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  • A half-eaten bar of chocolate has been left on an armchair supplied by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seen in a crew room at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Much of the facilities at RAF and MoD outposts are basic and spartan leaving small luxuries to be imported by visiting air and ground crew. In this case, the 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, are occupying this building while on their detachment to the British Mediterranean base while putting the finishing touches to their air display routines ready for PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'). After passing this test, they are then allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called Reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms. Since 1965 the team has flown over 4,000 air shows in 52 countries.
    Red_Arrows134_RBA.jpg
  • RAF Flight Lieutenant Jez Griggs, exerts his last, tough repetition of sit-ups to reach his target during his annual basic fitness test. Griggs is a member of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, and each member has to pass fitness exams like this in order to maintain their military pilots' licence. Held in the gym at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, it forms part of the team's Spring training month. The fatigued pilot is straining to sit upright once more while an RAF instructor shouts encouragement while holding down his feet at the ankles to ensure the sit-ups are performed perfectly. The picture is blurred to show movement during the exercise and the man's face is red with effort. Another instructor is seen in the background holding down another pilot's feet and the floor of the gymnasium is marked for indoor sport. .
    Red_Arrows040_RBA.jpg
  • In the mid-day heat, all members of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, stand at ease and we see the back of one of the squadron's official photographers head, looking into the viewfinder of his camera to record an official photograph immediately on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms.
    Red_Arrows159_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team let off steam after passing their display authority on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms.
    Red_Arrows157_RBA.jpg
  • In the mid-day heat, all members of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, stand on the wings of a Hawk aircraft as the official photograph is taken on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms. Since 1965 the team has flown over 4,000 air shows in 52 countries.
    Red_Arrows154_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team exchange green flying suits for famous red ones on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms.
    Red_Arrows149_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team exchange green flying suits for famous red ones on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms.
    Red_Arrows148_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team exchange green flying suits for famous red ones on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms.
    Red_Arrows147_RBA.jpg
  • Spectators at the The Princess Margaret Hospital (TPMH) on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 4 kilometres from the RAF Station at Akrotiri, admire the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, as they perform one of their first public shows of the year. RAF staff and patients are allowed on to the grass outside the hospital building for this free show, given in honour of local charity fund-raisers of the Cyprus-based RAF Association whose guests form one of the smallest crowds to watch a Red Arrows display. Here, the team perform The Twizzle manoeuvre in front of the small crowd who stand by a green fence, matching tree and palm tree stumps. The bare earth is baked hard by the lack of rain and it almost looks like a desert scene as five of the nine jets speed overhead.
    Red_Arrows133_RBA.jpg
  • Spectators at the The Princess Margaret Hospital (TPMH) on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 4 kilometres from the RAF Station at Akrotiri, admire the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, as they perform one of their first public shows of the year. RAF staff and patients are allowed on to the grass outside the hospital building for this free show, given in honour of local charity fund-raisers of the Cyprus-based RAF Association whose guests form one of the smallest crowds to watch a Red Arrows display. Here, the team perform The Twizzle manoeuvre in front of the small crowd who stand by a green fence, matching tree and palm tree stumps. The bare earth is baked hard by the lack of rain and it almost looks like a desert scene as five of the nine jets speed overhead,
    Red_Arrows136_RBA.jpg
  • In the mid-day heat, all members of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, stand at ease and we see the back of one of the squadron's official photographers head, looking into the viewfinder of his camera to record an official photograph immediately on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms.
    Red_Arrows092_RBA.jpg
  • RAF fighter pilots prepare for sortie flight at crew briefing room RAF Wittering.
    Red_Arrows487_RBA.jpg
  • RAF fighter pilot in Harrier ground attack aircraft at RAF Wittering.
    Red_Arrows242_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team let off steam after passing their display authority on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms.
    Red_Arrows153_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team let off steam after passing their display authority on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms.
    Red_Arrows152_RBA.jpg
  • Wing Commander ill Ramsey congratulates pilots of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms.
    Red_Arrows144_RBA.jpg
  • Wing Commander ill Ramsey congratulates pilots of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team on PDA Day at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'), is when they are allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK or here in the glare of Akrotiri. The pilots are called reds and their ground crew, the Blues after their summer air show uniforms.
    Red_Arrows142_RBA.jpg
  • In the mid-day heat, Squadron Leader Spike Jepson, leader of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, informally addresses the team's highly-skilled ground crew at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus after the whole team's success of passing PDA (or 'Public Display Authority'). The Red Arrows are then allowed by senior RAF officers to perform as a military aerobatic show in front of the general public - following a special test flight when their every move and mistake is assessed and graded. Until that day arrives, their training and practicing is done in the privacy of their own airfield at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, UK. Squadron Leader Jepson has gathered his engineers and support crew known as the Blues to congratulate and encourage them. Specialists like these outnumber the pilots 8:1 and without them, the Red Arrows couldn't fly.
    Red_Arrows162_RBA.jpg
  • Young air cadets photograph a Hawk of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team during visit to RAF Scampton.
    Red_Arrows411_RBA.jpg
  • RAF fighter pilot in Harrier ground attack aircraft at RAF Wittering.
    Red_Arrows240_RBA.jpg
  • New first year pilots of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team discuss new manoeuvres at RAF Scampton.
    Red_Arrows608_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team endure a post-flight de-brief in the squadron crew room at RAF Scampton.
    Red_Arrows367_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team endure a post-flight de-brief in the squadron crew room at RAF Scampton.
    Red_Arrows362_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team climb the steps in the Squadron Building's crew room at RAF Akrotiri.
    Red_Arrows284_RBA.jpg
  • Young air cadets watch returning pilot of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team during visit to RAF Scampton.
    Red_Arrows233_RBA.jpg
  • Official publicity portrait for the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team in mid-day glare at RAF Akrotiri.
    Red_Arrows158_RBA.jpg
  • Members of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team enjoy go-karting on MoD land at RAF Akrotiri.
    Red_Arrows106_RBA.jpg
  • Former Chief of the Air Staff Sir Jock Stirrup toasts the achievements of the Wright Brothers at RAF Hendon...Air Chief Marshal Sir Graham Eric (Jock) Stirrup and guest RAF dignitaries chat and drink at the Royal Air Force Museum Hendon on the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight in 1903. Behind them, Icarus falls to earth on melted wings before the Red Arrows RAF aerobatic team flew over the North London museum in a perfect Diamond Nine formation.
    Red_Arrows418_RBA.jpg
  • An empty hangar after the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team, have left their UK base at RAF Scampton for the sunnier climate and clearer skies of the Mediterranean at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. A lone engineer, left behind to continue the preparations before the start of the Summer air show season walks in the gap of the giant hangar doors. A yellow dustbin that collects foreign objects (FOD) is in the middle of the floor. The team will spend six weeks in Cyprus refining their air display techniques and skills before performing in front of the public from May onwards. Since 1965 they have flown over 4,000 such shows in 52 countries. The hangar dates to World War 2, housing Lancaster bombers of 617 Dambusters squadron who attacked the damns of the German Ruhr valley on 16th May 1943 using the Bouncing Bomb. This version of BAE Systems Hawks are low-tech, without computers nor fly-by-wire technology, Some of the team's aircraft are 25 years old and their airframes require frequent overhauls due.
    Red_Arrows056_RBA.jpg
  • Seen in profile view, we are looking at the edge of a Hawk jet aircraft port wing flap set at about 45 degrees. Designed by BAE Systems and painted in the colour of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. An original serial and issue numbers plate is riveted to its end assembly. The Hawk's classic, highly-efficient lifting wing is legendary with aeronatutical designer experts who recognise its ability to withstand excellent rates of climb and high g-forces (positive or negative gravity) routinely exerted on it by the Red Arrows team who fly more sorties (flights) and undergo more 'g' than other RAF squadron. In bright sunlight we see the graish red that is the signature colour of the team and the RAF's roundel is seen out of focus in the background to make a graphic engineering detail. .
    Red_Arrows643_RBA.jpg
  • Junior Technician Brian Robb, an engineer with the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, shines his torch inside the flaps of a Hawk jet aircraft checking for obstructions, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. Wearing ear defenders clasped to his head, J/Tech Robb peers into the wing assembly during a pre-flight inspection before the pilot emerges from for another winter training flight. Robb is a member of the team's support ground crew who outnumber the pilots 8:1 and without them, the Red Arrows couldn't fly.  Eleven trades are imported from some sixty that the RAF employs and teaches. Crouching by an RAF roundel emblem, he wears an army style green camouflage coat as protection over the biting Lincolnshire wind, and a fluorescent tabard required for any personnel working on the 'line', where the aircraft taxi to and park. .
    Red_Arrows028_RBA.jpg
  • Younf air cadet sits in Hawk cockpit of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team during visit to RAF Scampton.
    Red_Arrows232_RBA.jpg
  • Official publicity portrait for the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team in mid-day glare at RAF Akrotiri.
    Red_Arrows169_RBA.jpg
  • Official publicity portrait for the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team in mid-day glare at RAF Akrotiri.
    Red_Arrows168_RBA.jpg
  • Official publicity portrait for the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team in mid-day glare at RAF Akrotiri.
    Red_Arrows161_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team in the Squadron Building's crew room at RAF Akrotiri.
    Red_Arrows141_RBA.jpg
  • Pilot of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team with his pet spaniel in the squadron crew room at RAF Scampton.
    Red_Arrows091_RBA.jpg
  • Two pilots of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team in discussion in MoD corridor at RAF Akrotiri.
    Red_Arrows046_RBA.jpg
  • Old technology on RAF jet fuel bowser that serves the Hawks of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team at their home base of RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. Operated by Squadron ground crew whose duties include keeping the team's aircraft and vehicles up and running perform the vital job of using this ageing equipment. Using such technology, the team have since 1965 flown over 4,000 such shows in 52 countries.
    Red_Arrows080_RBA.jpg
  • A hangar belonging to the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. Two huge hangar doors are ajar revealing an orange glow spilling on to the concrete outside. A Hawk jet aircraft is parked awaiting overnight maintenance. Engineers talk inside as the door travels along its track. The men are the team's support ground crew and eleven trades are imported from some sixty that the RAF qualifies. The hangar dates to World War 2, housing Lancaster bombers of 617 Dambusters squadron who attacked the damns of the German Ruhr valley on 16th May 1943 using the Bouncing Bomb. This version of BAE Systems Hawks are low-tech, without computers nor fly-by-wire technology, Some of the  team's aircraft are 25 years old and their airframes require frequent overhauls due.
    Red_Arrows070_RBA.jpg
  • Squadron Leader John Green the executive officer of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, instructs a group of RAF fighter pilots in the art of manual close-formation aerobatic flying. Explaining how to line up their aircraft with their nearest neighbour using a system called 'referencing', he shows them with his fingers the margin of error that is tolerated when only 12ft (3-4m) apart and flying at 400mph (650kph).  The recruits all hope to be selected for next year's team and have travelled to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus where the Red Arrows complete their pre-season training. Seen from beneath the Hawk jet aircraft's nose on the 'line' Squadron Leader Green kneels by the trailing wing edge to demonstrate what he will expect from their upcoming flying test.
    Red_Arrows305_RBA.jpg
  • Officer pilots of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, lean aginst a wing of their Hawk jet in a pre-flight briefing while a member of their ground crew positions some wheel chocks. The highly-skilled engineer is known as a 'Blue' but the 'Reds' discuss  flight plans. Eleven trades skills are imported from some sixty that the RAF employs and teaches. It is mid-day and only their flying boots and red legs are seen with the RAF roundel emblem is on the underside of the wing. The better-educated officers in the armed forces enjoy a more privileged lifestyle than their support staff. In the aerobatic squadron, the Blues outnumber the pilots 8:1. Without them, the Red Arrows couldn't fly. SOme of the team's Hawks are 25 years old and their air frames require constant attention, with increasingly frequent major overhauls due.
    Red_Arrows174_RBA.jpg
  • Flight Lieutenants Steve Underwood and Anthony Parkinson and Wing Commander Bill Ramsey of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, discuss logistics beneath the emblems of long-disbanded fighter squadrons which decorate the squadron building at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. They sit in faded pink armchairs supplied by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that are seen in many RAF stations and airfields with the same drab blue paint on the walls. Painted by hand are circular badges  with bold colours (colors) and illustrations of birds of prey, fighter-jets, swords and shields which all symbolise  warfare. The three pilots are relaxed wearing their red flying suits with their sunglasses dangling in the regulation loop, they are holding a bottle of mineral water and a coffee cup.
    Red_Arrows155_RBA.jpg
  • Darren Budziszewski is a Junior Technician engineer in the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team. He is seen carefully standing in the cockpit of a Hawk jet closely inspecting the Plexiglass canopy for smears and scratches. Stooping at the open surface while keeping back flat and his knees bent, its posture that the RAF teaches its employees. Darren polishes the aircraft before its pilot emerges from the building at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. The Red Arrows ground crew take enormous pride in their role as supporting the team whose air displays are known around the world, cleaning the red airplanes on their day off, so particular are they. The image is backlit and both canopy and man are bottom-weighted to allow us to see space and sky. Specialists like Darren outnumber the pilots 8:1 and without them, the Red Arrows couldn't fly.
    Red_Arrows099_RBA.jpg
  • Ground technicians at RAF Wittering, the base for the Harrier.
    Red_Arrows239_RBA.jpg
  • Ground technicians at RAF Wittering, the base for the Harrier.
    Red_Arrows238_RBA.jpg
  • Young wannabe of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, holds up an RAF merchandise brolley during airshow.
    Red_Arrows196_RBA.jpg
  • Some crates of flight spares belonging to the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team. Spares and personal effects go into a C-130 Hercules aircraft before the two-day journey from RAF Scampton to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Surrounded by heavy-duty flight-spares, survival equipment boxes and a tyre for a Hawk jet aircraft, the Hercules looms large in the overcast sky. The team complete their winter training schedule in Cyprus. The Red Arrows pilots fly their own jet aircraft to air shows but when requiring the support of ground crew  they borrow a transporter to fly behind the main airborne squadron. 10 tons of spares and personal effects are shipped for a six-week stay.
    Red_Arrows223_RBA.jpg
  • Members of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team, supervise the loading of spares and personal effects into a C-130 Hercules aircraft before the two-day journey from RAF Scampton to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Surrounded by heavy-duty flight-spares, survival equipment boxes and a tyre for a Hawk jet aircraft, the Hercules looms large in the overcast sky. The team complete their winter training schedule in Cyprus. The Red Arrows pilots fly their own jet aircraft to air shows but when requiring the support of ground crew  they borrow a transporter to fly behind the main airborne squadron. 10 tons of spares and personal effects are shipped for a six-week stay.
    Red_Arrows060_RBA.jpg
  • Flight Lieutenant Antony Parkinson a pilot with the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, signs posters on arriving at the team's home base at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire from his last ever display. Flt Lt Parkinson has served on the Red Arrows for four years and is to leave for a Typhoon squadron - from a relatively simple aircraft to one of the most sophisticated. Press and PR is one of the team's main purposes, acting as ambassadors for the UK and as recruiting tool for tomorrow's RAF officers and autographing publicity material is a routine chore. Traditionally, photographs are designed to allow pilots a space to sign their names alongside their respective position in the display formation. In high-spirits after a stressfully long year, he is in the crew room to wind down, with a tomato in his mouth. .  . .
    Red_Arrows747_RBA.jpg
  • A young boy wearing ear-defenders and dressed in a child's miniature red flying suit is perched on a metal crate of flight spares belonging to the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team. Joshua Lewis is the son of one of the team's electricians Corporal Dave Lewis, and they are both at RAF Scampton in Lincolshire to wave goodbye to the departing Hawk jet aircraft who are leaving for their winter training ground at Akrotiri, Cyprus. Other team-member families have come along to see these famous red aircaft. Most of the team leave the UK for a six-week stint, refining their evolving air display routines and manoeuvres in the clear Mediteranean skies. Pilots and ground support crew will be away from loved-ones and their absence is one of the toughest aspects of RAF frontline personnel - and aerobatic squadrons.
    Red_Arrows260_RBA.jpg
  • A lone figure stands silhouetted against a hangar belonging to the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. Two huge hangar doors are ajar revealing an orange glow spilling on to the concrete outside. A Hawk jet aircraft is parked awaiting overnight maintenance. Engineers talk inside as the door travels along its track. The men are the team's support ground crew and eleven trades are imported from some sixty that the RAF qualifies. The hangar dates to World War 2, housing Lancaster bombers of 617 Dambusters squadron who attacked the damns of the German Ruhr valley on 16th May 1943 using the Bouncing Bomb. This version of BAE Systems Hawks are low-tech, without computers nor fly-by-wire technology, Some of the  team's aircraft are 25 years old and their airframes require frequent overhauls due.
    Red_Arrows074_RBA.jpg
  • Chief Technician Kerry Griffiths is a with the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team, the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team. In camouflaged military green jacket, large forearms and rolled-up sleeves, he oversees the loading of spares and personal effects into a C-130 Hercules aircraft before the two-day journey from RAF Scampton to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Surrounded by heavy-duty flight-spares, survival equipment boxes and a tyre for a Hawk jet aircraft, the Hercules looms large in the overcast sky. The team complete their winter training schedule in Cyprus. The Red Arrows pilots fly their own jet aircraft to air shows but when requiring the support of ground crew  they borrow a transporter to fly behind the main airborne squadron. 10 tons of spares and personal effects are shipped for a six-week stay.
    Red_Arrows052_RBA.jpg
  • At the start of another day's work, pilots belonging to the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, walk in single-file out into the pink morning light for the first winter training flight of the day at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. Emerging from their squadron building the aviators make their way along a pathway towards the waiting Hawk jet aircraft known the world over. Wearing winter green flying suits and carrying their helmets, their day is spent flying and de-briefing up to six times a day when weather permits. Long shadows spill over on to the airfield's cropped grass. Scampton  is one of the original World War 2 RAF stations for the Lancaster bombers the 617 Dambusters squadron who attacked the damns of the German Ruhr valley on 16th May 1943 using the Bouncing Bomb. Today, it is used almost exclusively by the team.
    Red_Arrows011_RBA.jpg
  • Cockpit controls detail inside a BAE Ststems Hawk of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows772_RBA.jpg
  • Cockpit controls detail inside a BAE Ststems Hawk of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows770_RBA.jpg
  • BAE System Hawks of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team and airfield mist landscape.
    Red_Arrows401_RBA.jpg
  • Haw jets of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team practice display using Cyprus coast as display datum (centre).
    Red_Arrows331_RBA.jpg
  • Hawk jets of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team practice their display using an old ship wreck as display datum (centre). The wreck is the MV Achaios. Built in 1932, it was on a voyage from Yugoslavia to Jeddah in 1976 with a cargo of timber. She ran aground in a storm at Akrotiri Peninsula, but no lives were lost.
    Red_Arrows317_RBA.jpg
  • Empty crew briefing room belonging to the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team after a day's training flights.
    Red_Arrows322_RBA.jpg
  • Engineering ground staff of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, during turnarounds of training flights.
    Red_Arrows304_RBA.jpg
  • Pilot of the Red Arrows, UK's RAF aerobatic team readies himself before a simulated ditching in the cold sea during exercise.
    Red_Arrows271_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team ready themselves before another training sortie.
    Red_Arrows243_RBA.jpg
  • Closed doors outside the hangar of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows235_RBA.jpg
  • Trays of spilled dye derv he hangar that makes the coloured smoke of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows227_RBA.jpg
  • Royal Air Force gate guard admits pilot of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team to the Scampton airfield.
    Red_Arrows111_RBA.jpg
  • Engineering room and old Gnat jet of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows062_RBA.jpg
  • Engineering ground staff of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, listen during health and safety course.
    Red_Arrows057_RBA.jpg
  • Hawk jets of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team practice their display using an old ship wreck as display datum (centre). The wreck is the MV Achaios. Built in 1932, it was on a voyage from Yugoslavia to Jeddah in 1976 with a cargo of timber. She ran aground in a storm at Akrotiri Peninsula, but no lives were lost.
    Red_Arrows047_RBA.jpg
  • Engineering ground staff of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, during turnarounds of training flights.
    Red_Arrows026_RBA.jpg
  • Blue and red dye stains on the 'line' at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire, home base of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team. The spilled dye provides the team with their distinctive red, white and blue smoke (a vegetable dye and diesel fuel mixture) during their air show display routines. While on the ground, this non-toxic derv/vegetable dye is injected into a vacuum under pressure into the jets' modified belly-pod which in varying amounts of concentrate, gives off a smoke via three nozzles that point down into the jet's efflux, the exhaust that exits the jet pipe at 500°C. For a display, the pods hold enough dye for 5 minutes of white smoke, 1 of blue and 1 of red while the Synchro pair uses slightly more. 7,200 gallons of dye during the entire 2004 season and since 1965 they have flown over 4,000 such shows in 52 countries.
    Red_Arrows698_RBA.jpg
  • Rolls-Royce Adour engine of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team in Squadron's hangar at RAF Scampton,
    Red_Arrows386_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team sign autographs for young visitor to RAF Scampton.
    Red_Arrows377_RBA.jpg
  • Air traffic controller in control tower at RAF Scampton, home base of the 'Red Arrows', Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team
    Red_Arrows373_RBA.jpg
  • Senior RAF officers assess 'Red Arrows' Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team and grant them authority to fly public displays
    Red_Arrows327_RBA.jpg
  • In the mid-day heat, Squadron Leader John Green is a member of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team. Here he walks out alone to his aircraft, which is lined up with some of the others jets at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus before flying out to Marka in Jordan for the first display of the year. The Red Arrows arrive each April to fine-tune their air show skills in the clear Mediterranean skies and continue their busy display calendar above the skies of the UK and other European show circuit. We see John Green carrying his flight bag and life-vest over his shoulder. He paces confidently across the bright 'apron' dressed in his famous red flying suit that the Red Arrows have made famous since 1965. He is alone and striding confidently towards the matching red eight Hawk airplanes.
    Red_Arrows093_RBA.jpg
  • Cockpit controls detail inside a BAE Ststems Hawk of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows771_RBA.jpg
  • Two pilots of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team enjoy a moment of release during a stressful display season.
    Red_Arrows746_RBA.jpg
  • Pilot of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team handshakes his dedicated engineer at the end of display season.
    Red_Arrows745_RBA.jpg
  • BAE Systems Hawk of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, seemingly hidden in long airfield grass.
    Red_Arrows697_RBA.jpg
  • Airspeed pitot tube on nose of BAE Systems Hawk of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows693_RBA.jpg
  • Exhaust jet pipe at rear of BAE Systems Hawk of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows692_RBA.jpg
  • Pilots of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team look at the details of romantic aviation posters in their crew room.
    Red_Arrows609_RBA.jpg
  • Engineering ground staff of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, make repairs between training flights.
    Red_Arrows514_RBA.jpg
  • Engineering ground staff of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, one with a recently broken ankle.
    Red_Arrows501_RBA.jpg
  • Squadron Leader Dunc Mason of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team instructs new manoeuvres to others.
    Red_Arrows476_RBA.jpg
  • Towing bars on the ground in the hangar of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows475_RBA.jpg
  • Squadron Leader Spike Jepson, leader of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team instructs new manoeuvres to his team.
    Red_Arrows452_RBA.jpg
  • Pilot of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team answers questions to local tv station, having left his cup of tea.
    Red_Arrows448_RBA.jpg
  • New first year pilots of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team try on their new red flying suits for size.
    Red_Arrows434_RBA.jpg
  • Safety poster in the supplies office of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows431_RBA.jpg
  • Safety equipment supplies officer of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team sews on badges to working overalls.
    Red_Arrows430_RBA.jpg
  • Engineering ground staff of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, makes last pre-flight checks before training flight.
    Red_Arrows425_RBA.jpg
  • Engineering ground staff of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, makes last pre-flight checks before training flight.
    Red_Arrows423_RBA.jpg
  • Engineering ground staff of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, makes last pre-flight checks before training flight.
    Red_Arrows424_RBA.jpg
  • Hawk jets of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team perform training display over the skies above their Lincolnshire home.
    Red_Arrows422_RBA.jpg
  • Engineering ground staff of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team, await pilots to sign flight manuals before  flight
    Red_Arrows420_RBA.jpg
  • Royal Air Force weather forecaster passes on airfield met news to the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows407_RBA.jpg
  • Pilot of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team with flight planning duties gazes for a moment out of the window.
    Red_Arrows405_RBA.jpg
  • Engineer ground staff perform scheduled maintenance to a Hawk jet in the hangar of the Red Arrows, Britain's RAF aerobatic team.
    Red_Arrows396_RBA.jpg
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