Special guests including founding members of the Red Arrows have been in Lincolnshire today

It's to celebrate the team's 60th season

Author: Julie CastonPublished 8th Mar 2024
Last updated 8th Mar 2024

RAF Waddington has hosted some special guests and seen a flyover as the Red Arrows released details of their diamond season displays.

A vintage jet, of the type used by the original Red Arrows, has flown alongside the present-day team to help mark their 60th display season.

The Folland Gnat, which dates from 1964, joined the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s distinctive BAE Systems Hawks above the skies of Lincolnshire.

Pilots and engineers from yesteryear, as well as Air Cadets representing the future of the RAF, were also at RAF Waddington for the special diamond season celebration.

It's been 60 years since the Red Arrows first formed - Henry Prince was one of the pilots back then:

"We didn't really think it was going to last 60 years. It's a good way of flag waving for the air force, and a good way of flag waving for the country.

"I used to do the opposition work and I used to enjoy doing that, the synchronised acrobatics

"It was quite exhilarating" .

Henry Prince flying in the Folland Gnat while a pilot with the Red Arrows

Red 4, Olly Suckling says it great to get the dates out there:

"It's been good we've been able to get them out so early this year.

"Especially with us going to Canada to celebrate the Canadian Air Force 100th, so it's been really important for us to get those dates out so people can get out and see us as much as possible"

Wing Commander Adam Collins - is the officer commanding the Red Arrows:

"Each year we rearrange the sequence, take some manoeuvres out, put some different ones in, and this year we've got some that haven't been seen for over 20 years.

"We're really big fans of the seaside shows, certainly the ones where the audience can attend without paying a fee.

"Those are always really popular, and displaying over the sea on a beachfront in the UK summer is a wonderful thing".

The dates and locationshave been released today.

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