The Legendary Red Arrows

[Malcy]

Just spotted this article in a popular news app

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/20151 ... -expensive

[Nighthawke]

It's a poor article that starts stating a figure more than doubled is a 70% increase! Typical of today's media but thanks for posting anyway.

[Thunder]

I don’t understand why the RAF T2’s are so unreliable, when the Indian’s, Saudi’s, Qatari’s and Omani’s are operating the same a/c without issues or am I missing something?

[teeonefixer]

I don’t understand why the RAF T2’s are so unreliable, when the Indian’s, Saudi’s, Qatari’s and Omani’s are operating the same a/c without issues or am I missing something?

The RAF are the second customer for the Adour Mk.951 and have the highest use engines (the SAAF don't fly too much) and due to a complicated set of circumstances (IMHO not originally buying enough engines, MoD contracts especially with Turbomeca who make the hot end etc.) so they have had a lack of powerplants to use. India, Australia, etc. fly the earlier Mk.871 which has its own issues but not to the same level.
Serviceability of the T.2 fleet has been severely affected by the engine issue but there have been other factors in the contract with Ascent who organise the flying program and also BAES/Babcocks who support the jets, with the people at the coal face doing their level best to make it work.
Again my opinion, but the RAF felt they had the T.2 forced on them by the government (especially dep PM Lord Prescott from East Hull to support Brough) when they didn't know the capabilities of the system (= "just another Hawk") and would rather have gone swanning around Italy on the program meetings.

[Thunder]

Don’t the Saudi’s use the Mk951 in their new Hawks?

[teeonefixer]

Don’t the Saudi’s use the Mk951 in their new Hawks?

They are so much younger!

[sgtangel]

This Aeralis jet that is constantly being touted as a replacement. Is that a realistic prospect? I ask because all I have seen is CGI imagery and nothing of substance. They have not received any order for the aircraft. Is one actually under construction?

[Vulcanone]

Don’t the Saudi’s use the Mk951 in their new Hawks?

They are so much younger!

Delivered Warton to KSA in kit form in around 2018/2019

[Alf]

Don’t the Saudi’s use the Mk951 in their new Hawks?

They are so much younger!

Delivered Warton to KSA in kit form in around 2018/2019

The last Saudi Hawk was delivered in February 2024, so very young aircraft.

https://www.timesaerospace.aero/news/ev ... capability

[TonyO]

This Aeralis jet that is constantly being touted as a replacement. Is that a realistic prospect? I ask because all I have seen is CGI imagery and nothing of substance. They have not received any order for the aircraft. Is one actually under construction?

To use a software analogy, its vapourware, a concept, doesn't exist beyond a Powerpoint because their idea is flawed.

[FlyingFairy]

According to an interview on BBC with the local MP, plans will be announced shortly on replacement aircraft or as he says “new planes”!

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgr2ynr7jlxo