Team History

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, was initially based at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, then a satellite unit of CFS. The first team had seven display pilots and were equipped with the Folland Gnat jet trainer. At the end of their first season, the Team had performed 65 displays in Britain, France, Italy, Holland, Belgium and Germany and were awarded the Britannia Trophy by the Royal Aero Club in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the field of aviation.

When it was decided to continue the Team in 1966, two spare pilots were established but the Team continued to fly just seven aircraft in displays. The practice of carrying spare pilots proved unsatisfactory because the display is so specialised that each position has its own demands and requires much practice to perfect. A spare pilot, who must be capable of filling any position at very short notice, requires more training than any other member of the team, and as a result becomes more skilled. He then becomes dissatisfied with his role as a reserve.

In 1968 the Team was increased in size to nine and adopted the classical Diamond Nine formation which has come to represent the peak of precision flying: it is now the Team’s Trade Mark and is recognised world-wide.

The Red Arrows took delivery of the Hawk trainer in the Winter of 1979/80. During that Winter the pilots converted from the Gnat and worked up a display using the new aeroplane in time for the 1980 Summer Display Season. Since being introduced into service with the Red Arrows, 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.

A Hawk Trainer of the Red Arrows

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 Synchro Pair, Reds 6 and 7, perform the highly popular solo manoeuvres in the second half of the display. They provide extra excitement and ensure that there is always some activity going on in front of the crowd whilst the Team Leader is re-positioning the remaining aircraft for their next flypast. There is one other qualified Hawk pilot, Red 10, the Team Manager. He flies the 10th Hawk to displays away from base, ready for use in case one of the others becomes unserviceable, but he never flies in public displays. The Manager gives the commentary at air displays during Red Arrows’ performances.

The World Famous Diamond Nine Formation
of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team the Red Arrows

             1. The Early Days                   2. Into the Jet Age

          3. A Plethora of Teams            4. The "Reds" Arrive

Team Photo Archives – 1965 to date

Countries in which the Reds have Displayed

Previous Red Arrows pilots

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