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| The future of the Red Arrows | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 10 2015, 08:33 PM (87 Views) | |
| Nikon User | Aug 10 2015, 08:33 PM Post #1 |
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"BEAVER"
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Firstly, please let me say that the following isn't intended to have a dig at the Reds, or to be critical of them in any way. Last weekend the Reds cancelled a couple of displays due to aircraft unserviceability. This is a rare occurrence and a decision that I believe is a tough one for them to make. For the past 50 years they have been proud of the fact that they have to cancel so few. A statement from Red 10 explaining this features below. RED 10 STATEMENT Aircraft unserviceability can and does happen to any operator of any aircraft type. Reading the above made me start thinking however, as to what might be the future for the Red Arrows as the Hawks become older and at some time in their lives, harder to maintain and keep reliably airworthy. Also, I was thinking of how the RAF might justify so many pilots dedicated to display flying away from the front line as the Service shrinks to the advertised 31,500 personnel by 2020, with a reduced budget to spend. The options that came to my mind include; The Reds disband, leaving the RAF with no display team. They fly with seven or five aircraft instead of nine, reducing the amount of jets and pilots required overall. Change to a different aircraft type. Personally I think it would be a sad day if the Royal Air Force didn't have a display team at all, but a reduced one would be better than nothing. I'm not pretending that I know the answer and as I mentioned before, this is not having a pop at the team. I'm just wondering if anyone might have thoughts or views on the matter. Regards, Nigel |
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| mrvr6 | Aug 10 2015, 09:05 PM Post #2 |
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Lt. john 'Buzz Kill' burton
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imagine what they could do with typhoons! |
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| beowulf | Aug 10 2015, 09:23 PM Post #3 |
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Lt. Paul 'Red Dog' Rose
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i think they should downsize to tucanos |
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| Mark M | Aug 10 2015, 09:42 PM Post #4 |
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Hawk T1
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Official requests have been made to the cost of converting t2's to reds standard |
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| Olde Farte | Aug 11 2015, 08:15 AM Post #5 |
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Lt. Derek 'Smurfy' Reeve
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I actually wouldn't miss them as I have never been a lover of aerobatic teams, sacrilege I know but there you go. |
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| Nikon User | Aug 11 2015, 08:47 AM Post #6 |
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"BEAVER"
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I could see the team flying the T2's but suspect it's down to whatever budget is available at the time, and forecast for the future. More than ever, £££££'s available = decisions made. |
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| DevilFish | Aug 11 2015, 09:34 AM Post #7 |
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
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Who would wake me up on a weekend if they got disbanded? |
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| Olde Farte | Aug 11 2015, 10:20 AM Post #8 |
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Lt. Derek 'Smurfy' Reeve
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It all depends on the bean counters and pen pushers, those at the sharp end will have no say. But they should also consider the fact that the Reds are great Ambassadors for the UK, probably not PC or diverse enough now though. |
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| beowulf | Aug 11 2015, 03:16 PM Post #9 |
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Lt. Paul 'Red Dog' Rose
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i sort of agree.....once you have seen them (and it dosnt matter who...arrows, angels, thunderbirds, tricolore, etc) it all just seems samey year after year....one reason why i prefer props cos they operate in a tighter arena and are slower, just seems a better display ive been to shows and when the display team comes on its time to have a wander round the stalls and ignore the flying im taking nothing away from the pilots who are obviously the best of the best and i do think it would be shame to lose them as they are a great ambassador for the uk and raf |
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| Mark M | Aug 11 2015, 05:07 PM Post #10 |
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Hawk T1
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there are 6 t2's in storage at shawburry and i believe we already have a contract for 10 more to be built as a replacement for 208sqn hawks, so there is potential to intercept them |
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7:12 PM Jul 11