Should The Red Arrows Be Disbanded?

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Gage, Dec 4, 2011.

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Should The Red Arrows be Disbanded?

  1. Yes

    1 vote(s)
    1.0%
  2. No

    12 vote(s)
    11.4%
  3. Not Sure

    92 vote(s)
    87.6%
  1. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    'Hundreds of people turned out for the funeral of Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Sean Cunningham at Coventry Cathedral.'
    'It followed the death in August of Flt Lt Jon Egging in a crash near Bournemouth.'

    Should the Red Arrows be disbanded after the loss of two pilots?

    Within these times of austerity should the MoD save money for other areas within the RAF or even public services?

    Does the benefit of the Red Arrows outweigh the danger to the pilots?


    Stop the Red Arrow's being Disbanded | Facebook

    Stop the Red Arrows being disbanded - e-petitions

    The Red Arrows are having a tragic year, but it would be a further tragedy to disband them – Telegraph Blogs
     
  2. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    NO BUT HELL NO!

    A bad year with two deaths, does not make a case for disbandment neither died on the display line they were on the way back to the airport and the other on their own airfield.

    The joy they bring to the public and help put the GREAT into Great Britain whilst displaying abroad should continue
     
  3. urqh

    urqh Senior Member

    Nothing to do with the loss of the two pilots. They should have been disbanded many years ago.
     
  4. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    I'm not sure whether they should be disbanded or not.
    How much a year does it cost to keep the Red Arrows and how much trade do they bring back into Britain?

    Lesley
     
  5. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    For me it's not only about how the Red Arrows are one of the biggest attractions at any airshow but how they promote the RAF, not only here in the UK but also abroad.
    I never fail to get goosebumps as those red Hawks flash by the flight line seemingly within inches of each other.
    I'm lucky enough to witness them also practice over by Scampton and not a person can fail to look up and feel enomorous pride.
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Don't they charge a fee to attend most shows/displays?
     
  7. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    My feeling is that they are an essential part of the RAF's image. Just as the Brigade of Guards' drill may no longer be strictly relevant to the modern battlefield, it says to the public both at home and abroad "Look how good we are".

    In a time of cuts and disbandments, nothing which contributes to morale should be discarded lightly.
     
  8. archivist

    archivist Well-Known Member

    Recent events in the ranks of the Red Arrows have been tragic and nobody wants to see these accidents happen. But these men are in a very dangerous occupation and they are all volunteers; the jets they fly are not toys and their performances include manoeuvres which are very far from safe. They regularly display the skills and courage that are so desparately needed in times of war - skills that have to be honed and passed on in peace time so that they will be available when needed.

    Unfortunately, that is a fact of military life - we don't issue soldiers pop-guns or water pistols in case someone gets hurt. We have to treat the Air Force in the same way.

    These are men who are, and should be, treated as men. They deserve the utmost respect for what they do. They are the best in the world and that reflects on all our armed forces which, in itself, tells the world that we have the men for the job whenever they are needed.

    Poll the personnel of the Red Arrows on this subject. I'll bet you won't get any negative responses.
     
  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Shiny 9th likes this.
  10. archivist

    archivist Well-Known Member

    Owen

    Yes - including that one! My apologies, I did not know there were women in the Red Arrows. However, my point was not intended to be sexist or chauvinist. Delete "men" and replace it with "personnel".
     
  11. wowtank

    wowtank Very Senior Member

    I have not herd anybody calling for them to go. Sounds like a big interweb wined up to me. If so they will troll a lot of people.
     
  12. urqh

    urqh Senior Member

    Wowtank. You live a sheltered life. The calls for the disbandement of the Arrows has been ongoing since my first day in RAF in 1976. There are many reasons the powers that be even in the RAF have called for their disbandment over the years. None of them have to do with the deaths of pilots or at least no professional calls with that reason.

    I know times change. but I'd not just trawl a vote from the Arrows team that a bit biased...Go for the RAF as a whole and the outcome may surprise. It probable has changed over the years and may today be in favour of keeping them, but the RAF News had published in past the feelings of RAF members themselves throughout the years. The moriturim on spending in late 70's produced just such an outcome.
     
  13. wowtank

    wowtank Very Senior Member

    Urgh, I meant like a recent daily Mail doom and gloom article. The article in a telegraph reads as a non story to me.
     
  14. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Urgh, I meant like a recent daily Mail doom and gloom article. The article in a telegraph reads as a non story to me.

    There was a previous e-petition a few years ago, this is not the first. The official response was there was no intention to disband. Some of these petitions are a waste of time, badly researched.
     
  15. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    I voted no, but I feel quite strongly that they contribute little to the defence of this country and cost so much to maintain when an aircraft such as the Nimrod, along with its Squadrons have been disbanded to save money. Basically, the Nimrod was there to save lives, be it on land or at sea.

    "Nimrod MRA4 roles would have included anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface unit warfare, and search and rescue missions."
     
  16. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    I certainly would not like to see the disbandment of the RAF Red Arrows, or any other of the three services Morale boosting units.

    I realize that some people will take a completely different view to my thoughts and that is life.

    However, in these very tight fiscal times, I do wonder why a country such as the UK, continues to have a nuclear deterrent, with nuclear submarines.

    Perhaps having a strong conventional Navy, Army and Airforce is the correct path to take.
    This way we could afford our aircraft carriers and Harrier Jump Jets, with better equipment for our Army and Airforce.

    Everyone knows what happens when Nuclear bombs are let loose and what happens when nuclear reactors melt down.

    If anyone is stupid enough to let loose an Atomic weapon, then where would the world be.

    Sorry to rabbit on, but I prefer a Conventional and well equipped Armed forces, which would enable the services to maintain the Red Arrows and the likes.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  17. Oggie2620

    Oggie2620 Senior Member

    I am with you Tom!
     
  18. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    I have not herd anybody calling for them to go. Sounds like a big interweb wined up to me. If so they will troll a lot of people.

    Just to say this poll wasn't because of any reason outside of this forum.
    It was because I was curious to see what the members here thought.
     
  19. Hebridean Chindit

    Hebridean Chindit Lost in review... Patron

    RIAT 2007...

    I watched a group of American pilots, including some of the Thunderbirds team standing in awe, watching what they considered to be the finest display team in the world...

    QED...
     
  20. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Hot air manufacturer

    Disband the Red Arrows? Hell, no!
     

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