Red Arrows XX227 retires after 38 years

[Gary]

Last original jet has retired from service with the Reds

XX227 - our last jet from the founding fleet of Hawk T1s first used by the Red Arrows - retired today. It joined the team on February 6, 1980 and has flown 8,077 hours (including overseas visits to countries such as China) and has made 13,855 landings. #engineeringexcellence https://t.co/KDFL17GEat

[Richard B]

Watched it roll out of Bitteswell in 1980, my grandad worked on them.
About £2million it cost back then, so they got good value for money out of her.

[Yammer]

That's some career - I saw XX227 at Dunsfold on Dunsfold 16.6.79 - outside in primer with smoke mods, it was I believe the development aircraft for the RA mods.
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[Doughnut]

Let us hope its history is truly recognised and it can stay with the team as a ground instructional or gate guard. Not just sent to a dark storage hangar in Shawbury.

[Vulcanone]

They already have one outside the hangar, and the base has one next to the main gate. I have no idea what will happen to it, although the smoke kit will probably end up on another jet.

[The Phantom]

Wow amazing. Shows what a great design it was....and is

[kstater94]

Let us hope its history is truly recognised and it can stay with the team as a ground instructional or gate guard. Not just sent to a dark storage hangar in Shawbury.

Perhaps they will move it to the RAF museum... can't recall a Hawk being there and, if there isn't, I can think of no better candidate

Cheers
John

[Unknown74]

If not Gate Guard or G.I. use and if the RAF Museum(s) Don't want one then why not either Duxford, Newark (which is pretty near Lincoln - Scampton) or Yorkshire Elvington?

[seven]

Let us hope its history is truly recognised and it can stay with the team as a ground instructional or gate guard. Not just sent to a dark storage hangar in Shawbury.

Perhaps they will move it to the RAF museum... can't recall a Hawk being there and, if there isn't, I can think of no better candidate

Cheers
John

Majority of the Boscombe/Bedford Hawks might have something to say about that...

7

[britaylor]

Can any historians on F/C know if this aircraft is the longest to be with one unit all its life thanks in advance

Brian

[sgtangel]

I think Kemble/Cotswold Airport would be a good candidate to have it. It would look fabulous next to their Gnat. Sad to see this one go as my late father would have worked on it when he was Cheify on the team during their time at Kemble.
I don't think 227 served continuously with the team, as the fleet was rotated between 4 FTS, the TWUs, etc to even out the Fatigue Index ( surprisingly it was not the Reds that used up the FI the quickest). However it would be interesting to know how long in total it had been with them

[Vulcanone]

In answer to the question has it been there the longest..

https://twitter.com/rafredarrows/status ... 8892906497


Yes, pretty much

[kstater94]

Let us hope its history is truly recognised and it can stay with the team as a ground instructional or gate guard. Not just sent to a dark storage hangar in Shawbury.

Perhaps they will move it to the RAF museum... can't recall a Hawk being there and, if there isn't, I can think of no better candidate

Cheers
John

Majority of the Boscombe/Bedford Hawks might have something to say about that...

7

Ah yes!

forgot about those and that honour!

sorry
John

[Unknown74]

Wouldn't be surprised if there is a long list of UK Museums who would love a Red Arrows Hawk, especially those who already have a Red Arrows coloured Gnat as part of their collection.

Can imagine that in the future when the Fleet of Hawk T.1s are retired by the Red Arrows as I've already mentioned there will be a few Museums interested in a Red Arrows coloured Hawk as part of their collection.

[turmo]

Wow amazing. Shows what a great design it was....and is

I'm afraid my initial reaction was rather more cynical. Our much-lauded 'International Trade Ambassadors' are trying to persuade other nations to Buy British by flying around in a design that first flew in 1974. That's the best we can show? Sadly so.

Only the Snowbirds are still using an older type.

[Davef68]

I don't think 227 served continuously with the team, as the fleet was rotated between 4 FTS, the TWUs, etc to even out the Fatigue Index ( surprisingly it was not the Reds that used up the FI the quickest). However it would be interesting to know how long in total it had been with them

It has, in fact most of the original aircraft served their life with the team until retired or otherwise lost

[jem60]

With respect, Turmo, it was and still is the most suitable type for the job. Imagine the horrendous cost of Typhoons for example. Constantly snagged, hugely costly,the team would have a hell of a job to keep them reliable for such a busy season. The team would be unable to fulfill half it's displays with a full team!. totally impractical. For a team like the Red Arrows the aircraft simply HAS to have a' Morris Minor' of the skies, which a role that the Hawk fits admirably, and that is why the Canadians stick with their Tutors.

[seven]

Wow amazing. Shows what a great design it was....and is

Only the Snowbirds are still using an older type.

Wrong.

7

[kstater94]

Wow amazing. Shows what a great design it was....and is

Only the Snowbirds are still using an older type.

Wrong.

7

Who has the oldest aircraft?

[Supra]

Just to level the field a little.... are we looking for the longest continuous serving jet (not Prop') with a team or with a Unit anywhere in the World? Can't see the wood for the trees at this time!