The Red Arrows teamed up with four of their European counterparts for this unique formation, flown last Friday over the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford. Britain’s finest are celebrating the Red Arrows’ 50th anniversary this year. They were joined over the Cotswold countryside by the leaders of four other teams appearing at RIAT: the Breitling Jet Team (L-39 Albatros); Frecce Tricolore (MB-339); Patrouille de France (Alpha Jet); and Patrouille Suisse (F-5E).

Spectators were admitted to RIAT on a Friday for the first time, for a Red Arrows ‘Pit Day’ where they could get up close and personal with the red-painted Hawk T.1 jets and their pilots. Joining them was HRH The Prince of Wales, who paid a short visit to the flight line. The Reds will also be flying at Farnborough on Friday through Sunday this week, despite a hiccup during their validation here last Wednesday, when one of the jets suffered a bird strike.

The Red Arrows were formed in 1964 and flew their first displays the following year. They flew the diminutive Folland Gnat jet trainer until 1980, when they re-equipped with the BAe Hawks. During that time, 150 pilots have worn the distinctive red flying suits; there have been 21 team leaders. The current ‘Red 1’ is Squadron Leader Jim Turner, a former Jaguar pilot who first flew with the team in 2005-07 and rejoined as the boss in 2012. The team has flown more than 4,600 displays in 55 countries during its history. Supporting the team are about 85 engineers and 30 other RAF personnel.