Credit: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2024/Cover ImagesThe Red Arrows soared into their 60th display season with a flight alongside vintage Folland Gnat jets at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire on Friday (08March2024). The two heritage craft, one with a bright yellow livery and the other featuring 4 Flying Training School colours, were originally used in the 1960s as RAF training aircraft. Wing Commander Adam Collins said: “The Gnat is synonymous with the earliest days of the Red Arrows and this wonderful chapter of British aviation. “Reuniting the aircraft, at our home base in Lincolnshire, with some of those who helped establish the team during the 1960s ... has been a great backdrop from which to launch our Diamond Season display dates. “It’s through these forthcoming summer shows, colourful flypasts, and engaging ground events that we hope to inspire even more generations.” The Folland Gnat was flown by the Red Arrows from the team’s first season in 1965 until being replaced by the bigger Hawk T1 in 1980. Squadron leader Jon Bond, who will be Red 1 this year, added: “To bring together the past, present, and potential future of the Red Arrows is the perfect way to launch our 60th season display calendar. “The Red Arrows will perform a new, nine-aircraft show at locations across the UK this summer and the whole team of 140 people, both air and ground crew, are humbled by the countless individuals whom have already got in touch to say how they can’t wait to see this diamond display,” he added. The teams’ training continues at RAF Waddington, with the first public display due to take off in late May. The public will be able to enjoy displays across the season including at Blackpool Airshow, Eastbourne International Airshow, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and Armed Forces’ Day performances. The team will also perform in Canada at four airshows to help celebrate the Royal Canadian Air Force’s centennial. Red Arrows’ pilots all have previous fast-jet, operational experience flying the Tornado, Typhoon, or Harrier. By the beginning of 2024, the Red Arrows had completed nearly 5,000 displays in 57 countries.
