Red Arrows
The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force (RAF) based at RAF Waddington. The team was formed in late 1964 as an all-RAF team, replacing a number of unofficial teams that had been sponsored by RAF commands.
| Red Arrows Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team | |
|---|---|
Red Arrows badge | |
| Active | 1965 – present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Role | Aerobatic display team |
| Size | 11 pilots 100 engineering & support staff |
| Part of | No. 1 Group |
| Home station | RAF Waddington |
| Nickname(s) | "The Reds" |
| Motto(s) | Éclat (French for 'Excellence') |
| Colours | Red, white and blue |
| Website | Official website |
| Commanders | |
| Officer Commanding | Wing Commander Adam Collins |
| Team Leader | Squadron Leader Jon Bond |
| Notable commanders | Squadron Leader Ray Hanna |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Trainer | Gnat T1 (1964 – 1979) Hawk T1A (1980 – present) |
The Red Arrows have a prominent place in British popular culture, with their aerobatic displays a fixture of British summer events. The badge of the Red Arrows shows the aircraft in their trademark diamond nine formation, with the motto Éclat, a French word meaning "brilliance" or "excellence".
Initially, they were equipped with seven Folland Gnat trainers 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 performed over 4,800 displays in 57 countries worldwide.