One should not assume, that because people are indifferent to the spectacle
of the Red Arrows flying display, they are indifferent to the loss of one of their
pilots.
Very nicely and swiftly put, great to see that some people understand the basic question here amongst the hysterics.
For the O.P to post what he did, is the most insensitive thing I have ever read on Key, so soon after this tragic event happened.
Jim, it would have been best to have left the lynch mob attitude behind, interesting that this thread has descended to ‘General Discussion’ levels, with the same usual participants.
I would agree that the timing was slightly misguided, but the basic topic of the Reds long term survival is a valid one for debate in Modern Military, and indeed has been discussed before (as linked by Fedaykin).
Working quite closely with Hawks, the question over the Hawk T.1 has been around for a while aswel. There have been concerns that the type is slowly being withdrawn from the training units (as they get the new T.2s) with the Red Arrows ending up as the sole user of the old and tired type.
My understanding is that current policy is not to replace the T.1 with the new T.2 (not enough of them ordered) in the Reds, and that when it goes they would have to think about their survival either with another type or worse.
This could be wrong though and maybe someone can clarify?
Most of the type have had major work done to them, mainly in strengthening/replacing the rear fuselages and unfortunately it is highly susceptible to bird strike.
This is mainly down to its operating arena, both with the Reds and training sqns, ie a lot of low-level and over the sea work. However its single engine has marginal performance when things go wrong and a strike occurs.
The basic point I was addressing earlier was to Nashios’ general assertion that we are all Red Arrows supporters, well I’m afraid we aren’t all supporters, and to say that I am would be a lie. All this ‘posters are ‘creepy’ or ‘unpatriotic’ rubbish is absurd and insulting. I’m as patriotic as most, I just don’t get service aero/formation teams and never have I’m afraid. That is in no way not to say that the majority of the public do enjoy them and that they have their place in aviation.
As someone who works on an MoD airfield/tower and meets these wonderful people on a daily basis, I want to reiterate what I said in post #3. My thoughts are with the family of a brave airman that gave his all and proudly served his county in war and served the airforce to the public arena, aswel as it appears staying with the jet to avoid any loss of life on the ground.
A very sad day.
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