
Red Arrows.
GALLERY OF PHOTOS FROM THE SHOWS
The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the
aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force, based at RAF Scampton,
United Kingdom. They were formed in late 1964 as an all-RAF team, replacing
a number of unofficial teams that had been sponsored by various RAF commands.
The Red Arrows badge shows the aircraft in their trademark diamond nine formation,
with the motto Eclat, meaning "brilliance" or "excellence".
The Red Arrows were equipped with seven Folland Gnat trainers which were inherited
from the RAF Yellowjacks, display team. This aircraft was chosen because it was
less expensive to operate than front-line fighters. In their first season, they
flew at 65 shows across Europe. In 1966, the team was increased to nine members,
enabling them to develop their Diamond Nine formation. In late 1979, they switched
to the BAE Hawk trainer. The Red Arrows have now performed nearly 4,000 displays
world-wide in over fifty countries.


