Jets - Hunters of the RAF Black Arrows

Post by **Lawndart** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:03 pm

Cobra found this, just thought I'd share... Play short video clip!

The Black Arrows, one of the predecessors of the current Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, were an aerobatic demonstration team formed in the 1950s from 111 Squadron (treble-one). One of the many memorable feats accomplished by the Black Arrows was the execution of a 22-plane formation loop in 1958, a photo of which can be seen on the externally-linked web page, and which remains on the record books to this day.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamhist2.html

RFDGuy · Post by **RFDGuy** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:46 am

It's great you brought this up... I was reading a book and it mentioned the Black Arrows and its record formation loop. I planned on asking on a couple of sites if anyone had seen or heard of it, but you got it for me... Thanks.

It's amazing how far the outside wingmen had to move to keep up in such a HUGE formation.

RFDGuy

Post by **Lawndart** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:58 am

In 1957 The Black Arrows were increased to nine aircraft. These were supplemented in 1958 by an additional 13 aircraft from other squadrons in order to perform a 22 aircraft loop and barrel roll at the Farnborough Air Show. This is the greatest number of aircraft ever looped in formation and remains a world record to this day. - Source: http://www.sky-flash.com/reds8.htm & http://www.patricksaviation.com/wiki/Red_Arrows

If anyone actually finds a clip of the loop itself with all 22 aircraft, please post a link! Been looking, but no joy!

Frazer · Post by **Frazer** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:19 am

Lets break this record but then virtual

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:56 am

Good lord that would take a lot of practice, but I am sure that I would be up for it!

Rotorblade · Post by **Rotorblade** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:37 am

That's something else!

Frazer wrote:Lets break this record but then virtual

Sounds like a good project!

Frazer · Post by **Frazer** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:50 am

I think my computer will start whining

Next to that, such a big formation will bring all kinds of problems. I think the outsiders would have severe problems with power, simply not enough lol To solve that you need to fly fast, which brings a lot of unstability in the formation. Better wait for FighterOps with this attempt

Rotorblade · Post by **Rotorblade** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:38 am

Súrion · Post by **Súrion** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:07 pm

Just pull up a little, make screen and tell everyone you did the loop

Atlas · Post by **Atlas** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:08 pm

That was amazing... and definately, if anyone comes across the loop, post it on here please.

Cobra · Post by **Cobra** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 4:40 pm

I have seen the loop video but can't find the link. If you look at the photo you can see it was typical English weather... lots of cloud, and the formation appeared to go into cloud at the top of the loop... absolutely amazing.

I can't see any reason why the VTB, VBA, VSB and the White Ravens can't get together on our server one fine weekend and work on beating this and then some! A video of it would be excellent publicity for our little niche of the online world...

Now, back to finding that link!