red arrows vs blue angels etc
Discussion
I dont know if this has been covered before, just watched a blue angels video, are they the best formation flying team in the world? how do the red arrows compare, would our constant budget restraints effect them regarding practice time etc. Also how would the french formation team and also the italian team measure up, i,m sure there is more ie spanish etc, how would a league table look?
Having spent many an hour at the winter home of the blue Angels I've never actually seen them fly so can't comment on them however I can comment on 5years of working the UK air show circuit and the red arrows have not been the best for any of them years unfortunately.
By far the best display team is the Frecce Tricolori even down to the commentary just finishes off the whole package. The Reds commentary does not engage the crowd and the display is dull in comparison.
By far the best display team is the Frecce Tricolori even down to the commentary just finishes off the whole package. The Reds commentary does not engage the crowd and the display is dull in comparison.
I've always thought that the Reds were slick and professional. The Frecci are flamboyant but maybe not quite as precise. The Patrouille de France are ALMOST as good as the Reds - but not quite.
The two American teams, the Blue Angels (US Navy) and the Thunderbirds (US Air Force) are a different sort of display team. They use bigger and heaver aircraft (fighters rather than trainers) so their displays are more about tight, noisy and sometimes very fast formation flypasts rather than manoeuverability.
The two American teams, the Blue Angels (US Navy) and the Thunderbirds (US Air Force) are a different sort of display team. They use bigger and heaver aircraft (fighters rather than trainers) so their displays are more about tight, noisy and sometimes very fast formation flypasts rather than manoeuverability.
Eric Mc said:
I've always thought that the Reds were slick and professional. The Frecci are flamboyant but maybe not quite as precise. The Patrouille de France are ALMOST as good as the Reds - but not quite.
The two American teams, the Blue Angels (US Navy) and the Thunderbirds (US Air Force) are a different sort of display team. They use bigger and heaver aircraft (fighters rather than trainers) so their displays are more about tight, noisy and sometimes very fast formation flypasts rather than manoeuverability.
Although if you watch the Reds enough you'll notice they aren't as precise as what people believe. The two American teams, the Blue Angels (US Navy) and the Thunderbirds (US Air Force) are a different sort of display team. They use bigger and heaver aircraft (fighters rather than trainers) so their displays are more about tight, noisy and sometimes very fast formation flypasts rather than manoeuverability.
Would that not be the same if you were to compare all the display flying teams? maybe you have.
I would have thought that the USA defence budget would allow much more practice time and probably making them the best.
I went to many airshows in the past and saw the red arrows on many occasions as far back as when they used gnats, they described them as the best in the world, i believed that as i was very young, rightly or wrongly, maybe they were at the time.
I would have thought that the USA defence budget would allow much more practice time and probably making them the best.
I went to many airshows in the past and saw the red arrows on many occasions as far back as when they used gnats, they described them as the best in the world, i believed that as i was very young, rightly or wrongly, maybe they were at the time.
ecsrobin said:
Although if you watch the Reds enough you'll notice they aren't as precise as what people believe.
They vary a bit from year to year as the team has personnel changes year on year. Their displays this year at Farnborough were excellent - despite having TWO bird strikes.Some years back the Reds flew at an airshow weekend in the US or Canada (can’t remember which).
There were teams from many different countries so despite it not being a competition there was quite an undercurrent of trying to be the best.
On the final day there was to be a dusk display for a VIP evening bash. The team chosen to perform was selected by votes from all the other display teams.
The Reds were chosen and the Blue Angles Team drove them out to the flight line and presented as a Guard of Honour as the Reds went to their aircraft.
Steve
There were teams from many different countries so despite it not being a competition there was quite an undercurrent of trying to be the best.
On the final day there was to be a dusk display for a VIP evening bash. The team chosen to perform was selected by votes from all the other display teams.
The Reds were chosen and the Blue Angles Team drove them out to the flight line and presented as a Guard of Honour as the Reds went to their aircraft.
Steve
I'll always been a big fan of the Reds, however .....
AT RIAT 2012 (I think) there was a team from South Korea, peddling their own little home built jets which had been transported in 747's to get here.
Their display was absolutely brilliant. First time in ages that I just put the camera down and watched n absorbed it. Whether it was the jets, the flying skills or a combi of both I couldn't say. Jut soooo impressed with them.
Wish they would come back.
AT RIAT 2012 (I think) there was a team from South Korea, peddling their own little home built jets which had been transported in 747's to get here.
Their display was absolutely brilliant. First time in ages that I just put the camera down and watched n absorbed it. Whether it was the jets, the flying skills or a combi of both I couldn't say. Jut soooo impressed with them.
Wish they would come back.
paul_y3k said:
I'll always been a big fan of the Reds, however .....
AT RIAT 2012 (I think) there was a team from South Korea, peddling their own little home built jets which had been transported in 747's to get here.
Their display was absolutely brilliant. First time in ages that I just put the camera down and watched n absorbed it. Whether it was the jets, the flying skills or a combi of both I couldn't say. Jut soooo impressed with them.
Wish they would come back.
These guys: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Eagles_aerobati...AT RIAT 2012 (I think) there was a team from South Korea, peddling their own little home built jets which had been transported in 747's to get here.
Their display was absolutely brilliant. First time in ages that I just put the camera down and watched n absorbed it. Whether it was the jets, the flying skills or a combi of both I couldn't say. Jut soooo impressed with them.
Wish they would come back.
It helped that the jets were a lot louder than the other display teams, but they also seemed to be flying faster and closer than all the other teams. I think the issue I have with the Red Arrows is that I've seen them so many times they lose the 'wow' factor. (Not wanting to take anything away from the obvious commitment and skill that they show).
ecsrobin said:
I should add that one of the best display teams about is the blades who are made up of ex Reds pilots.
I find them quite tedious, their slot is often the cue for me to have a wee or fetch a beer 
Have a bit of a soft spot for the Canadian Snowbirds who I've seen a few times.
Joey Ramone said:
We get a Red Arrows display every year at work (military establishment). I have to say they bore the tits off me. And half the time they're out of sight anyway, and all you've got is some squawking on a tannoy.
thank the Italians for that ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramstein_air_show_dis...
although the UK aren;t entirely blame free in such things
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_Farnborough_Airs...
lsit of Air show incidents
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air_show_acci...
mph1977 said:
thank the Italians for that ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramstein_air_show_dis...
although the UK aren;t entirely blame free in such things
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_Farnborough_Airs...
lsit of Air show incidents
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air_show_acci...
I was under the impression that the Italians ensure that every moment of their display remains in view of the watching public. It's one of the distinguishing factors of their performance in comparison to other teams.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramstein_air_show_dis...
although the UK aren;t entirely blame free in such things
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_Farnborough_Airs...
lsit of Air show incidents
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air_show_acci...
I remember watching the Frecci at the 1985 Fairford Air Tattoo and thinking that their display was very exuberant and fun. In 1988, a number of the 1985 team lost their lives in the Ramsein disasdter. Maybe their display was just that but too exuberant.
The Fanbrough accident of 1952 was a very different type of accident, caused by a structural break up of an aeroplane rather than a misjudgment by a pilot or team.
The Fanbrough accident of 1952 was a very different type of accident, caused by a structural break up of an aeroplane rather than a misjudgment by a pilot or team.
Would be interested to hear your thoughts on the Spanish "Patrulla Águila". As since I have moved to San Javier in Spain I have seen them practice most mornings, and due to my Son and one of the pilots sons playing in the same football team, had become friends and were invited to a VIP display by them at the beginning of summer this year at the Airbase, and was very impressed with them.
Standing on the airfield outside the hanger with only 25 others may have made it a little more special mind you.
Kids got to meet the full display team, pics in the aircraft and signed pictures. pilots all had time to talk, was very good indeed.
Standing on the airfield outside the hanger with only 25 others may have made it a little more special mind you.
Kids got to meet the full display team, pics in the aircraft and signed pictures. pilots all had time to talk, was very good indeed.
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