The pilots can only have 3 seasons each, and the competition to replace them is brutal, before they HAVE to retire and go back to their RAF duties. I was honoured to see them at Scampton, on my birthday, practising their full routine. At one stage I was the only person there, and most stunts were performed right in front of me. Including the heart, and arrow!! They waved as they landed and taxied, and it was the most memorable and thrilling day of my life. It made this old lady very very happy.
The Pilots do a three - four year tour with the Red Arrows, with Red One being the leader usually a position for a pilot in his thirdfourth year. The first year requires considerable training to get the new pilots up to the standard required. Even new members of the team will display on their first year with the team. It is true that there is considerable wish for RAF Pilots to fly with the Red Arrows.
Unfortunately, this video stopped just as a Full display at the beach was starting, with beautiful clear blue skies, so I am assuming you either stopped your review prematurely or chose an incomplete episode to review, as the Full display at the beach was the best one shown in the series. You need to see what the Red Arrows are capable of, when their routines are not restricted by low cloud cover. The jets they fly are Hawk Training Aircraft, I think they are about 40 years old, so they are not packed with technology and masses of 21st Century Avionics to help them.
The 'Reds' are incredible. I've seen them display at multitudes of airshows here in the UK. I don't think I've ever seen them without my camera attached to my face, though - trying for the 'perfect shot' of the synchro pair passing each other (I've managed it three times so far out of hundreds of attempts!). Their full airshow is incredible. Was so pleased for Martin Pert (Red One during this tour), that he had this under his belt before Covid hit and curtailed his final season as 'The Boss'. The full version of this is a lot longer, by the way. 3 or 4 parts! It starts with the team planning before embarking on the tour. And how they got over to Canada, with a couple of stops in quite unhospitable places on the way! And they had to leave one of the Hawks behind in one of the stops because of technical issues. Their return was delayed, too. Weather hit as they started their journey. So they had to cool their heels for a few days before it they could continue home. I couldn't rest until they were back!!!
It stated the crowds go wild over the red, white & blue streams .. Hope they realise the red, white & blue is original to Britain, not just a tribute to America! Lol 🇬🇧🇺🇸
@@Paul-hl8yg indeed!!!! I've seen somewhere that some of the people watching the shows were impressed at the 'Red, white and blue' depicting the US flag. Um ... no!!!! They represent the colours of the Union Jack, OUR flag!!!
The red arrows is the pinnacle of any RAF pilots career, they change 3 of the 9 pilots each year. So each pilot only does 3 years in the team. So in any year there are 3 ‘new’ members and 3 that will leave at the end of the season. Most people in aviation agree that the red arrows are the best in the world at what they do. Sadly it doesn’t mean they are perfect 100% of the time and accidents happen even to the best pilots, one was as they came into land at Bournemouth a jet developed a fault and the pilot ditched the aircraft in a field killing himself to prevent it crashing on houses and a school. Jon Egging was his name, maybe look him up?
Another accident occurred at RAF Valley the year before this tour when one pilot (David Stark) was injured and his engineer (Jonathan Bayliss) was killed.
@@DropdudeJohn I don’t believe that for a second, the red arrows pilots are used to high G forces, and all the planes were on almost identical tracks for landing. I believe it was a failure somewhere in the aircraft that caused it to loose altitude.
@@TheM0JEC One of my mates was one of the accident investigators on it and I fly aerobatics and I pull G and although you can build tolerance to it it can hit you any time, it can be cumulative, its worth looking into because its claimed a few lives and few have experienced and got away with it coming around at the last moment. reality was he probably experienced some form of G-loc and came around just before impact
@@TheM0JEC Plus if there had been a failure he would have communicated that on the radio, as I mentioned it also took a Blue Angels pilot recently as well
I was having a really crappy birthday a few years ago, and I stomped into my back garden to get away from my very annoying ex. I heard the engines, and looked up at exactly the right time to see the Red Arrows in perfect V formation, trailing all the smoke, fly maybe 100m directly above my house. I don't know how they knew, but it was the best present ever. I have seen them a few times from my garden. The local heritage railway has a Spitfire display every year that I can see from my own home, and there have been some Dakotas and Hurricanes on occasion, too. You haven't lived until you have had a low flying Merlin engine rattle your windows. I know, I'm very fortunate.
I've seen the Red Arrows "live" a number of times and it's awesome! Such an exhilarating experience. They perform at many events including national occasions and celebrations- Royal events in particular- expect to see them many times in 2022 during the Queen's platinum Jubilee. I was standing at the edge of the airport apron one morning and was completely surprised as they landed ahead of their performance- my adrenaline was up for the entire day! Sadly there have been fatalities- one took place several years ago.
The best display I saw was at Southend on sea and the closed the show. The announcer just said “ladies and gentlemen, the red arrows” and boom with perfect timing they flew right overhead of us. Epic.
I was out walking dogs with my daughter in Leavesden on Fathers Day when suddenly the Red Arrows appeared over the tree's of the park low level in formation with the red white and blue smoke on, it felt like my own flypast and I thanked my daughter for arranging it for me!!!!!! In truth the Red Arrows were doing a flypast for an old RAF pilot in the area as they made their way back from an airshow to their base at Scampton. It was still fantastic and pure luck but did manage a few photos on the phone.
The Arrows are without exception the finest aerial display team in the world.. One has to be an exceptional pilot to even "try out" for this elite group of pilots.
Whenever I see the Red Arrows it makes me proud to be British. I’ve been so lucky to have seen them so many times and occasionally fly over my house on their way to a show. I hope Joel you get to see them in your home town or maybe 👍 over here in the UK. 🤞
STEPHEN BROUGH . That happened to me many years ago when I was out in my garden hanging some washing up one day. I heard a loud roar, turned round and they flew overhead, quite low, in formation. I am quite near Odiham so maybe they were training there. It was fantastic.
Not Red Arrows, but I did see a group of four P51 Mustangs on their way to Eastbourne airshow as they passed over my town, luckily I walking through a car park when I heard the drone of their engines, so I was able to get a good look at them. The first 3 were flying in a V formation with the 4th hanging back behind them. They were very low, only about 500 feet. They had black and white stripes on their wings, so I wonder if they were used in the D-Day landings.
@@dotregan1506 Odiham - I thought it was a typo at first - I read Oldham - now I look it up I see Odiham is in hampshire - I'm in Bolton, not far from oldham, so I can't recall why the Red Arrows were displaying in this area. It was GREAT to see though - just MIND BOGGLING to randomly see fast jets flying sideways past your window ... it'll never happen again.
@@fr1day2 My brother in Wales told me how shocked he was sunbathing when jets go over unusually low. I've seen the footage of them practising in Wales, Tornado jets back in the day, and I can see what he means.
I watched this documentary when it first came out but never tire of watching it again! I'm fortunate to live on the Solent beaches here in England we face the Isle of Wight where Cowes week takes place each August (with the exception of disruptions during Covid of course) The Red Arrows put on a show at the end of Cowes week so it's not u usual to have them Passover our roof tops! 😁
Isn't this part III of the 4-part documentary about the Reds' tour of the US? We have it recorded from TV when it was screened in Winter 2019. I actually enjoyed when they were in Canada as well ...which I think straddled the 1st and 2nd parts.
I also grew up on the Solent and can remember watching the red arrows practicing their manoeuvres over the sea. They often had a stopover at HMS Daedalus, one of several naval bases in the area. It was always a thrill to watch, whether practicing or actual display at an airshow.
I've seen the red arrows a few times at the Southend Airshow - along with the Vulcan Bomber , they were excellent and make you go all " goosey " when they fly over
One of the delights of British summertime is suddenly having these guys roar up on you unexpectedly at low level- either near their base in Scampton or RAF Valley in Anglesey- it's always a privelege- and to see them in "public" at an airshow is an unforgettable memory, imprinted on millions of our minds- if you ever get chance to see them, take it!
Living in England, I have been lucky enough to watch The Red Arrows perform many times live at various airshows and en route to other displays for over 40 years. The thrill is always the same and I still get goosebumps watching. The spectacle of the skill, sights and sounds....Superb! 'Smoke on......Go!'
Yes, we are very proud of our Arrows! We are also lucky enough to live in a town where they perform each year so we are privileged and if we do not make our town they fly over our garden (literally) anyways!! Love them.
@@KissMyFatAxe Perhaps also.. Between the British Union Flag & the Stars & Stripes Flag.. The British East India Company Flag? Just to complete the story! 😉 🇬🇧🇺🇸
@@JD-eo7dr The red, white & blue is original to Britain. The 13 red/white stripes on the Stars & Stripes, represents the 13 English/British colonies in the 'New World' America. The British East India company was the main company that took trade from one part of the British empire to another. Its flag showing those 13 red/white stripes flew on the vessels that came to the ports of America. The very vessel that the tea was taken from in Boston harbour most probably flew that flag. Despite alternative history being taught, to the citizens of early America.. They were very proud of being part of the British empire & many very reluctant to break away from it. We see this in many ways, one is the design of the flag for a new nation, born out of the British empire, continuing the very way of life practiced by their genetic families back in the UK. Breaking away from the mother nation & her vast empire, must have been very daunting, the bond soon recovered however. The UK carried on supplying trade with the former colony. The links are very deep going back to the beginnings of Your nation, the British beginnings of Your nation! Quote from Wikipedia: " The flag of the East India Company is considered to have inspired the 1775 Grand Union Flag, the first flag of the United States, as the two flags were of the same design.[3] This connection is attributed to numerous sources. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania once gave a speech endorsing the adoption of the Company's flag by the United States as their national flag. He said to George Washington of Virginia, "While the field of your flag must be new in the details of its design, it need not be entirely new in its elements. There is already in use a flag, I refer to the flag of the East India Company."[9] This was a way of symbolising American loyalty to the Crown as well as the United States' ". 🇬🇧❤🇺🇸
To me, an English person, the way you said "aerobatic" then sounded exactly like you said "arab attic". I swear I don't know why that made me laugh so much 🤣🤣
Joel ,they don't just retire ,they go back to there fighter squadron or on to the transport squadrons,to be picked for the reds ,you have to be a fighter pilot ,
My story isnt about the red arrows but RAF Pilots in general. A few years ago i was watching low level flying in the USA. The commentator was on about the USAF Fighters flying low. Then he nearly s/it himself. He was all of a sudden witnessing the RAF Fighters flying underneath the USA fighters. That is low level flying indeed. Full of praise for all of our Armed Forces.
As an ex member of the WRAF, I am naturally really proud of the Arrows - especially remembering that these aircraft are no longer in service - these are unique to the team. I have seen them on several occasions but one of the most memorable was totally unexpected - away on vacation at the coast we went to Whitby for the day and enjoyed a fantastic display, watching from the cliff top near the Abbey as the flew out over the North Sea!😊
I live on the seafront in Weston-super-Mare England. There is a two day air show each summer. The red arrows use my road junction to line up the middle of the display so I get an amazing view. I have seen them do their low cloud displays and regular displays and also during quick changing weather seen them abandon their display in the middle due to low cloud and rain. The vibration of buildings and your body as they fly directly overhead is awesome. Such talented team keeping the red arrows flying
When I was in RAF I was stationed at RAF Finningley in South Yorkshire. You were not allowed any leave on Battle of Britain day 15th September or nearest Sunday to the 15th. I was at Finningley for five years so, I have seen them five times on camp. RAF Scampton where the Red Arrows are based is only 25 miles from where I live, so we see them practising regularly.
These guys were zipping around all day yesterday because it was so clear... I live in Lincoln so I see them practising all the time! It's nice to see them being appreciated elsewhere :) Makes me proud!
When I lived in Cyprus I used to lie on the beach and watch the Red Arrows rehearsals and try-outs of new routines over the sea and closer to the ground. They spend time in the winter at RAF base Akrotiri, close to where I lived. Really cool to see.
The RAF & USAF (and ALL the other armed services of both countries) are very close collaborators, including sharing bases, training programmes and even aircraft designs! USAF have had UK bases since the WW2. As a fighter jet-nut I have been to many awesome USAF/RAF UK AIRSHOWS!! Those gorgeous RED Hawks!! BTW THE RED ARROW PILOTS ARE OPERATIONAL MILITARY PILOTS WHO COMPETE FOR A 3-YEAR STINT IN THE RAF RED A DISPLAY TEAM!!👏👍✌️🚀🌟
Once we were flying out to Turkey at Newcastle airport we were going down the runway as the Red Arrows were coming in one after the other on the runway adjacent, It was pretty cool to see. Sunderland airshow was on the same day.
@@tordoff80 It's always on during my Summer holidays abroad. A flight company went bust and we lost our Hols that year, so we decided to go to the airshow. Guess what....It was called off because of fog and bad weather and we got soaked!!
Love it .. being an English girl I have been lucky enough to see the Red Arrows many times ... and still get goosebumps watching this 😊 Loving your content
I've seen them many times now, in a variety of conditions. Always an immaculate performance. And the way they arrive on display literally to the split second every single performance isn't really surprising, but it gets me every time. Do check out videos of them at Dartmouth in Devon, UK. It's a pretty tight valley, and they use the space to its most dramatic advantage. Some of the bigger boats/ships actually have to remove masts before the display. 🥰
You were asking for recommendations of British things to react to- one of the most iconic and memorable British videos I have watched (and being British, I have watched many thousands in my lifetime!) is this one: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kNTnrpL1Uw0.html The SUV Caravan Challenge from Top Gear- I would give my back teeth to watch you react to this, JPS! And to anyone reading this, enjoy to the full!
"So close" ...when the Red Arrows were using the Folland Gnat one of their sequences was known as the Russian Roulette...... it got removed from their display routine now that was close
I lived in Houston, Texas for 7 years in the 90s. Houston has an air show every year, and usually the Blue Arrows appear. While they were on the show list, about 1/3rd of tickets had been sold. It turned out the Blue Arrows couldn't do the show, so the Red Arrows said they'd step in. Within 2 days, the other 2/3rds of tickets were sold!
They don't earn money to retire by doing this, they are serving RAF pilots who get chosen to join the red arrows. Once it's over its back to the normal duties.
I've seen the red arrows many times, along with the aircraft at RAF displays, of course, Lancaster bomber, Eurofighter Typhoon (A very loud plane), the hurricane, spitfires, Tucano T1s, etc, not seen them in many years though sadly, as my local airshow has been shutdown, will have to travel to one, someday.
Seen the arrows arial displays in southend. It gives you goosebumps watching them , you can hear the low rumble before you see them then the noise as they come over. Makes you proud to be british. The also did flyover london and they flew over our house, everyone locally got really excited.
Each pilot only stays in the team for three years to allow more to get the opportunity to join. Afterwards they will return. to their "normal" Air Force squadrons and continue their careers.
About 10 or 11 years ago there was a display that flew over our house so we watched it from the garden. It was good. But they are good and I have seen them on display several times. Where I grew up they flew over the house as they were flying from Barnstaple to Plymouth. They were not in display but it was still good seeing them. But I think they are brilliant. They usually do a display at the Bournemouth Air festival every year but didn't the year they flew around the US. I live on the coast half way between Bournemouth and Southampton so sometimes we see various display planes flying to the Bournemouth Air show.
Years ago I went on holiday with my sister and went on the beach wondering why it was so empty. Suddenly two red arrows jets came from nowhere around twenty feet above our heads. Frightened us to death. Got off the beach pretty quick, we didn't know there was a display. 😀
We were in Bakewell one day, during the holidays a few years back. Emerged from a cafe where we had been having lunch and suddenly heard the sound of a jet, very low. Looked up and saw a red plane disappearing over the trees. Could hardly believe my eyes! 'Oh my god! That was ,... where are the rest of his friends??!' Then, almost immediately, there was a huge roar and 9 red Hawks appeared!!!! They were displaying at a nearby tractor show (as you would). It was just sheer coincidence we had been in Bakewell at that time to see them! We used to go to Elvington Air Show, then Waddington (I miss Waddy), now Cosford Air show. So we have seen thrm umpteen times over the decades. Haven't seen them since 2019!!! Hopefully, we'll get to an airshow this year...
I live near Lincoln and regularly see them practicing. They’re currently based at Scampton, a few miles north of the city, but next year they move to Waddington, which is only a couple of miles from me. They’ve recently been doing some training out of Waddington and practicing right over my house. My friend’s husband is one of the current reds. It’s a real honour and the guys take their role very seriously but are very humble. Oh and you said about the guy who only did 3 years and was retiring. They normally only do 3 years and then it’s someone else’s turn. They don’t retire (unless it’s time anyway). They go and do a different RAF role.
Have seen them many times. My most memorable watching them do aerobatics over my house and on a drive to Devon, curious to why so many drivers had pulled over, stopped and joined them as Red Arrows flew overhead.
Never had much time for them, be better off looking for "the red barrows"....... these guys do it all for charity, funniest thing on youtube, "formation" displays with wheelbarrows!!! Have a look, telling you, they're hilarious
The Red Arrows aren't just the RAF Display team they are really the best of the best of the RAF they are effectively the Top Gun of the RAF The red arrows display team don't actually retire as in retire they retire from the tour of duty with the Display team
Awww love these guys based near me all my life and watched them practice, Sorry they moved basestho but loved them making my roof rattle, great documentary
They still fly Vulcans at air shows? I've gotta see that. I've see a Vulcan up close, even touched one, at an Aeropark in Donnington, it was the same one that flew from GB, to the Falklands, did a bombing run, then flew straight back to GB in one single, long journey. But I've never seen one fly in person.
@@KissMyFatAxe it has at the Clacton air show. I thought recently too, but just googled it and it says the last time was back in 2015. Doesn't seem that long ago tbh. I can still hear it lol
@@KissMyFatAxe The Last flying Vulcan XH558 is based at Doncaster. I saw it several times before it was stopped flying. I saw its final display at Shuttleworth. I cried, 😪 a very sad day! I'm sure there is a RU-vid video of that display!
I live in an area where we routinely see flybys, I have seen the Red Arrows quite a few times. Also watching old planes including Second World War planes is magical. Nothing like the sound of Spitfire and Hurricane flybys.
I was on the team for 5 years and was definitely a great way to finish my RAF service. I never tired of watching them and flying in the back seat always made me smile.
The Red Arrows are simply the best ever. They were doing training when I was flying back from a holiday one year & as we left the arrivals lounge the pilots had also landed & were walking towards us. It was like a welcoming committee.
The Red Arrows scared the heck out of me a few years back. I was in the bathroom and could not see out as it has a frosted glass window. Suddenly some jets flew over one after the other, and it sounded like and felt like they were just above the rooftop. Later I saw on TV news that the Red Arrows had performed at a local airshow. Then it made sense. Of course only the Red Arrows would be allowed to fly so low.
always love seeing the red arrows. everytime i see them they are so unbelievably synchronised. Almost do a show every year down how here in Plymouth,England. i recommend watching a full display video
I have watched the Red Arrows at a number of air shows, but on one occasion I was working on a school sports field, and I heard this terrific roar, looked up and saw the reds in formation flying at low level right over my head it was a shock at first but what a glorious sight I had never seen them so close at displays, I like to think it was my own personal flypast.
They have a way of appearing out of the blue as they did when I was cliff walking in Dorset I think it was, suddenly up the front of the hill and in my face virtually, I nearly fell over backwards!!
I have seen the Red Arrows numerous times, they fly over regularly when they are practicing in Lincolnshire, it's always a sight to behold seeing them flying so close to each other in formation, the roar from the engines can't be missed, you can often hear them long before you see them.
Years ago I took my very young Family to see the Red Arrows to a demonstration over t6he Sea off Brighton Sussex between the Piers. They were flying Fullend Gnats trainers' Jets. The display was amazing with perfect weather.. Part of the display was two jets flying at very low height towards each other and changing profile to pass. In the Sea were many yachts tosee the display, and one of the jets clipped the top of the mast of a yacht. The Pilot pulled the jet out to sea and pulled the ejector seat. and parachuted into the Sea, with boats roaring out to pick him up. My kids were astonished as we all were! The aircraft crashed into the sea and the Pilot wa\s safe. Yachts are now banned and the rules were all changed !
I was in Brighton that day but didn't know about the aircraft being there. I was in The Lanes shopping, when the planes went over everyone ducked down it was such a shock!
Watched them several times on our local beach, the last time they flew, was an awesome sight. Could you please react to the Welsh Eisteddfod festival competition Joel, would love to see your reaction & thoughts.
So looking forward to this video, I’m a lifelong fan of the Red Arrows and so proud of them, plus I followed much of their USA tour through various live feeds on FB , it was spectacular particularly seeing the Reds fly over Niagara Falls . Thank you for covering this one 😊 🇺🇸🇬🇧
We have a Red Arrows show every year here in Windermere in the Lake District. It's a thank you from the RAF for using the lake District all year for low flying training :)
Remember going for my aptitude test in Oxford to join the RAF as an Officer (Pilot).... Failed.... Such a bummer.... So I just had to get my PPL... Only way I could fly.... LOL
I've seen the Red Arrows a few times at Biggin Hill, I remember one time when they flew alongside the Concorde, one of their manovers is the iconic Concorde shape, superb aircraft and exceptional pilots. 🛩️🛩️🛩️🛩️🛩️🛩️🛩️🛩️🛩️🇬🇧🇺🇲👍
Cool video! I have been lucky enough to see the Red Arrows perform dozens of times here in the UK. I have also been lucky enough to meet some of the pilots and even had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of one of the aircraft. The Red Arrows are a huge part of Britain and its great to see them show of their skill and talent away from home.
I went camping last summer in Devon UK and to my surprise the red arrows were going a show right above our beachside campsite, so awesome to watch and hear the planes above . Would go every year if I could to see them. Great reaction 👍🏼
The current trainer aircraft used by the Red Arrows is the British Aerospace Systems HAWK T2. The US Navy adopted this plane as its Advanced Trainer and this is built under licence as the Boeing McDonnell GOSHAWK T45.
You HAVE to watch Absolutely Fabulous. it was the biggest British comedy in the world in the late 1990's and 2000. It is really really funny and brilliant
Came across your RU-vid channel today, loving your reactions! The Red Arrows are based at R.A.F Scampton home of the 617 Dambusters squadron here in my home city of Lincoln. UK. Suppose we are use to seeing them in the skies practicing and yes, it makes us smile! Liking your channel, very entertaining... keep it up.
I was lucky enough to meet some of the reds in 2020 for a VJ day 75...they done a display for 3 WW2 veterans...and we had a great chat with them....brilliant guys
Hi, I just found your video clip of the Red Arrows visit to North America, I am a resident of Biggin Hill which is the RAF Fighter Station made famous during the Battle of Britain. I was for a number of years one of the Directors of the Airport Board and in 1990 - 1994 I was the Chairman of the Board. Biggin Hill was the location of the first Red Arrows display back in 1978, back then they flew the Follen Knat. The change to the Hawk Trainer has proved a great steed for the pilots.
Glad you liked it. 🙂👍 It's a shame that your copy of the TV programme was incomplete. The missing full display sequence at the end of the full video was superb.
