List of air display teams

Last updated

The Patrouille de France trailing coloured smoke. PatrouilleDeFrance02.jpg
The Patrouille de France trailing coloured smoke.

Many air forces from around the world, along with some navy and army aviators, and even a few private organisations, have established air display teams to perform at domestic and international air shows, major sporting occasions, and even corporate events. Some display teams perform aerobatics, while others give displays of formation flying or their professional operations such as air-sea rescue.

Contents

Air display teams

Active

Active air display teams, military and civilian
Display teamCountryOperatorCurrent aircraftWhen
formed		Notes, references
AeroSuperBatics United Kingdom civilian Boeing–Stearman Model 75 1982The world's only formation wingwalking team [1]
Al Fursan United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Air Force Aermacchi MB-339NAT2010
Alap-Alap Formation Brunei Darussalam Royal Brunei Air Force Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II 2011 [2]
August 1st China People's Liberation Army Air Force Chengdu J-10 1962
Baltic Bees Latvia civilian Aero L-39 Albatros 2008
Belaya Rus Belarus Belarusian Air Force Aero L-39 Albatros 2006
Black Eagles South Korea Republic of Korea Air Force KAI T-50B Golden Eagle 1953
Black Falcons New Zealand Royal New Zealand Air Force Beechcraft T-6 Texan II 2000
Black Knights Singapore Republic of Singapore Air Force General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon 1973
Blue Angels United States United States Navy Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet 1946 [3]
Blue Impulse Japan Japan Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki T-4 1960
Blue Phoenix Thailand Royal Thai Air Force Pilatus PC-9 2012
Blue Voltige Italy civilian Fournier RF 5 2000
Breitling Jet Team France Breitling, private Aero L-39 Albatros 2003
CF-18 Demonstration Team Canada Royal Canadian Air Force McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet [4]
Chinook Display Team United Kingdom Royal Air Force Boeing Chinook 2004 [5]
Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team Czech Republic civilian XtremeAir Sbach 342 1999
Flying dragons team Poland civilianDudek Snake 1.22014
Frecce Tricolori Italy Italian Air Force Alenia Aermacchi M-346 1961 [6]
F-16 Viper Demo United States of America United States Air Force General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon 2018 [6]
Halcones Chile Chilean Air Force Game Composites GB1 GameBird 1981
IAF Aerobatic Team Israel Israeli Air Force Beechcraft T-6 Texan II 1973
Iron Wolf Aerobatics Lithuania civilian Sbach Xtremeair XA42 and Sukhoi SU26M 2022 [7]
Jupiter Aerobatic Team Indonesia Indonesian Air Force KAI KT-1B2008
Wings of Storm Croatia Croatian Air Force Pilatus PC-9M2005
Kris Sakti Malaysia Royal Malaysian Air Force Extra EA-300L2011
Marche Verte Morocco Royal Moroccan Air Force Mudry CAP-232 1988
Midnight Hawks Finland Finnish Air Force BAE Hawk Mk.51 1997
Orlik Aerobatic Team Poland Polish Air Force PZL-130 Orlik 1998
P3 Flyers Switzerland civilian Pilatus PC-3 1996
Patriots Jet Team United States civilian Aero L-39 Albatros 2003
Patrouille de France France French Air Force Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet 1931
Patrouille Suisse Switzerland Swiss Air Force Northrop F-5E Tiger II 1964 [8]
Patrulla Águila Spain Spanish Air and Space Force CASA C-101 Aviojet 1985
Patrulla Aspa Spain Spanish Air and Space Force Eurocopter EC120B Colibri 2003 [9]
PC-7 Team Switzerland Swiss Air Force Pilatus PC-7 1987
Red Arrows United Kingdom Royal Air Force BAE Hawk T1A 1965Used the Folland Gnat until 1980 [10] [11]
Red Falcon China PLA Air Force Aviation University Hongdu JL-8 2011 [12]
Rotores de Portugal Portugal Portuguese Air Force AgustaWestland AW119 Koala 1976
Roulettes Australia Royal Australian Air Force Pilatus PC-21 1970
Royal Jordanian Falcons Jordan Royal Jordanian Air Force Extra EA-330LX 1976
Russian Falcons Russia Russian Air Force MIG-29 2006 [13] [14]
Russian Knights Russia Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30SM 1991
Sarang India Indian Air Force HAL Dhruv 2003
Saudi Falcons Saudi Arabia Royal Saudi Air Force BAE Hawk T1A 1998Will use Hawk T2s from 2026
Sherdils Pakistan Pakistan Air Force Karakorum K-8P 1972
Silver Falcons South Africa South African Air Force Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II 1946
Silver Stars Egypt Egyptian Air Force Karakorum K-8E 1974[ citation needed ]
Silver Swallows Republic of Ireland Irish Air Corps Pilatus PC-9 1986
2022
Sky Wing China PLA Air Force Aviation University Nanchang CJ-6 2011 [15]
SkyAces Australia civilianWolf Pitts Pro [16]
Smoke Squadron Brazil Brazilian Air Force Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano 1952 [17]
Snowbirds Canada Royal Canadian Air Force Canadair CT-114 Tutor 1971
SoloTürk Turkey Turkish Air Force General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon 2011Solo team [18]
Southern Cross Aerobatic Squadron Argentina Argentine Air Force FMA IA-63 Pampa 1962
Surya Kiran India Indian Air Force BAE Hawk Mk.132 1996
Swifts Russia Russian Air Force Mikoyan MiG-29UB1991
Team Raven United Kingdom civilian Van's Aircraft RV-8 2010 [19]
The Hawks of RomaniaRomaniaAeroclubul RomanieiExtra 330SC

Extra 300L

2007One of the largest Extra 300/330 formations in the world.
The Horsemen Aerobatic Team United States civilianvarious1994
Thunder aerobatics team China People's Liberation Army Ground Force CAIC Z-10 2013 [20]
Thunder Tigers Squadron Taiwan Republic of China Air Force AIDC AT-3B1953
Thunderbirds United States United States Air Force General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon 1953
Turkish Stars Turkey Turkish Air Force Canadair NF-5A/B Freedom Fighter 1992
WeFly! Team Italy civilian Fly Synthesis Texan 2007Pilots with physical disabilities
White Arrows (JMSDF)  [ ja ] Japan Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fuji T-5 1998Former Blanc Aile[ dubious – discuss ] [21]
Wildcat Demo Team United Kingdom Royal Navy - Fleet Air Arm Agusta Westland Wildcat HMA.2 2001Previously the Black Cats
Zeus Greece Hellenic Air Force General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon 2010Solo team [22]
Display teamCountryOperatorCurrent aircraftWhen
formed		Notes, references

Formation flying

TeamCountryOperatorCurrent aircraftWhen formedNotes
The Victors Belgium civilian Piper PA-28 Cherokee series2004 [23]

Defunct

Aerobatics

Defunct former air display teams, military and civilian
Display teamCountryOperatorFinal aircraftWhen
formed		DisbandedNotes, references
Acro Deltas Sweden Swedish Air Force Saab Draken 19631966 [24]
Alpi Eagles Italy civilian SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 19811990 [25]
Asas de Portugal Portugal Portuguese Air Force Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet 19772010
Black Arrows United Kingdom Royal Air Force - 111 Squadron [26] Hawker Hunter F.4 & F.6 19561960 [27]
Blades United Kingdom Royal Air Force BAC Jet Provost T.519701972Successor to The Gins [24] [28]
Blue Chips United Kingdom Royal Air Force DHC Chipmunk T.10 1960s1974 [24]
Blue Devils Canada Royal Canadian Air Force De Havilland Vampire 19491951
Blue Diamonds United Kingdom Royal Air Force - 92 Squadron [26] Hawker Hunter 19601962 [24]
Blue Diamonds Philippines Philippine Air Force Northrop F-5 19522005
Bulldogs United Kingdom Royal Air Force Bulldog T.1 [27]
Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team Canada civilian North American Harvard 19992021 [29] [30]
Cavallino Rampante (Prancing Horses) Italy Italian Air Force - 4th Wing North American F-86 Sabre 19501961Served three tours as the national air display team (1950-52, 1956-57 and 1960-61)
Coors Light Silver Bullet - Airshow Team United States Civilian BD-5J 19831991
Diavoli Rossi (Red Devils) Italy Italian Air Force - 6th Wing Republic F-84F Thunderstreak 19581959Served one tour as the national air display team (1958-59)
Dragões Portugal Portuguese Air Force F-84 Thunderjet 1950s1958
Elang Biru (Blue Falcon) Indonesia Indonesian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon 19952000 [31]
Fighting Cocks United Kingdom Royal Air Force Hawker Hunter F.41950s1950s [27]
Firebirds United Kingdom Royal Air Force - 56 Squadron [26] Lightning F.1 19631965 [27]
Falcons Pakistan Pakistan Air Force North American F-86 Sabre 1958 [32] [33]
Gazelles United Kingdom Royal Air Force Gazelle HT.3 1970s1970s [27]
Gemini Pair United Kingdom Royal Air Force Jet Provost T.4 & T.5 19701973 [27]
Getti Tonanti (Thunderjets) Italy Italian Air Force - 5th Wing Republic F-84 Thunderjet 19531960Served two tours as the national air display team (1953-55 and 1959-60)
The Gins United Kingdom Royal Air Force Jet Provost T.4 19681970 [27]
The Blades United Kingdom 2Excel Aviation (civilian) Extra EA-300 20052023
Golden Centennaires Canada Royal Canadian Air Force Canadair CT-114 Tutor 19671967
Golden Crown Iran Imperial Iranian Air Force F-5E Tiger II 19551979
Golden Hawks Canada Royal Canadian Air Force Canadair F-86 Sabre 19591964
Golden Sabres Philippines Philippine Air Force F-86F Sabre 19721974
Green Marrows United Kingdom Royal Air Force Canberra B.2 & T.4 19891989 [27]
Kiwi Red New Zealand Royal New Zealand Air Force A-4K Skyhawk 19861989 [34]
LancieriNeri (Black Lancers) Italy Italian Air Force - 2nd Wing Canadair Sabre 19571959Served one tour as the national air display team (1957-59)
Leteće zvezde Yugoslavia Yugoslav Air Force Soko G-4 Super Galeb 19852000
Lincolnshire Poachers United Kingdom Royal Air Force Jet Provost 19691969 [35]
Linton Blacks United Kingdom Royal Air Force Vampire T.1 19601960 [27]
Macaws United Kingdom Royal Air Force Jet Provost T.4 19681972 [27]
Meteorites United Kingdom Royal Air Force Meteor T.7 19521952 [27]
Paybills Pakistan Pakistan Air Force Supermarine Attacker 1952 [32] [36]
Poachers United Kingdom Royal Air Force Jet Provost T.4 & T.5 19631976 [27]
Rattlers Pakistan Pakistan Air Force Shenyang F-6 196914 March 1969 [32] [37]
Red Aces Philippines Philippine Air Force 19711974
Red Checkers New Zealand Royal New Zealand Air Force CT-4 Airtrainer 1967
1980		1973
2015		 [38]
Red Dragons Pakistan Pakistan Air Force Hawker Sea Fury 1951 [32] [39]
Red Pelicans United Kingdom Royal Air Force - Central Flying School [26] Jet Provost T.4 & T.5 19621973 [27]
Redskins United Kingdom Royal Air Force Jet Provost 19591959 [27]
Sabres Nine Pakistan Pakistan Air Force North American F-86 Sabre 1964 [32]
Sharks United Kingdom Royal Navy - Fleet Air Arm Gazelle 19751992
Sagar Pawan India Indian Navy HAL Kiran 220032010
Skylarks United Kingdom Royal Air Force Chipmunk T.10 19681970 [27]
Swallows Belgium Belgian Air Force SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 19731997 [24]
Swords United Kingdom Royal Air Force Jet Provost T.5 19741974 [28]
Silver Swallows Republic of Ireland Irish Air Corps CM.170 Magister 19861998
Solo Display Team Netherlands Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon &
AH-64 Apache 		19792019solo team of each aircraft
Team Iskry Poland Polish Air Force PZL TS-11 Iskra 19692021
Team 60 Sweden Swedish Air Force Saab 105 (SK 60)19742024Retirement of SK60
Tigers Pakistan Pakistan Air Force Shenyang F-6 1980 [32] [37]
Tigers United Kingdom Royal Air Force - 74 Squadron [26] Lightning F.1
Phantom F-4J 		19611992 [27]
Tigri Bianche (White Tigers) Italy Italian Air Force - 51st Wing Republic F-84 Thunderjet 19531956Served one tours as the national air display team (1955-56)
Tomahawks United Kingdom Royal Air Force Sioux HT.3 19671969 [27]
Ukrainian Falcons Ukraine Ukrainian Air Force Mikoyan MiG-29 19952002
Vipers United Kingdom Royal Air Force Jet Provost T.4 19681969 [27]
Yellowjacks United Kingdom Royal Air Force - 4 Flying Training School [26] Folland Gnat T.1 19641964became the Red Arrows
Display teamCountryOperatorFinal aircraftWhen
formed		DisbandedNotes, references

Formation flying

TeamCountryOperatorFinal aircraftWhen
formed		DisbandedNotes
Four Horsemen United States 774th Troop Carrier Squadron Lockheed C-130A Hercules 19571960 [40]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Shaitly, Shahesta (23 May 2010). "The art of aerobatic wing walking" . TheGuardian.com. The Guardian, Guardian News & Media Limited. Retrieved 4 August 2023. They are the world's only formation aerobatic team. They perform death-defying stunts to 6 million spectators every year. They are all women… and they are looking for a new recruit. Have you got what it takes?
  2. ↑ "Alap-Alap Formation". AerobaticTeams.net. Aerobatic Display Teams. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Yenne 1991, p. 17.
  4. ↑ "CF-18 air demonstration – Royal Canadian Air Force". Canada.ca. Royal Canadian Air Force. 10 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Chinook Display team". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. n.d.
  6. 1 2 Yenne 1991, p. 20.
  7. ↑ "Iron Wolf Aerobatics". IronWolfTeam.com.
  8. ↑ Yenne 1991, p. 34.
  9. ↑ "Patrulla Aspa – Ejército del Aire". PatrullaAspa.Defensa.gob.es. Spanish Air Force . Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  10. ↑ Yenne 1991, p. 38.
  11. ↑ March 1989, p. 53.
  12. ↑ "Red Falcon Air Demonstration Team". AerobaticTeams.net. Aerobatic Display Teams.
  13. ↑ "Авиационная группа высшего пилотажа 'Соколы России'". structure.mil.ru. Министерство обороны Российской Федерации (Минобороны России), Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.
  14. ↑ "Russian Falcons". AerobaticTeams.net. Aerobatic Display Teams.
  15. ↑ "Sky Wing Air Demonstration Team". AerobaticTeams.net. Aerobatic Display Teams.
  16. ↑ "SkyAces Formation Aerobatic Team". PaulBennetAirshows.com.au. Paul Bennet Airshows. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  17. ↑ Yenne 1991, p. 18.
  18. ↑ "Solo Turk". SoloTurk.tsk.tr. Solo Turk.
  19. ↑ "Team Raven – Formation Aerobatic Display Team". TeamRaven.co.uk.
  20. ↑ Ma, Xiaochun (2015). "PLA 'Thunder' aerobatics team to perform stunts in Tianjin". en.people.cn. ChinaNews.com.
  21. ↑ "White Arrows について". MoD.go.jp. JMSDF Air Training Group Ozuki.
  22. ↑ "Hellenic Air Force F-16 Demo Team 'Zeus'". HAF.gr. Hellenic Air Force . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  23. ↑ "The Victors". TheVictors.be.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 Robertson 1982, pp. 96–99
  25. ↑ https://storiadellefreccetricolori.it/le-alpi-eagles-la-prima-pattuglia-acrobatica-civile-italiana/
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 March 1989, p. 51.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Delve 1994, p. 271.
  28. 1 2 Thetford 1995, p. 61.
  29. ↑ Muhtar, Andrew. "Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team". Harvards.com. Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association.
  30. ↑ "Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team officially disbands as of 2021". CAHS.com. Canadian Aviation Historical Society. 2021. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  31. ↑ "Elang Biru". AerobaticTeams.net. Aerobatic Display Teams.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hussaini, S.M.A. (2002). PAF Over the Years. PAF Book Club.
  33. ↑ "Falcons Pakistan Air Force aerobatic team". AerobaticTeams.net. Aerobatic Display Teams.
  34. ↑ Yenne 1991, p. 28.
  35. ↑ Thetford 1995, p. 60.
  36. ↑ "Paybills aerobatics team". AerobaticTeams.net. Aerobatic Display Teams.
  37. 1 2 "Rattlers and Tigers aerobatics team". AerobaticTeams.net. Aerobatic Display Teams.
  38. ↑ Yenne 1991, p. 46.
  39. ↑ "Red Dragons". AerobaticTeams.net. Aerobatic Display Teams.
  40. ↑ "'The Four Horsemen' demonstrated the power of the C-130 Hercules". HistoryNet.com. 12 June 2006. Retrieved 25 July 2019.

Bibliography

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