Yeovilton Air Day 07 - Display Teams, Red Arrows

[cspyro21]

The Red Arrows showed up as usual, but only 8 of the 9 display aircraft flew. However, when they departed, all 10 took off. Perhaps the #9 aircraft was experiencing 'technical difficulties'...


The 'Reds' making their first pass.


Here they are, executing a roll together...


The Reds in the Swan formation, you can see where the 9th aircraft would have fitted in.


Shuttle formation I believe.


A high split from 6 of the Red Arrows.


And here were the other 2 - sorry for the wonky horizon, but I had to reach over the crowd to get this shot.

Final set next - the Finale!

[C]

The Red Arrows showed up as usual, but only 8 of the 9 display aircraft flew. However, when they departed, all 10 took off. Perhaps the #9 aircraft was experiencing 'technical difficulties'...

If you call Red 6's (IIRC) broken wrist a "technical difficulty", then yes...

[Craig.]

I'm surprised that display teams dont have several back-ups incase these things happen, I know that it would require a lot of extra work and time but those formations just look silly incomplete. Or at least they could have some 8 ship formations.

[cspyro21]

The Red Arrows showed up as usual, but only 8 of the 9 display aircraft flew. However, when they departed, all 10 took off. Perhaps the #9 aircraft was experiencing 'technical difficulties'...

If you call Red 6's (IIRC) broken wrist a "technical difficulty", then yes...

That'll be it then! Thanks Bigger Me

I know that it would require a lot of extra work and time but those formations just look silly incomplete.

I thought that some didn't look right, and that they could have maybe reshuffled the formations slightly to deal with a lost aircraft. However it was a good display nonetheless

[C]

I'm surprised that display teams dont have several back-ups incase these things happen, I know that it would require a lot of extra work and time but those formations just look silly incomplete. Or at least they could have some 8 ship formations.

Completely impossible. Flying formation is bad enough as it is. Then imagine learning to the point of instinctive perfection two or three thirty minute routines (normal, flat etc). The Red's train pretty much non stop for five or six months, and each position is so unique, attemting to keep current in more than one position would be at best, difficult, and at worst, downright dangerous.

The only example in the Red's recent history was Flt Lt Tony Parkinson (who had just completed his third and final year on the team) taking the position of Flt Lt Matt Jarvis (who had been diagnosed very sadly with cancer, which proved terminal). This change was made early in, or before the season began, as the replacement had to be permanent.

I'm surprised that display teams dont have several back-ups incase these things happen

...and the RAF has a shortage of fast jet pilots. Well, all pilots in fact...

...NetJets haven't though!