The Blue Angels vs The Red Arrows
Discussion
I have been a massive fan of the Red Arrows since I was a kid but having viewed a number of Blue Angles videos recently I am wondering if their routines are becoming a little stale.
The Blue Angles appear to have a lot more latitude in what they are able to do, like supersonic flyovers, low level passes and demonstrations above cities. They also appear to have a bigger repertoire of maneuvers.
Personally I would love to see a BA display someday. What is the opinion of others on here?
The Blue Angles appear to have a lot more latitude in what they are able to do, like supersonic flyovers, low level passes and demonstrations above cities. They also appear to have a bigger repertoire of maneuvers.
Personally I would love to see a BA display someday. What is the opinion of others on here?
I find the US display teams a bit dull to be honest. I've seen both the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels, and while their formation flying is impressively 'tight' there's not much else to it. Add that to the seemingly endless time it takes them to turn round and set up for the next pass and I was left feeling underwhelmed. The Reds (in fact European(?)) type of display always has something on show, there's no waiting between each showpiece.
I always liked The Reds more as a child with the coloured manoeuvres etc. but now the ridiculously tight flying of the Blue Angels impresses me more so I guess it's just what you want out of it, having a matching C-130 also helps! Agree with The Thunderbirds being less impressive, prefer the Swiss and Italian teams over them.
Many years ago the Reds flew at a big air display in the US which lasted several days. There were display teams from many countries.
On the last day there was a VIP bash at the end of the day and a sunset flying display.
The team to fly this display was chosen by the other display teams...The Reds flew the display.
They were collected and delivered to the flightline by the Blue Angles team bus and were greeted at the flightline by the full Angles team and ground crew and were then escorted to their respective aircraft.
Steve
On the last day there was a VIP bash at the end of the day and a sunset flying display.
The team to fly this display was chosen by the other display teams...The Reds flew the display.
They were collected and delivered to the flightline by the Blue Angles team bus and were greeted at the flightline by the full Angles team and ground crew and were then escorted to their respective aircraft.
Steve
Streetrod said:
I have been a massive fan of the Red Arrows since I was a kid but having viewed a number of Blue Angles videos recently I am wondering if their routines are becoming a little stale.
The Blue Angles appear to have a lot more latitude in what they are able to do, like supersonic flyovers, low level passes and demonstrations above cities. They also appear to have a bigger repertoire of maneuvers.
Personally I would love to see a BA display someday. What is the opinion of others on here?
Well to be fair, of the four criticisms you've raised, only one is really down to the Reds themselves. Permission to perform supersonic flyovers, low level passes and demonstrations above cities is out of their hands.The Blue Angles appear to have a lot more latitude in what they are able to do, like supersonic flyovers, low level passes and demonstrations above cities. They also appear to have a bigger repertoire of maneuvers.
Personally I would love to see a BA display someday. What is the opinion of others on here?
I think each have their strengths as displays.
The Blue Angels have produced some great onboard footage of their tight formation flying, which I have seen on IMAX and it was mind blowing. I don't know if the Red Arrows have done the same, but they could and if they did, it would be equally as amazing. Ability wise, I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Arrows were considered more accomplished but F18s trump Hawks for sheer spectacle, and as I'm a bit Red Arrow fatigued, 'd rather see a Blue Angel display.
As for Thunderbirds, where I learned to fly in the US, one of their F16s used to drop by now and gain for a pass and steep climb and it made fantastic viewing from the apron.
The Blue Angels have produced some great onboard footage of their tight formation flying, which I have seen on IMAX and it was mind blowing. I don't know if the Red Arrows have done the same, but they could and if they did, it would be equally as amazing. Ability wise, I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Arrows were considered more accomplished but F18s trump Hawks for sheer spectacle, and as I'm a bit Red Arrow fatigued, 'd rather see a Blue Angel display.
As for Thunderbirds, where I learned to fly in the US, one of their F16s used to drop by now and gain for a pass and steep climb and it made fantastic viewing from the apron.
Boatbuoy said:
I find the US display teams a bit dull to be honest. I've seen both the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels, and while their formation flying is impressively 'tight' there's not much else to it. Add that to the seemingly endless time it takes them to turn round and set up for the next pass and I was left feeling underwhelmed. The Reds (in fact European(?)) type of display always has something on show, there's no waiting between each showpiece.
^This.boyse7en said:
Streetrod said:
The Blue Angles appear to have a lot more latitude in what they are able to do,
I think you are just being obtuseAm I right?
Streetrod said:
boyse7en said:
Streetrod said:
The Blue Angles appear to have a lot more latitude in what they are able to do,
I think you are just being obtuseAm I right?
aeropilot said:
Boatbuoy said:
I find the US display teams a bit dull to be honest. I've seen both the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels, and while their formation flying is impressively 'tight' there's not much else to it. Add that to the seemingly endless time it takes them to turn round and set up for the next pass and I was left feeling underwhelmed. The Reds (in fact European(?)) type of display always has something on show, there's no waiting between each showpiece.
^This.I saw the end of the same display the next day from about 4-5000 feet the next day on my flight back to LHR.
Streetrod said:
No not really, maybe my choice of words was wrong. What I meant, and I know this is out of the hands of the Reds is that the BA are able to do things that health and safely would not allow the Reds to do in the UK. Plus the fact that the BA's have planes that have supersonic capabilities they are able to perform stunts that the Hawks are just not capable of
Woosh parrot incoming.Damn, when I read 'BA' I assumed an Airbus 380 and a 787 Dreamliner might do some tricks in the sky....
I was tagged on facebook to look at a short video clip of some Americans high up in an office block / apartment block watching parallel to them the Blue Angels fly between the office blocks of the city they were in - that looked cool
I was tagged on facebook to look at a short video clip of some Americans high up in an office block / apartment block watching parallel to them the Blue Angels fly between the office blocks of the city they were in - that looked cool
I went to the Blue Angels show at San Fran during Fleet Week (over ten years ago), and whilst it was good, and a great setting, the Red Arrows display is far superior in most respects for me.
I have a similar view-point with respect to the Thunderbirds, but I haven't seen them for donkey's years - perhaps at Upper Heyford!
I have a similar view-point with respect to the Thunderbirds, but I haven't seen them for donkey's years - perhaps at Upper Heyford!
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