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The red arrows in action
By Andy Tristem
AS THE Red Arrows thrilled thousands yesterday with an awe-inspiring aerobatics display, they also paid tribute to the Sunday Express and our readers.
The world-famous display team was saved after ministers bowed to a Sunday Express crusade that generated huge public support.
They ditched plans for a cost-cutting review of the aerobatic team after 56,000 people signed an online petition on the Downing Street website.
The Red Arrows have now won a four-year reprieve and are planning 90 shows and 200 fly-bys this year.
Yesterday thousands of fans turned out for their first show of the year at Abingdon airfield in Oxfordshire.
Nine jets wowed the crowds with a breathtaking 23-minute display at the Spirit of Adventure event, which showcases the Royal Air Force.
Travelling at up to 500mph and just six feet apart, the Red Arrows formed a procession of star-shapes, diamonds and arrow-headed formations. They then split into two groups and repeatedly flew past each other just feet apart while performing rolls and loops. In an exclusive interview, Red Arrows squadron leader Jas Hawker said: “I know the Sunday Express focused on this issue. It was great to know we had that level of support. I would like to thank everyone who helped with the online petition. Every newspaper article helped. We had to show that we are a valuable asset and are worthwhile and it’s been decided that we are for the time being. I would like to thank all the readers of the Sunday Express.”
Squadron leader Hawker, known as Red 1, who rejoined the Red Arrows this year after serving as a Tornado pilot in Iraq, said: “We have been in training intensely for the last eight months and have changed a few manoeuvres which we are now keen to show people. One is called the python where we roll towards and away from the crowd, which we believe is pretty spectacular.”
Lesley Evans, 42, of Kemble, near Swindon, grew up watching the Red Arrows at their Seventies base, RAF Fairford, near her home. She said: “They are the epitome of everything that is good about the RAF. ”
Arthur Mander, 73, also from Kemble, who has been watching the Red Arrows for 30 years, said: “The Sunday Express campaign was very important. Tony Blair didn’t want to be remembered as the prime minister who ended the Red Arrows.”
Eddie Evans, who organised support for the petition, said: “It is brilliant to see them flying. Tony Blair finally conceded there is nothing like the Red Arrows for public morale. Every child who watches them wants to be a Red Arrows pilot.
“It was brilliant that the Sunday Express ran their campaign.”
RAF recruitment officer Sergeant Anton Dorson, who was running an information stand at Abingdon, said: “Many young recruits have been inspired by the display team.”
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29.05.07, 5:06pm
It was fantastic to see the Red Arrows flying again at the Spirit of Adventure airshow.
It was a shame that the organisation was a bit of a shambles and the cost was astrinomical but apart from that it was a pretty good show.
My son, Billy, was really excited about being able to sit in the copits of some of the aircraft but especially the copit of a Red Arrow Hawk. Seeing his face as the pilots came and stood around the plane with him in the copit was fabulous. He had his picture taken by various journalists but unfortunately none were published which disappointed Billy who is only 5 1/2. I explained that lots would have been taken and they would only use the best ones and that he was a very lucky boy to have met the Red Arrows and talked to the pilot of Red 5.
• Posted by: ClareJ • Report Comment
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