FighterControl

Just seen this years schedule for the Reds, and to be honest I’m absolutely gobsmacked. In their 60th year they only have one display in Scotland(two of you include Edinburgh Tattoo fly through), one in N Ireland and none in Wales. Makes you wonder why they bother putting the Union Flag on the aircraft.

Who decides why and where they display?

It will depend on what shows have requested them and I'm sure the relevant authority will try and spread out the display teams when there are multiple displays on the same weekend. TBF the Reds are in Canada for a few weeks aswell. Just luck if the draw

All bids for RAF displays are triaged by a committee at HQ Air and allocated according to a number of factors.

They’re at Swansea just the one day this year. Or has that changed since I looked last?

Sorry missed that, Swansea 06th July.

Presumably based on proximity to the nearest decent pub/ 5 star hotel with bar?

Totally disappointed they've chosen Canada over the likes of Ayr and Northern Ireland. Sorry for the guys who organise the Great North Run as that is one of the Highlights when they fly over the bridge.... Hope very much to catch them fly over Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Tattoo......

Possibly some fiddle about being outside the Uk for a certain number of days in the tax year??

Is the overseas allowance used to increase their pension?

Is the senior officer concerned of the critical comments associated with scrapping the unit??

Could the smoke pod be replaced by a cannon pod and the highly experienced pilots be utilised as a UAV destroyer role?.

Time for a change? BBMF and squadron based display teams must be more cost effective as a recruitment tool.

The budget could be used for more aircraft for the BBMF, a couple more Hurricanes, another Dakota and a Spitfire or two.

Unknown74 wrote: ↑

Wed May 01, 2024 5:52 am

Totally disappointed they've chosen Canada over the likes of Ayr and Northern Ireland. Sorry for the guys who organise the Great North Run as that is one of the Highlights when they fly over the bridge.... Hope very much to catch them fly over Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Tattoo......

I guess it's part of celebrating 100 years of the RCAF so understand them going.

C24 wrote: ↑

Wed May 01, 2024 6:37 am

Possibly some fiddle about being outside the Uk for a certain number of days in the tax year??

Is the overseas allowance used to increase their pension?

Is the senior officer concerned of the critical comments associated with scrapping the unit??

Could the smoke pod be replaced by a cannon pod and the highly experienced pilots be utilised as a UAV destroyer role?.

Time for a change? BBMF and squadron based display teams must be more cost effective as a recruitment tool.

The budget could be used for more aircraft for the BBMF, a couple more Hurricanes, another Dakota and a Spitfire or two.

Not sure it's quite as cavalier as you suggest, and I think 100 years of the RCAF is as reasonable thing as any to attend, let's face it RCAF formed a significant part of the RAF during WW2.

Yes I think possibly change needed, could the BBMF becoming a civil organisation, like Navy Wings help? as for the Reds, the T1 is well past it's service date and the Reds are the only operator in the UK now, and is there a need for an airborne drone destroyer? not seen any evidence of an immediate threat and what could 9 or 10 aircraft achieve?, suspect ground based systems are the future for that. As for the Reds, if I was CAS I'd prioritise front line force over the Reds and BBMF especially where the front line force numbers are dangerously low.

Agent K wrote: ↑

Wed May 01, 2024 6:55 am

I guess it's part of celebrating 100 years of the RCAF so understand them going.

No guess needed - they've publicly stated that's what it's for.

I guess you have a point there, I agree they should be going to celebrate the Canadian Air Forces Centenary that's a good valid reason for them attending....

Thunder wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 30, 2024 5:09 pm

Just seen this years schedule for the Reds, and to be honest I’m absolutely gobsmacked. In their 60th year they only have one display in Scotland(two of you include Edinburgh Tattoo fly through), one in N Ireland and none in Wales. Makes you wonder why they bother putting the Union Flag on the aircraft.

Who decides why and where they display?

The Reds are displaying at the RAF Valley Families Day on August 8th

Thunder wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 30, 2024 5:09 pm

Just seen this years schedule for the Reds, and to be honest I’m absolutely gobsmacked. In their 60th year they only have one display in Scotland(two of you include Edinburgh Tattoo fly through), one in N Ireland and none in Wales. Makes you wonder why they bother putting the Union Flag on the aircraft.

Who decides why and where they display?

Or you could see it that Scotland has less than 1/10 of the population of the UK - and (joking) pushing half of that dont want to be in the UK !

But they RAFAT are on tour this year so it's a short UK season and how many air displays are there to attend in Scotland?

I think they should display away from airshows more. I'd have thought basing at Lossie for a weekend and displays and flypasts at a few strategic places in Scotland would be a great work up before the start of the season.

Andyph wrote: ↑

Thu May 02, 2024 8:57 pm

I'd have thought basing at Lossie for a weekend and displays and flypasts at a few strategic places in Scotland would be a great work up before the start of the season.

Nice idea and I hear the weather in Scotland is glorious at that time of year.