News story

Red Arrows fly the flag with new tailfin

A new tailfin design has been unveiled on jets of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, to celebrate its 50th display season.

• From: Ministry of Defence
• Published: 18 February 2014

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Red Arrows' 50th display season tail design and logo

In the shape of a Union flag, the striking new design reflects the best of British and emphasises the Red Arrows’ role as ambassadors for the United Kingdom and as the public face of the RAF.

The makeover, the most significant change to the look of the famous aircraft in their history, was unveiled at the team’s home of RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

All of the team’s jets are receiving the fresh look, although their iconic red and white fuselage remains unchanged.

Squadron Leader Jim Turner [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Craig Marshall, Crown copyright]

Squadron Leader Jim Turner, team leader and ‘Red 1’, who revealed the tailfin at a ceremony this morning, had input into the design. He said:

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, are extremely proud of our heritage and we hope this tailfin design brings with it a sense of pride for both past members of the team and for members of the public to share in.

I wanted a design created that reflected the very British soul of the Red Arrows while keeping it simple and achievable in terms of both time and cost.

Since that first performance in May 1965, millions of people all around the world have been thrilled by the Red Arrows’ trademark precision flying, impressive formations, close-passes and dynamic loops and rolls.

A Red Arrows Hawk jet bearing the team's 50th display season tail design and logo [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Craig Marshall, Crown copyright]

The new scheme will be flown throughout the team’s 2014 display season, which begins at the end of May and runs until September.

For more information visit the Red Arrows website or follow @rafredarrows on Twitter or RAF Red Arrows on Facebook.

Published 18 February 2014