The Red Arrows are one of the world’s most famous, most recognisable and most skillful aerobatic display teams. As they are based at RAF Scampton, just five miles from Lincoln, they are frequently visible practising their formation and display routines, leaving characteristic vapour trails in the sky.

Formed in 1964, they flew their first display on 6 May 1965 and have now made over 4000 appearances in 52 countries in every corner of the globe. Pilots are all volunteers from within the RAF, chosen for their high qualifications and experience. All must have completed at least one operational tour within the RAF in a fast jet to even be considered, and even then only the very best are accepted.

Displays consist of 9 planes, one of which belongs to the team leader, without whom the Red Arrows cannot fly. The pilots are allowed to fly down to heights of 100 feet from the ground for special manouvres, though are usually limited to 300 feet. The planes used have traditionally been whichever the RAF are currently using as their fast jet training aircraft, currently the Hawk T. Mk.1.

The famous vapour trails created during the Red Arrows formation exercises are traditionally white, created by a high pressure jet of diesel released from the rear of the aircraft. When heated by the high engine temperatures this creates a bright white vapour which, upon addition of a little coloured dye, can be made other colours spectacular effect, usually red and blue. On many clear summer days, looking to the North-West of Lincoln will often reveal some remnant of a Red Arrows manouvre, usually a white lopp-the-loop trail or a huge heart shape.

For more information on the Red Arrows and to view a list of their appearances for 2007, visit their website at www.raf.mod.uk/reds