The Red Arrows

 

was the subject of the fascinating November talk given to the members of Barton-on-Sea Probus by Colin van Geffen, of the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association.

Colin, an accomplished aviation and marine artist talked about the origins of RAF display teams, to attract young recruits to the service, and how they culminated in the crack Red Arrows. He also covered the history of the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association and their success in bringing the Red Arrows to Bournemouth for many years as a forerunner to the Bournemouth Air Show.

 

Colin explained why the planes are painted Red (to be visible in the sky as they approach each other at 360mph!) but the most interesting part of the talk was in the make up of the team.

 

        1

    2    3

4      6      5

    8     9

        7

 

To be considered for the Red Arrows, a pilot must have:

 

 at least 1500 hours flying time in fast jets

 at least one front line tour of duty in a fast jet

 be a qualified flying instructor

 have had above average ratings throughout their career

 have flown either a Jaguar, Tornado or a Harrier.

 

Each year from a pool of 50-60 applicants, a short list of 9 are taken for a 2 week selection  process in Cyprus to choose 3 who will be invited to join the squad for an intensive 7 months of training and 5 months of displays in the summer before the process starts all over again.

 

 

In a formation of “diamond nine” Red 1 is a ex Read Arrows pilot that has been invited back as the squadron leader. Red 2, 3 and 4 will be the new pilots in the team for the first year,  8, 9 and 5 will be second year pilots Red 7 will be a second year pilot, picked by Red 6 to be his “synchro pair” who  break away from the pack in some of the more spectacular formations.