Jet Provost teams

well, without sounding overwealmed… wow

thats the kind of insight I’ve been looking for.. the personal insight and/or experiences.

we as enthusiats share a passion that is equalled by none – no matter what side of the showline we are on, we love it. my gratitude and envy goes out to all who have been able to be a part of the experience from the ‘on show’ side of life – just by ‘doing their job’. some of the ‘Snowbirds’ tales I had the pleasure to hear from the Techs a month ago carry the same ring.

c’mon spectators! please, lets hear some personal accounts too… memorable JP Team shows, etc.

JJ

Contrailjj – Here is a text from a website that I came across. Sorry I don’t have any photo’s lying around as it was a long time ago and as we used to fly with the aircraft to each show cameras kind of got in the way of the “beer chits” for the post airshow functions! During my time on the team 75 – 76, I spent virtually every weekend during the summer at airshows servicing my aircraft. The “Flying Circus” (or more aptly referred to as “alcoholics on tour”) consisted of 5 aircraft (JP5A), 4 for the display and 1 spare. Obviously, there were 5 pilots and 5 groundcrew. The spare pilot gave the commentary. During my time we gave shows throughout the UK, France, Germany and the Channel Islands. I flew with Flt Lt Martin (Stumpy) Stoner and Flt Lt Dave Webley, both ex Lightning pilots who served together at RAF Gutersloh in Germany. When flying in transit to airshows the journey was never boring as they were both keen to keep up their “dog fighting” skills, thankfully I had a strong stomach!
On leaving Cranwell Martin Stoner joined the “Red Arrows” I believe he ended his time as a Wg Cmdr flying Tornado’s. The team disbanded after the 76 season due to defence cuts. Anyway, here’s the text and a couple of photos!

The RAFC Cranwell Poachers Aerobatic Team

1965, 1968-1970 seasons
The last Jet Provost team was from the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell.
Their first JP team, consisting of four T.4 aircraft, first flew in the 1965 season as a successor to their DH Vampire team, and the team made a return to the circuit three years later for the 1968 season. The team was given the name “Cranwell Poachers”, originally from a folk song titled “The Lincolnshire Poacher.”
By 1969 had adopted its own markings over the now standard red, white and grey scheme. The team flew at displays until the end of the 1970 when the Unit was received its batch of T.5 Jet Provosts.

1971-1976 seasons
In 1971, the team dropped Cranwell from their name, and were known simply as “The Poachers” The team re-equipped with the Jet Provost T Mk 5 and continued with four-aircraft displays for the next five years.

The Poachers proved to be the last Jet Provost team, and survived until the end of the 1976 airshow season. At the same the MoD ordered the termination of all JP teams as an economy measure.

Another era in Royal Air Force aerobatic team history had come to an end.

BeefyBoy: Nice pic!

I’ve been working on profile illustrations of world aerobatic teams and have profiles created for:

The Sparrows… JP1
Vipers… JP3
LintonGIN… JP4
Macaws (1968)… JP4
Macaws (1971)… JP4
Magistrates… JP4
Red Pelicans… JP4

Any additional team info/reference pics (strickly for reference – no reproduction) would be greatly appreciated.

JJ

Also the Gemini Pair. Using 2 T5`s from Leeming.

colin

BeefyBoy: Nice pic!

I’ve been working on profile illustrations of world aerobatic teams and have profiles created for:

The Sparrows… JP1
Vipers… JP3
LintonGIN… JP4
Macaws (1968)… JP4
Macaws (1971)… JP4
Magistrates… JP4
Red Pelicans… JP4

Any additional team info/reference pics (strickly for reference – no reproduction) would be greatly appreciated.

JJ

The Cranwell Poachers

Just joined this site and found this forum from 3 years ago. I was a member of the Poachers Groundcrew 1975 – 76 and have never ‘bumped’ into anyone else from those days since leaving Cranwell in 1979. I left the RAF in 1997 after 23 years. Anybody out there that also had a link to the team? Hopefully the picture attachment will work!

George Dobie

I remeber the Poachers, The Blades, Macaws and of course the Red Pelicans. With the exception of the Red Pelicans, they all had 70’s Training livery with team badging on nose or tail. I think the Poachers had light blue pinstripes , but not sure, If I find any old magazine shots I’ll get back to you..

Jet Provost teams

Sure I remember the Blades, but somehow missed taking any photos of them!

Thanks again Steve, just what I was looking for, and more 🙂

Still have one JP-team related query outstanding, help very much appreciated!
Does anyone remember the 1FTS’ “Blades” JP team?
They were active in the early 1970s for a two or three seasons.

M

I remember one called the “Poachers” displaying at Leuchars in the 80’s. Four JP Mk. 3’s I think. Red with blue trim.

Thanks Steve – I have PMed you my e-mail address.

Mark

Jet Provost aerobatic teams

I can help out with most of them, but it will take a while to scan them first. Please also let me have an address to send them to.