THE RED ARROWS 

Equipped with the hawk since 1980, the Red Arrows are famous throughout the world for their precision aerobatic display routine.  Formed in 1965 with 9 Folland Gnats the Red Arrows display team have subsequently performed thousands of displays both in the UK and around the world.  The BAe Hawk was adopted as the teams mount in 1980 and the aircrafts excellent maneuverability and handling have proved the type to be the ideal aircraft for the role.  Each year 3 new members join for a 3 year tour with the team.  Training commences in late September and continues until the start of the display season in May.  Around 100 displays are completed each season.  Flying close formation acrobatics requires hours of practice.  The winter months are spent rehearsing the routine, which is videotaped to aid post flight analysis.  With visibility of at least 3.4 miles (5.5km) and a cloud base of over 4,495 ft. (1,370m), the team can perform their full display that lasts 25-30 minutes.  Included in the routine is the “synchro pair”, with fly crossovers.  They pass each other at a distance of 3ft. (9.14 m), with a closing speed of 650 mph (1050 km/h).  With careful manipulation of the throttle and fly controls, the team members change the shape of the formation throughout the routine.  The red arrows aircraft are distinctively painted in high gloss signal red polyurethane.  A white stripe runs along the fuselage, dividng into red, white, and blue segments on the tail.  White lines beneath the wings outline a striking red arrow design. The area forward of the cockpit contains the nosewheel bay, and avionics equipment.  If you look closely at its nose you will notice the aircrafts small iff (identify friend or foe) aerial.  The landing light at the tip of the nose is left on throughout the display to add to the visual display.  The Martin Baker MK 10D ejection sea is installed in the Hawk.  The rear sea is rarely occupied during displays although it is often used by ground crew when being ferried from the base to a display venue.  Each Red Arrows Hawk carries a ventral pod containing a 318L tank.  The tank is separated into 2 compartments, one containing diesel oil and the other containing red and blue dye.  The oil and dye, pumped to 3 nozzles which project into the back of the jet pipe, are injected into the exhaust, so producing the red, white and blue smoke.