Reds Winter Training 2022-24

[POL]

What an obscene waste of money.

[jetranger2015]

What an obscene waste of money.

Totally agree, time and money would be better spent practicing here, after all they haven't been excessively busy so far this year even when the weather has been good!

[C24]

For something like a 50+ year “fan & supporter “ of RAFAT, this is a very good example of why Britain is in such a poor state.

The RAF is complaining of lack of fast jet pilots due to inadequate capacity of training time when there is a whole squadron just swanning around the world.

It can only get worse.

My best wishes to the team for a successful display season. Let’s hope the Fat Controller gets his act together some rather than later.

P.s. Scrap the Reds and use the cash to buy more Hurricane aircraft for BBMF.

Much better now , thank you

[Discodaz]

i cannot believe they are actually doing "springhawk" this year after all the recent publicity

disgraceful

Daz

[reaper493]

Red 12 currently airborne - not heard that callsign before I don't think?

[slogen51]

What an obscene waste of money.

Totally agree, time and money would be better spent practicing here, after all they haven't been excessively busy so far this year even when the weather has been good!

I think 'obscene' waste of money is a bit strong?

Wages get paid wherever they are so that leaves the marginal cost of fuel and living accommodation

They need the best practice facilities because their day job can be extremely dangerous

[POL]

I don't think obscene is strong enough if I'm honest.

Cost of accommodation and ground transportation, ground handling charges, airspace charges, food, etc. are all outwith the cost of the airframe and its crew.

Cost of travelling all the way to Croatia, then all the way back, then all the way to Greece and all the way back for what? Why can they not practice over the UK? Bad weather! I hear you cry...doesn't seem to affect any other display team anywhere in the world.

[reaper493]

The RAF boys club at it's finest sadly.

Any bad press comes out of this det I think it will be curtains.

[reaper493]

Update - Red 12 is an RAFCAM callsign

RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine.

[Professor_M]

Update - Red 12 is an RAFCAM callsign

RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine - heard of it before?

So they've retired their own Hawks, only to borrow the Reds' jets instead. May as well have kept one for themselves (and kept it black so that not all Hawk T1s flying are Red ).

[Common Sense says there's probably more economic sense in the approach they're taking than keeping the dedicated fleet going at Boscombe].

[reaper493]

RAFCAM haven't had their own Hawks for a long time, if ever? They always borrowed a jet from Boscombe and later Leeming I think?

A Boscombe jet used to have RAFCAM on the side at one point.

[Professor_M]

RAFCAM haven't had their own Hawks for a long time, if ever? They always borrowed a jet from Boscombe and later Leeming I think?

A Boscombe jet used to have RAFCAM on the side at one point.

Weren't the last two Hawks that were based at Boscombe until retirement in March 2022 (once ETPS had moved over to PC-21) and in RAFCAM titles flying for them? (XX327 & XX162) - Or were these used for other purposes primarily?

[POL]

Should anyone be interested, Springhawk has cost the taxpayer £1,314,000 excluding staff costs.

Obscene.

[reaper493]

That's one word for it.

[C24]

The money might be better spent on arranging for the private Lanc to be incorporated in the BBMF to fly as a pair or even to purchase another Hurricane.

If there is a shortage of pilots, use the Reds and use the Hawks for training.

[AMG_1969]

Good afternoon, I was thinking of having a run up tomorrow to catch the Reds before swinging over to Coningsby, anybody have a rough guess at what time they have been doing there first practice run of the day.

Kind regards

Andrew

[reaper493]

It's normally airborne by 9.10, as long as the weather is decent!

Mike

[AMG_1969]

It's normally airborne by 9.10, as long as the weather is decent!

Mike

Thank you so much for your reply Mike, it's 3 hours for me so I'll aim to arrive around 8:30 and pray for the weather.

Regards

Andrew

[reaper493]

The WAVE probably won't be open when you arrive, if you're coming up the A15 turn in to the fire service training area and wait there until the WAVE opens.

When the base fence appears on the left, you will see the air ambulance buildings first - it's the turning after that you want.

Have a good day.

Mike

[Binbrook123]

Can anyone help with the serial numbers of the 5 Hawks which took part in the Coningsby demonstration yesterday (18th March)

I have XX311 and XX321 as the Syncro pair but none of the remaining three.

Any help much appreciated