History Of Raf Aerobatic Teams From 1920, The: Smoke On . . . Go!
by David Watkins /
2011 / English / PDF
139.7 MB Download
The Royal Air Force has long recognized the value of display flying
for pilot training, prestige and recruiting purposes, and the
standard of its formation aerobatic teams has always stood
favorable comparison with those of air forces of other
nations.Aerobatics have always played a prominent part in RAF
training. They are not performed merely to provide a spectacle for
the public but are an essential step in the making of a pilot,
giving him confidence in himself and his aircraft. Formation
aerobatics give him the added factor of confidence in his leader
and other members of the team.This history of RAF aerobatic teams
is the result of many years of painstaking and meticulous research
from its early beginnings with five Sop with Snipes at the Hendon
Pageant in 1920 to the present day 'Red Arrows'.The book also
contains an introduction which details the gradual development from
experimental and 'stunt' flying of the early aviators, through the
aerial artistry of using smoke to highlight maneuvers and
tied-together formation aerobatics, to the introduction of jet
teams after the war. Also included in the book is a detailed index
listing each team and its members from 1920 and it will undoubtedly
provide an essential reference work on Royal Air Force formation
aerobatic teams for aviation historians and enthusiasts.
The Royal Air Force has long recognized the value of display flying
for pilot training, prestige and recruiting purposes, and the
standard of its formation aerobatic teams has always stood
favorable comparison with those of air forces of other
nations.Aerobatics have always played a prominent part in RAF
training. They are not performed merely to provide a spectacle for
the public but are an essential step in the making of a pilot,
giving him confidence in himself and his aircraft. Formation
aerobatics give him the added factor of confidence in his leader
and other members of the team.This history of RAF aerobatic teams
is the result of many years of painstaking and meticulous research
from its early beginnings with five Sop with Snipes at the Hendon
Pageant in 1920 to the present day 'Red Arrows'.The book also
contains an introduction which details the gradual development from
experimental and 'stunt' flying of the early aviators, through the
aerial artistry of using smoke to highlight maneuvers and
tied-together formation aerobatics, to the introduction of jet
teams after the war. Also included in the book is a detailed index
listing each team and its members from 1920 and it will undoubtedly
provide an essential reference work on Royal Air Force formation
aerobatic teams for aviation historians and enthusiasts.