***EMBARGO UNTIL 25 FEB 2015***

THE Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, has revealed a new Union flag-inspired design on its world-famous jets.

Tailfins on the team’s Hawk aircraft have received the fresh look, reflecting British excellence.

The makeover will be seen by millions of people every year, when the Red Arrows display both at home and overseas.

Complete with flowing red, white and blue lines, the new design emphasises the team’s important role as a global ambassador for the United Kingdom and Royal Air Force.

The team, which comprises fast jet pilots, engineers and support staff with frontline, operational experience, is currently preparing for its display season.

Squadron Leader David Montenegro, who will lead the team as Red 1 for the first time in 2015, said: “The new tailfin perfectly illustrates the spirit of the Red Arrows – representing the UK, our engineering excellence and the capability of the Royal Air Force to protect our skies.”

Last year, the Red Arrows celebrated their 50th season, performing more than 80 displays across the UK and in nine other countries.

The milestone was marked with a special tailfin design on its aircraft, replacing the familiar three-stripe livery the team’s jets had flown since the 1960s.

Now, instead of returning to this old paint scheme following the one-off, season-long 50th pattern, the new, more up-to-date Union flag design has been adopted for the future.

All of the Red Arrows’ British-built Hawk jets will be receiving the new livery, with their distinctive fuselages retaining red and white colours.

Since the end of the 2014 season in September, the Red Arrows have been training hard at their home base of RAF Scampton, in Lincolnshire, for this year’s calendar of shows. The new display season begins in May 2015.

Of the nine 2015 display pilots, three are joining the team for the first time, having previously flown other RAF fast jets, the Tornado and Typhoon, on operations.

These include on quick reaction alert sorties, protecting the air space of the UK.

Image shows one of the Hawk T Mk1 fleet of the Red Arrows in the RAF Cranwell Paint Shop after having the new 2015 tail finished.

Photographic Section
RAFAT
RAF Scampton
Lincolnshire
LN1 2ST
Email: adam.fletcher108@mod.uk
For further information please contact the RAFAT PR Manager
Mr Andrew Morton
01522 733381