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The Red Arrows are the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. In 2026, seven Hawk T1 jets fly the aerobatic display; nine are used for selected flypasts. The show’s format depends on the cloud base, and event appearances can change, so check the RAF’s schedule before travelling.
What are the Red Arrows?
The Red Arrows are an RAF team of pilots, engineers and support staff—not simply a formation of jets. The Royal Air Force describes the team as a public face of the service: its precision displays showcase RAF people and capabilities, while members represent both the RAF and the United Kingdom at home and abroad. The RAF says all display pilots have operational experience in frontline aircraft. RAF team overview.
The team is based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. Its current display aircraft is the BAE Systems Hawk T1, powered by a Rolls-Royce engine, according to the RAF aircraft page.
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The RAF formed the team in 1964 by bringing its display teams together as one premier unit. The name drew on the Black Arrows, while the red colour scheme paid tribute to the Red Pelicans. The team’s first flying season followed in 1965, using the Folland Gnat; its first season comprised seven aircraft and 65 displays. The RAF’s official history records 1,292 displays flown by the Gnat.
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In 1968, the team adopted nine display aircraft and established the Diamond Nine formation that became its trademark. The Gnat was replaced by the Hawk for the 1980 season. A later milestone in the RAF history is the team’s 4,500th display, flown in 2013. Separately, the RAF overview says that by the beginning of 2024 the team had flown almost 5,000 displays in 57 countries; that is a dated cumulative figure, not a current total.
How many Red Arrows are there in 2026?
The answer depends on what is meant by “Red Arrows”: aircraft in the flying display, aircraft in a flypast, or the wider staffed team. For the 2026 season, the RAF lists seven aircraft in the aerobatic show and nine for selected national or state flypasts. These are season-specific flying numbers, not a permanent definition of the team’s size. RAF 2026 display information.
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In the nine-aircraft arrangement, Reds 1–5 make up the front formation, called Enid. Reds 6–9 form Hanna, with Reds 6 and 7 as the Synchro Pair. Red 10 supervises the display and provides commentary; the RAF’s 2026 description does not count Red 10 among the aircraft performing the aerobatic sequence.
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What aircraft do the Red Arrows fly?
The Red Arrows fly the BAE Systems Hawk T1, a two-seat jet trainer adapted for the team’s display role and powered by a Rolls-Royce engine. The aircraft has been part of the team since the 1980 season, when it replaced the Folland Gnat. The RAF identifies the Hawk T1 as its current display aircraft; this does not mean every Hawk T1 in service is a Red Arrows aircraft.
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What does the 2026 display look like?
The RAF says it changes the display sequence annually. Its 2026 season announcement described the return of Cascade, which Team Leader Wing Commander Jon Bond said had last been flown in 1997. He described the full-version manoeuvre as a powerful loop followed by a coordinated fan-out into a wall formation. These details describe the RAF’s announced 2026 programme, not a guarantee that every show will include the same sequence: weather determines which version can be flown. RAF 2026 season announcement, 22 May 2026.
Why does the display change with the weather?
The RAF sets out three display formats according to cloud base. They are alternate versions of the same show, not different teams. The thresholds below are the RAF’s stated criteria for its displays, rather than general aviation rules. RAF display formats.
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| Format | RAF cloud-base criterion | What the audience can expect |
|---|---|---|
| Full | Above 5,500 feet | Loops and the full range of manoeuvres, including the announced Cascade sequence when flown. |
| Rolling | Between 2,500 and 5,500 feet | Wing-overs and rolls replace loops. |
| Flat | Below 2,500 feet | Flypasts and steep turns. |
Where can you see the Red Arrows in 2026?
The RAF publishes the season’s event listings on its official display page. A listing is not a guarantee that the team will appear exactly as scheduled: the RAF warns that event participation, arrival and departure times, and transit details may change.
That qualification matters for travel plans. In an update dated 8 August 2026, the RAF said prolonged poor weather in northeastern Canada had delayed the team’s return to the UK and prevented appearances at several scheduled events. Check the official schedule close to the event and again before setting out; an airshow’s own programme may also need to be checked for site access and ticket information.
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