THE RED ARROWS

[davewilson]

THE RED ARROWS - SIGN-UP TO SAVE THE FAMOUS AEROBATIC DISPLAY TEAM


The Red Arrows are a traditional part of the British Grand Prix each year at Silverstone. Their stunning aerobatic display prior to the opening of the pit lane, half an hour before the start of the race, truly captures the imagination and is part of BGP folklore.

A question mark hangs over the long-term future of The Red Arrows, and a petition has been opened where individuals can register on an official 'Downing Street' site to lobby for their future funding, and survival.

If you want to save them,sign the petition at:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveTheReds/

Deadline to sign up by:24/July/2007

Signatures:43,010

Silverstone, would not be the same without them!

The Stig

[Wizzo]

Quite right too!

I've signed, Silverstone needs all the help it can get.

[davewilson]

I had an email from the Prime Minister today in response of the Red Arrows Petition.

Thank you for signing the petition on the No.10 website calling for the maintenance of the Red Arrows. It is a sign of the place they hold in the national affections that so many people have joined you in signing it - one of the highest numbers since the e-petition service began. That's why I wanted to reply personally. It's also why I am replying before the petition officially closes, in order to reassure people who are clearly concerned.

I am pleased to be able to give you good news. There are no plans to change the funding for the Red Arrows, let alone to disband them.

It is important, of course, that the MOD looks at the full range of its spending plans as part of its routine financial planning, to ensure that taxpayers' money is spent where our Armed Forces most need it. Obviously it is this review which prompted fears that the Red Arrows might be scrapped.

However, like you, the Government recognises just what an important role the Red Arrows play in our national life. As the world's premier aerobatic team, they have thrilled millions of spectators over many years. I was lucky enough to see their extraordinary skills myself only last year at the Farnborough Air Show.

More importantly, the Red Arrows have maintained public support for the Royal Air Force, encouraged recruitment, acted as ambassadors for Britain in the world and promoted British industry for many years. So I am pleased to assure you that this government fully intends to keep the Red Arrows flying.

Thank you for signing this petition, and I hope you get a chance to see the Red Arrows yourself soon.

Yours sincerely,
Tony Blair

[Ian]

Just signed too, funnily enough I got same thank you from our Tony 

[davewilson]

Cant see what has made you so sick.I have only reported the email sent to me today on the subject,and passed it on

[Ian]

Only Mr Blair's sincere - insincerity Stig, totally agree with keeping the Red Arrows flying, they are the best in the world, bar none ! 

[cosworth151]

I'm glad to hear that the Red Arrows are safe. I've only seen them on TV, but they put on a great show.

I've mentioned before that I'm a member of a group that restores old warbirds, The Historic Aircraft Squadron. This is one of ours that might look familiar to you guys.

Cosworth

[Ian]

Cos, I work very near Biggin Hill and when the airshow is on the planes all fly over our depot, we've all sat out in the yard and watched them, it's deafening but brilliant 'cos their pretty low, sometimes you just hear the scream of jet engines but they've already disappeared, 4 minute warning, don't make me laugh

[Dare]

[Ian]

Brilliant Dare, too late tonite but I've got to watch every one of them, prefer to hear the jets rather than music but hey, you can't have everything can you. Cheers. 

[cosworth151]

Great vid, dare. That's what I call flying!

Know what you mean about the sound, Ian. At our Wings of Victory Airshow last year, we had a three-pass flyover by a B-1b. On the third pass, he came over slow with the wings extended. As he came over the field, he folded he wings, pointed the the nose up and hit the afterburners. All four pipes lit up bright orange and he viberated the ground so hard you could feel it through your shoes. He set off almost every car alarm in the parking field! It was awsome!

[Ian]

Sure is something else that noise ain't it, sort of sends your whole body into a shake

[davewilson]

Great video dare, and input from all,on this topic

[romephius]

several years ago in the Army, I was fortunate enough to be standing on a landrover when an F-111 did a tree top camera pass right over my head.........he was barely sub-sonic....he then crossed for another pass barely above the trees from a different direction........was incredible...he tilted nose up to aviod a mountain on the second pass and we felt some of the heat from the afterburners he ignited as he was passing over us.......I will never forget that.

Rom

[Ian]

Many years ago when I was in the building trade we were on the 3rd lift of the scaffolding of a house in a designated low flying area of Kent when 2 fighters screamed past on each others tails, the house we were working on was on top of a hill, the noise was unbelievable, the scaffold shook and while we were watching them practising their dogfighting one clipped the other plane and something flew off it, the other one was flying above and under the damaged plane and then he started jettisoning fuel, I have never got off a scaffold so quick in my life and into a trench. Neither of them crashed by the way.