Keep The Snowbirds Flying Part III
By Richard Dowson
Other Air Demonstration Teams
The RAAF Roulettes
The Royal Australian Air Force Air Demonstration Team, the Roulettes, flies the CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC-21).
The RAAF Acrobatic Team flies six main aircraft in its Shows. One extra is flown to Shows by the co-ordinator
Source: RAAF
Trivia There is a peculiar connection between the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
When the RCAF was first formed, it was called the Canadian Air Force. The Australians were the Australian Air Force. However, the Aussies decided to add ‘Royal’ to their name and became to Royal Australian Air Force.
Canada thought ‘Royal’ was a good idea and added ‘Royal’ to their name becoming the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Trivia
The Royal Air Force Red Arrows
The Royal Air Force aerobatic team is called the Red Arrows.
They fly the BAE Hawk T1 trainer that was used as a trainer at RCAF 15 Wing Moose Jaw for many years.
The RCAF Hawk version, was known as the the CT-155 Hawk in Canada.
Seventeen were acquired in 2015 and all were ‘retired’ in 2024. It is being replaced by the CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC-21) as part of a new Pilot Training Program.
Two British built Canadian CT-155 Hawk Training Aircraft flying south of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Source: Janes
Red Arrows – continued
The Red Arrows were flying nine Hawks but reduced that number to seven (I assume 6 show teams and one support aircraft) because of the shortage of maintenance parts, particularly engines.
They intend to fly the Hawk until 2030 when it will be replaced. The replacement is not yet known.
The Hawk has been in use by the RAF since 1979.
The Royal Air Force, Red Arrows Aerobatic TeamPhoto
