Red Arrows in transit. One with smoke on
Discussion
We live under the Daventry Radar Corridor (map: https://x.com/360radaruk/status/724685785170083841... ) so see lots of interesting military planes all the time.
We were sitting outside last night and heard the unmistakable sound of the Red Arrows approaching. When they came over, there were two groups of planes in a V as usual, but in the second group the central plane was trailing red smoke. Did this as far as we could see them into the distance.
Never seen them trailing smoke whilst transiting before, and they weren’t over flying anything of interest as far as I know. Could it just be that the pilot had forgotten to turn it off?
We were sitting outside last night and heard the unmistakable sound of the Red Arrows approaching. When they came over, there were two groups of planes in a V as usual, but in the second group the central plane was trailing red smoke. Did this as far as we could see them into the distance.
Never seen them trailing smoke whilst transiting before, and they weren’t over flying anything of interest as far as I know. Could it just be that the pilot had forgotten to turn it off?
595Heaven said:
We live under the Daventry Radar Corridor (map: https://x.com/360radaruk/status/724685785170083841... ) so see lots of interesting military planes all the time.
We were sitting outside last night and heard the unmistakable sound of the Red Arrows approaching. When they came over, there were two groups of planes in a V as usual, but in the second group the central plane was trailing red smoke. Did this as far as we could see them into the distance.
Never seen them trailing smoke whilst transiting before, and they weren’t over flying anything of interest as far as I know. Could it just be that the pilot had forgotten to turn it off?
I'd guess one of the other planes in the V would have seen it and told him if he had forgotten it?We were sitting outside last night and heard the unmistakable sound of the Red Arrows approaching. When they came over, there were two groups of planes in a V as usual, but in the second group the central plane was trailing red smoke. Did this as far as we could see them into the distance.
Never seen them trailing smoke whilst transiting before, and they weren’t over flying anything of interest as far as I know. Could it just be that the pilot had forgotten to turn it off?
GiantEnemyCrab said:
I'd guess one of the other planes in the V would have seen it and told him if he had forgotten it?
That was my thinking too! We must seen them 15 times a year over the house and I’ve never seen the smoke before!Looking at the picture (I didn’t have my phone with me when they were directly overhead) there seems to be eleven planes?? Quite often see the tenth plane on its own after the main display team have gone over, but never eleven. Double strangeness.
595Heaven said:
Never seen them trailing smoke whilst transiting before, and they weren’t over flying anything of interest as far as I know. Could it just be that the pilot had forgotten to turn it off?
It does happen, infact only recently I saw a video on Faceache of them overflying a wedding celebration during transit, in formation with smoke on.Edit - video links :
https://www.tiktok.com/@truckerdory/video/75266074...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c8e48ep42klo
Edited by 48k on Monday 18th August 14:20
The Reds were transiting to the south coast for displays over the next few days. They usually take a couple of spare aircraft in case one or more of the regular 9 go technical. Flown by Red 10 (Safety Supervisor and show commentator) and Red 11 ( Commanding Officer).
No idea why trailing Red smoke, possibly for visibility for joining aircraft or from the ground while transiting a particular air space, unlikely to be in error.
No idea why trailing Red smoke, possibly for visibility for joining aircraft or from the ground while transiting a particular air space, unlikely to be in error.
Edited by Dashnine on Monday 18th August 13:13
Simpo Two said:
Dashnine said:
No idea why trailing Red smoke, possibly for visibility for joining aircraft or from the ground while transiting a particular air space, unlikely to be in error.
Or the 'off' button didn't work?So if they have been working on it maybe it was an air test. I very much doubt it was just someone forgot. There are 10 pilots and probably transit ground crew up there. I’d be astounded if it was by accident. There is a big indicator right im the pilots view when the pump is active. It would be hard to miss.
MB140 said:
Simpo Two said:
Dashnine said:
No idea why trailing Red smoke, possibly for visibility for joining aircraft or from the ground while transiting a particular air space, unlikely to be in error.
Or the 'off' button didn't work?So if they have been working on it maybe it was an air test. I very much doubt it was just someone forgot. There are 10 pilots and probably transit ground crew up there. I’d be astounded if it was by accident. There is a big indicator right im the pilots view when the pump is active. It would be hard to miss.
48k said:
It does happen, infact only recently I saw a video on Faceache of them overflying a wedding celebration during transit, in formation with smoke on.
Edit - video links :
https://www.tiktok.com/@truckerdory/video/75266074...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c8e48ep42klo
When I first saw this it made me so happy - what an amazing thing to happen - fair play to all Edit - video links :
https://www.tiktok.com/@truckerdory/video/75266074...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c8e48ep42klo
Edited by 48k on Monday 18th August 14:20

They did a flypast at our local primary school fete a few years ago, the organiser was called by the RAF to say they were sorry but were going to be a little late as they had to refuel, so she asked if they’d put the smoke on to compensate - not normally the case on enroute flypasts - and they did while in the big V formation. Very, very cool - best fete ever.
And just to add they do use the smoke in other ways - when Red 1 is first to land he’ll release a puff of smoke so the others can see the wind conditions at the end of the runway.
And just to add they do use the smoke in other ways - when Red 1 is first to land he’ll release a puff of smoke so the others can see the wind conditions at the end of the runway.
Simpo Two said:
Glosphil said:
The thing I spot with those is that they're mirror image. Must be for a reason but I can't see what.
The clock top right isn't mirror imaged. Just another tiny bit of information that adds more weight to it not being an error; they only have a small amount of the red and blue dyes available, maybe a minute's worth, something of that order. So even if they somehow managed to leave it on during a display, they aren't going to get far with it.
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff