Red Arrows: The Elite RAF Aerobatic Team in 22 Outstanding Images

Officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, excellence soars as exceptional standard from the Red Arrows’ Lincolnshire base. With more than 4,800 displays to their name, the trademark precision, speed and dynamic finesse of the iconic fast jet fleet regularly wows millions with manoeuvres around the world. Make that 57 countries and counting, in fact. As ambassadors for the United Kingdom and Royal Air Force, the unit represents the absolute height of professional military standard; from pilot to engineer and ground support staff, the elite team are among the most highly-qualified in the field. As one of the world’s most revered aerobatic display teams, they’re a phenomenal aerial force to be seen. Few images are more iconic – and instantly recognisable - than the red, white and blue trail of a soaring Red Arrows’ flypast, after all. Nine display pilots, gleaming Hawk jets, and a top speed a little over 600mph regularly thrill onlookers the length and breadth of Britain as Red 1 leads his team through mind-blowing rolling, flat or full synchronised display. With the team’s 53rd display season now behind us, we take a look at a selection of images of the squadron at its glorious best.