Blue Eagles

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

Blue Eagles Team Displays – Waddington – 28th and 29th June 2003

Well then, here’s a change! Bright blue skies with a scattering of cotton wool cumulus at about 6,000 feet and the temperature is more akin to the South of France than to Lincolnshire. The crowd was even larger than on Saturday, so the Team caravan did roaring trade all day, particularly as the pilots arrived during the morning and were not displaying until 15:45. Alex, Jim and Naomi were beset with poster and brochure hunters as the whole Team were on hand to sign them and to answer the many questions about the Army Air Corps that came from the hundreds of interested visitors. The Gazelle cockpit again proved a big draw to the younger guests, all the Team pilots took a turn in explaining the controls to the excited future aircrew. The Historic Aircraft Flight also recieved some good news, their excellent display was voted second best in show by the Waddington control committee, a singular achievement in the face of stiff competition from some of the best Teams and solo displays in the world. The Blue Eagles display was a show-stopper on the Sunday. The success of the Saturday display in the face of a gusting wind and low cloud brought out the best in the pilots, and in the far gentler conditions of the Sunday they flew the best routine yet, the timing and the positioning being exact and precise. All in all, Waddington 2003 can be put down as a great success for all concerned!

Sunday 29th June

Young Oliver is now a big Blue Eagles fan and got everyone from the Team to sign his brochure.	Chris, in the centre, came to Waddington just to see the Lynx Backflip, and was delighted to meet Ray and his fellow Chris!
Neil O’Brien kept up his sterling work of the previous day in the Gazelle cockpit.	As did Sam, who was a mine of information regarding qualifications and the training procedures for Army pilots.
Indeed, Neil got completely swamped, and questions were coming at him from all quarters.	The HAF display begins with the Beaver, Scout and Allouette taking centre stage.
The Auster and Chipmunk in a close cross.	The Allouette and Scout run out, crossing under the Sioux, Chipmunk and Auster.
The Scout and Allouette in a VERY close cross!	The venerable Sioux proved to be surprisingly agile.
The Blue Eagles display began very well with the Lynx reaching an extreme angle!	Kav and Neil performed another perfect line-abreast pedal turn….
….which is rapidly becoming a trademark of their formation flying….	….as is the perfection of the Elphinstone Loops.
Dave and Sam run in from depth and break under the hovering Lynx….	….to form a perfect heart that the Lynx Backflips through.
Ray and Chris then take centre stage showing off the aerobatic qualities….	….of the Lynx in the Eagle 270 Roll….
….and the full Loop, which many pople believe a helicopter cannot do.	All four Gazelles run in from depth to perform the Cross-over Break….
….which as you can see here, was a beauty!	The crowd were enthusiastic in their applause as the Team bowed to them at the end of the show.

Click here to see the arrival and practice on Thursday’s press Day.

Click here to see the Ground Crew’s eye view of Saturday’s show.

Archived news is available by clicking here.

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