Red Arrows flypast at Dunsfold Park to celebrate 50 years of the Hawk.
It will be a poignant moment today when the Reds fly over Dunsfold as next Tuesday, August 20th, will see the final departure of The Rutland Group Founder and Chief Executive Jim McAllister when his funeral takes place and he is laid to rest.
The man known by many as the “Flying Scotsman” died on July 26th. He often welcomed the Reds back to their Dunsfold home for the legendary Wings & Wheels.
Dunsfold Park is delighted to confirm the RAF Red Arrows will be completing a flypast over the aerodrome at 15:10 today, Thursday, August 15th 2024, in celebration of the Hawks’ first flight from the airfield 50 years ago.
The prototype aircraft XX154 first flew on August 21st 1974, from Dunsfold, piloted by Duncan Simpson, Chief Test Pilot of HSA (Kingston), reaching 20,000 ft in a flight lasting 53 minutes.
The British designed and built BAE Systems’ Hawk, one of the world’s most successful advanced jet trainers. Originally designed by Hawker Siddeley, the Hawk entered service with the RAF in 1976 to replace the Folland Gnat T.1 and enjoyed superb export success, being procured in various guises by 19 nations.
The Red Arrows replaced the Folland Gnat with the Hawk in 1979 and are celebrating their own milestone this year with their 60th season in the famous red Hawks and as one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams.
Representing the speed, agility and precision of the Royal Air Force, the team is the public face of the service. They assist in recruiting to the Armed Forces, act as ambassadors for the United Kingdom at home and overseas, and promote the best of Britain.
Flying the distinctive Hawk fast-jets, thcomprisese up of pilots, engineers and essential support staff with frontline, operational experience. Together, they demonstrate the excellence and capabilities of the Royal Air Force and the Service’s skilled, talented people.
All Red Arrows display pilots have flown operationally in frontline aircraft, such as advanced Typhoons, and helped the Royal Air Force secure the skies every day of the year.
Based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, the Red Arrows had flown almost 5,000 displays in 57 countries by the beginning of 2024.
NB: The flypast is subject to weather and operations.
Damn & double Damn – I set my alarm for 3.05 and they flew over the house at 3pm…so all I saw was the coloured Plume!
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Jim McAllister.. I never did get to “Go for Tea ” with him. Condolences to all his family and friends
My condolences too. A great community supporter and visionary. He will be very much missed