Red arrows

**STEWY L** · 25-07-2010,06:57 PM

it doesn't matter how many times you may have seen them,
those RED ARROWS are absolutely amazing.
they make me proud to be British

brilliant ,
stewy.

**kite** · 25-07-2010,08:45 PM

You been to Farnboro' ??

**fat controller** · 25-07-2010,09:19 PM

I've only seen them once, when I was a kid, and I was utterly amazed. I'd love to see them again.

Many years ago, I lived in a small holding at the top of a hill in Scotland, and it was a fairly regular sight to see the fighter jets flying in the valley below us on training exercises. I wil never forget one particular plane that passed virtually level with us that had a side hatch open, and I got a very brief wave from one of the crew that was at the opening - stunning sight.

**STEWY L** · 25-07-2010,09:54 PM

Originally Posted by kite

You been to Farnboro' ??

No, they came to us!
they closed the SUNDERLAND INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW, no less!
right on the beach,
brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stewy.

**kite** · 26-07-2010,04:13 AM

Originally Posted by STEWY L

No, they came to us!
they closed the SUNDERLAND INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW, no less!
right on the beach,
brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stewy.

Nice...........Have a look @ Blue Angels vids on youtube.

**SammoVWT** · 26-07-2010,10:48 AM

IMO they should be out helping the guys in iraq/afghanistan. As good as they are, they need to get their priorities straight. Cancel the air shows until they pull out of the east.

Waste of taxpayer money at the moment i think!

**Hex69** · 26-07-2010,11:23 AM

Originally Posted by SammoVWT

IMO they should be out helping the guys in iraq/afghanistan. As good as they are, they need to get their priorities straight. Cancel the air shows until they pull out of the east.

Waste of taxpayer money at the moment i think!

Completely disagree, they are the best advertisement for the RAF that there is.

Don't forget that these guys run on a tiny fraction of the total RAF, budget and that the skills they use in displays are transferable to 'normal' combat flying.

Btw, they came over and and buzzed our village sports day a couple of weeks ago.

Coincidentally, the Team Leader comes from our village, strange that..

**SammoVWT** · 26-07-2010,11:45 AM

Yes they have their uses, but if they are the cream de la creme of the RAF pilots, why not have them doing something useful, unless they are rotated on duty.

Dont get me wrong, i love planes, i respect the pilots on their skill. But if i was in their shoes, i would have a terrible guilt knowing my mates were getting shot up and i was busy supping tea and having crumpets after an air show.

**Hex69** · 26-07-2010,12:08 PM

Originally Posted by SammoVWT

Yes they have their uses, but if they are the cream de la creme of the RAF pilots, why not have them doing something useful, unless they are rotated on duty.

Dont get me wrong, i love planes, i respect the pilots on their skill. But if i was in their shoes, i would have a terrible guilt knowing my mates were getting shot up and i was busy supping tea and having crumpets after an air show.

Yes they are rotated, they do a 3 year tour before returning to their squadron.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/behindthe...playpilots.cfm

Don't forget not all of the RAF are in combat zones at any one time.