THE Red Arrows are running out of aircraft, The Sun can reveal.
The legendary RAF team has 13 working jets and may be down to six by 2028, which would end their trademark “diamond nine” display.
Britain’s Red Arrows are running out of aircraftBav Media
Bav MediaTheir much-loved shows could end up being cancelled due to the ageing fleet[/caption]
SWNSThey may be down to just six Hawk T1s by 2028[/caption]
Their fleet of ageing jets could see their much-loved shows being cancelled, sources claimed last night.
Their creaking fleet entered service in 1974 — and the factory that made spare parts closed five years ago.
Engineers have since been forced to cannibalise old planes to keep the best ones flying.
A source told The Sun: “There are no two ways about it — the Red Arrows are running out of planes.”
The number of working aircraft has dropped from 26 in January to just 17 today.
Four are in so-called deep maintenance, so just 13 are available to fly.
The massive G-forces in Red Arrows air shows, compared to other “sedate” fly-pasts, rapidly reduces jet lifespan.
The source added: “Planes can only fly so many shows before they need new parts.
“So either they get new planes or they have to cancel shows.”
British solution
RAF chief Sir Richard Knighton has indicated he wants a replacement for the Hawk “as soon as possible”.
The Sun revealed in April that Russian jets were being considered for the Red Arrows, which have only ever flown British planes since they were formed 61 years ago.
But sources close to Defence Secretary John Healey insist he wants a British solution.
The only UK contender is a concept plane called the Aeralis Advanced Jet Trainer.
What message does it send if the RAF can’t even field nine trainer aircraft because our politicians can’t make a decision on what to buy?
RAF source
An RAF source said: “The whole point of the Red Arrows is to be RAF ambassadors and to showcase British industry.
“What message does it send if the RAF can’t even field nine trainer aircraft, or can’t perform a full season of shows because our politicians can’t make a decision on what to buy?”
RAF chief Sir Richard Knighton wants replacements ‘as soon as possible’Rex
SWNSJust 13 of the jets are currently available to fly[/caption]
SWNSThe G-force in Red Arrows’ shows reduces the jets’ lifespan[/caption]
GettyThe Red Arrows fly over The Mall during the King’s Coronation[/caption]
The Hawk T1s are due to retire in 2030 while the Hawk T2s — which train RAF pilots — will go out of service in 2040.
Ex-RAF Air Marshal Edward Stringer said pilot numbers have also been cut and warned the plane shortage is “a symptom of a much bigger problem”.
An RAF spokesperson said last night: “The Red Arrows will continue to use the Hawk to perform its much-loved displays each year.
“We continue to work closely with industry partners to ensure the fleet is maintained.”
Hawk T1s compared to the Russian jets being considered Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
