The Red Arrows

I am reposting this in memory of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging.............

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging joined the RAF in 2000 and was based at RAF Cottesmore with IV(AC) Squadron. He served in Afghanistan, flying the Harrier GR9 in support of coalition forces.

He had just taken part in an air show in Bournemouth, where the 33-year-old's wife was among the thousands of spectators.

His Hawk T1 aircraft had completed the display and the Red Arrows were heading back to Bournemouth Airport when Flt Lt Egging's plane split off from the group and smashed into a field.

The Red Arrows have now been grounded whilst an investigation takes place into why one of the aerobatic team's planes crashed, killing a pilot.

They were a familiar sight to me as they practiced over their base in Scampton, Lincs, and at Cromer in Norfolk, in August every year, a magnificent display over the beach and town.

Our thoughts are with Jon's wife Emma, the Reds, and the Blues (who are the engineering and support staff)
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On explore 5/9/09 #425

The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force, based at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire, UK (soon to be RAF Waddington). They were formed in late 1964 as an all-RAF team, replacing a number of unofficial teams that had been sponsored by RAF commands.

The Red Arrows badge shows the aircraft in their trademark diamond nine formation, with the motto Éclat, meaning "brilliance" or "excellence".

The Red Arrows were equipped with seven Folland Gnat trainers which were 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 4,000 displays worldwide in 53 countries.