Walk Around a Red Arrows Folland Gnat

Did you know the Red Arrows used to fly the Folland Gnat, before they were equipped with the Hawk?

The Red Arrows were not the first RAF aerobatic team and RAF aerobatic displays date back as far as 1925, when 32 squadron started flying air displays over the Wembley Exhibition in their Sopwith Snipes. The RAF’s first jet team consisted of 3 de Havilland Vampires from RAF Odiham. Future jet teams would be equipped by the Meteor and the Hunter. 111 Squadron became the RAF’s official display team in 1956 and with their Hunters painted all-black, they became known as the Black Arrows. In 1964 the Red Pelicans took over the RAF’s role of flying aerobatic displays and flew the BAC Jet Provost. Later that year a formation of 4 yellow Gnats were to become known as the Yellowjacks.

In 1964 the RAF’s display teams were amalgamated into one unit and from the Red Pelicans and Black Arrows came the Red Arrows. The team were to be based at RAF Little Rissington, RAF Kemble, RAF Fairford and then RAF Scampton. When Scampton closed they were rehomed at RAF Waddington.