Red Arrows 60th Diamond Season

[Sparts99]

My tuppence worth, I think the display for the last few years has been pretty dull with long pauses between aircraft in front of the crowd. No doubt very skilful but as the target audience is not other pilots and enthusiasts but the general public then in my view they've lost the plot a bit. In the past they held their own against other teams despite other teams having aircraft better suited to the display job. All the recent personnel issues are hopefully resolved and as a result perhaps a bit of spark can be brought back in with entusiastic team members at all levels. As for the Hawk, well I preferred the look of the Gnat anyway, showing my age but the Hawk T1 is long in the tooth, perhaps a seven or five ship T2 team would be better, if the airframes can be spared. Smoke generators on the wing tips to make a bigger impact although I'm not sure different coloured smoke could be used without the centre line tank. I think it'd be wrong to do away with the RAFAT altogether, front line aircraft or anything with a propeller won't work, I can't see Typhoons being viable and available, especially in a team colour scheme, and Texans just can't have the impact.

[CHINOOKER]

People should be careful what they wish for!, yes the current displays seem a little “tired and repetitive” but should this,(as some allude to), be their last season then many air shows/events will probably go the same way! Despite all the recent problems they have had, the Reds are still a great draw and asset to many shows/organisations etc. Ask the people who organise Bournemouth,Eastbourne,Southwold, Southend etc what the biggest attraction is for their event is and they will undoubtedly say the Red Arrows! As I said earlier, the current display has become a bit “same-ish”,so I hope that this season fares better.

[2e1var]

I know there have been some issues in recent years but we are lucky to have had them. I really enjoy watching them and am so proud. Trouble is we see them year in year out at multiple displays and it can get repetitive, then I think people take them for granted. Of course it's not as exciting as something like the Black Eagles who we see once every 10 years in an unusual aircraft. For the non-enthusiast they are are huge draw and many events would not have continued without them, take Sidmouth this year as an example. We won't have them for much longer and I for one will continue to enjoy and support them for as long as possible. It's really sad that so many so-called aviation enthusiasts are so negative about them.

[raptor9]

I agree with what you say. Having watched Thunderbirds, Blue Angels etc. several times in different countries, I tend to find the Red Arrows rather boring. That is simply because of my familiarity with them. It doesn't detract from them in any way. Air Shows are primarily for the public, not us enthusiasts. I will watch them this year, for a change. Haven't seen them for some time, except very low over my bungalow when transiting!!.