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Black Arrows - the RAF display team

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About the Black Arrows

One of the display teams that preceeded the Red Arrows, the Black Arrows flew black Hawker Hunters. Specialising in close formation flying, they were the display team for 111 Squadron. They set a record for number of aircraft in close formation that has never been broken.

Lens image: www.Copyright-free-photos.org.uk

Contents

Black Arrows Hawker Hunter Hat hat
Black Arrows Hawker Hunter Hat by aerobatic
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  1. About the Black Arrows
  2. A tribute to the Black Arrows
  3. The twenty two aircraft barrel-roll
  4. The autobiography of the leader of the Black Arrows
  5. Images of the Black Arrows
  6. More about the Hawker Hunter
  7. The Red Arrows - their successors
  8. About British Aviation
  9. Like this lens?
  10. Leave a comment
  11. About the lensmaster
  12. Tirial's Bio and Featured Lenses

About the Black Arrows

111 Squadron's display team - the best in the RAF


Black Arrows, The -The Black Arrows [DVD]

The Black Arrows were the face of aviation for many people in the post war period. In distinctive black Hawker Hunters, they performed aerobatics that had never been seen before and introduced many to a love of flying. They performed between 1955 to 1961, when 111 squadron switched to Lightnings instead of Hunters, and a new display team the "Blue Diamonds" was formed.

The problem with the Black Arrows is that due to their short lifespan and the period when they existed, although many people remember them there are few resources which detail their performance. I have included a few below.

A tribute to the Black Arrows

A video of their displays

The Black Arrows specialised in close formation flying, particularly manouevring entire formations in unusual ways. Look out in the video below for the moment when every aircraft in a formation, flying wingtip to wingtip, simultaneously does an aileron roll (rotates on its axis).
Uploaded by Youtube user funtimesteve3
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The twenty two aircraft barrel-roll

The Black Arrows' finest moment

The Black Arrows set a record for close formation flying when they barrel-rolled and turned twenty-two aircraft in close formation.

The video below shows some of their more unique performances. It also covers the use of the famous English Electric Lightning for display - sadly curtailed because of the fuel cost.
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The autobiography of the leader of the Black Arrows

Brian Mercer's autobiography

Brian Mercer led the Black Arrows, and then moved on to form the Blue Diamond display team for the RAF. Rather than be promoted further, to a desk job, he left the RAF and moved into civillian aviation. This is the story of someone who spent time on not one but two of the RAF's great display teams in the heyday of post-war aviation.
BLACK ARROW BLUE DIAMONDS: Leading the Legendary RAF Flying Display Teams

BLACK ARROW BLUE DIAMONDS: Leading the Legendary RAF Flying Display Teams

by: Brian Mercer

Amazon Price: $21.59 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now
Used Price: $7.49

Images of the Black Arrows

Black Arrows and Hawker Hunter Memorabilia

Rainbow Hunter mousepad
Rainbow Hunter
by Skyraider3D
Make personalized mouse pads on zazzle

Unfortunately there isn't much in the way of Black Arrows Memorabilia available. Zazzle has a poster of the Hawker Hunter "Miss Demeanor" available - a privately-owned Hunter which still displays.

Media Storehouse has several images available of the Black Arrows performing. These can only be viewed on their site, but are linked to below:

Hawker Hunter Formation 111 squadron RAF SBAC 1957
9 Hunters in Formation from Flightglobal
Hawker Hunter Formation 111 squadron RAF SBAC 1958
5 Hunters in tight formation from Flightglobal
Hawker Hunter Formation 111 squadron RAF SBAC 1959
Hawker Hunters in Formation
Hawker Hunter Formation 111 squadron RAF SBAC 1960
Hawker Hunters in Formation

More about the Hawker Hunter

The aircraft of the Black Arrows

Hawker Hunter T.7 Poster print
Hawker Hunter T.7 Poster
by KitteasGallery
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The Hawker Hunter was an extremely popular aircraft. Almost two thousand were produced and it was exported worldwide. Although a combat aircraft and an interceptor, it's high manoverability made it useful in a range of roles and on the display circuit. Early versions had problems with range and limited fuel but once these were resolved, in the F6, it became an excellent front-line aircraft.

It appears the Hawker Hunter is still performing combat service with several airforces around the world - in one case being chosen and restored to service over newer aircraft.
BEST OF THE HUNTER BREED: An Operational History of the Hawker Hunter FR10

BEST OF THE HUNTER BREED: An Operational History of the Hawker Hunter FR10

by: Nigel Walpole

Amazon Price: $17.00 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now
Used Price: $7.03

The Red Arrows - their successors

The new RAF display team

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About British Aviation

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A range of World War Two and later aircraft created during the boom years of the British Aviation Industry
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Have your say

Were you one of the lucky ones who get to see them in person, or have a story about the display team. Please share it here.

  • Pamela Browne Oct 15, 2010 @ 12:03 pm | delete
    A friend of ours locally used to fly with the Black Arrows, my father has read somewhere that there is to be a reunion, but cannot remember where he read it (he is also ex RAF and 95). If you are able to help please contact me. Many thanks
  • tirial Oct 15, 2010 @ 12:23 pm | delete
    You haven't left contact details, but the people to ask would be 111 squadron association (www.111sqn.com/association.html) who hold an annual event. This year it's at Leuchars (15th-17th October) Hope this helps.
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About the lensmaster

Tirial&Error lensography

As with all my aviation lenses, earnings go into the charity pot for a local aviation charity.
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Tirial's Bio and Featured Lenses

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Aviation, IT, History, Gaming, I'm interested in just about anything! I made the Squidoo Top 100 Club in June 2009. My first novel, "Fire Season", is now out, and I have a new title, "The Docks", out in Nov 2011.

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BLACK ARROW BLUE DIAMONDS: Leading the Legendary RAF Flying Display Teams

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