Gonk Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 Ah, there were two.. I could only see one to point at - it seemed very loud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonk Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 ...and they've just gone back on the return journey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Supporter Tonge moor green jacket Posted July 7, 2022 Site Supporter Share Posted July 7, 2022 A good number of merlins have been flying over on and off for several weeks. 6 a few days ago, usually 2 at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little whitt Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 went up George's lane had a good view of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrickyTrotter Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 Watched them from Cocker Lodge both days. Excellent. Only 7 planes at shows this year but still 9 at flypasts. 2 pilots retired over the winter. They went out for clear weather training in Greece for 4 weeks in May but 1 pilot got sent home in disgrace for misbehaving. Too late too start training a replacement. The now spare 8th pilot and the CO step in for the 9 plane flypast e.g. Queen's Jubilee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lt. Aldo Raine Posted July 10, 2022 Members Share Posted July 10, 2022 In my ignorance, I didn't realise there were so few Red Arrow pilots. I assume it's because they don't fly often enough to have more than seven (or nine) trained and "match-sharp" at any one time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Supporter Winchester White Posted July 10, 2022 Site Supporter Share Posted July 10, 2022 I have sat in a Hawk, even as a kid it was cramped. My brother did a few airshows when in the RAF, he was a Hawk mechanic and got a ride to quite a few places. It's a cracking little aircraft but the Harrier will always be my fave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrickyTrotter Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 1 hour ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said: In my ignorance, I didn't realise there were so few Red Arrow pilots. I assume it's because they don't fly often enough to have more than seven (or nine) trained and "match-sharp" at any one time? They are the best of the RAF's fast jet pilots. Normally do it for 4 seasons (years). In their first year they do the less riskier stuff (it's all relative) in the displays. Then build up in their second year to stuff like flying at each other at 100 ft above the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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