelled gun!	Other Army displays included this remotely piloted reconnaissance aircraft, catapult launched and net caught!
Speaking of displays, the Blue Eagles stand has changed markedly, with new graphics including Dave Bentley in weekend garb….	….and in his weekday working dress. Unlike the RAF, Army Air Corps aircrew are soldiers first, a fact many forget.
The new inner doors feature the whole Team….	….and information about the Corps as well as details for those interesed in joining.
The Gazelle cockpit now boasts a formation backdrop to give the impression of being part of the Team.	Other Army Air Corps displays include the mighty Apache, whose crew was busy all day showing visitors their aircraft.
The Gulf War display included this Royal Marines Gazelle, complete with camouflage backdrop….	….alongside this RM Lynx AH Mk 7, note the scoreboard under the pilots door and 2001’s Eagle 5, Bill Hughes, waving from the foreground! Bill flew many sorties daily during the conflict.
The Lynx AH Mk 9 battlefield utility version of the Lynx completes the Gulf display of Army aircraft. Note the wheeled undercarriage of this type.	Finally, the Team returned from Silverstone at the end of what was a very long and busy day!

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