Andy Dighton's post war RAF display teams.

[Andy Dighton]

Airfix 1/72 Fouga CM.170 Magister A03050
The FFS 'A' Acro-Team.

At the end of the Second World War the Luftwaffe were disbanded. In 1958 the first of 100 RAF officers were sent to train German pilots for the new West German air force. In 1960 four RAF officers were allowed to form a display team. At the time the German pilots had little or no experience in aerobatics. The FFS 'A' Acro-Team flew four Fouga Magister aircraft. Number four spot on the team was eventually given to a German pilot.

[TeeELL]

That looks very nice Andy,
a great addition to your themed collection.

[PaulBradley]

Very nice!

[Andy Dighton]

Revell 1/72 Hunter F6.
RAF 43 Squadron "The Fighting Cocks"
In 1954 43 Squadron became the first squadron to be equipped with Hawker Hunters. By 1955 they had become the RAF's official display team comprising of 4 x F1's. Over the next couple years they were upgraded to F4's and then F6's. By 1957 they had been replaced as the official RAF team but continued occasional displays.

[Andy Dighton]

Frog 1/72 Candair Sabre.
RAF 234 Squadron
Formed in 1955 234 Squadron display team consisted of 4 x Canadair Sabres. The majority of their displays were in Cyprus and the squadron was disbanded in 1957 due government defence cuts.

[Andy Dighton]

Airfix 1/72 Vampire FB5
RAF 72 Squadron
The display team was formed in 1947 with 3 x Vampires. In 1948 the team count was up to 5 x Vampires and and became the first RAF Jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic non stop. They displayed across USA and Europe until 1952 when the squadron was converted to Meteors and the display team was disbanded.

[Andy Dighton]

Xtrakit 1/72 Meteor F8
RAF 64 Squadron

This team originally comprised of 4 x Meteor F8 and flew from April 1953 to October 1954.
A 5th Meteor was added to the formation in May 1954.

[Bissyboat]

Fantastic additions.

[Andy Dighton]

Eastern Express 1/72 Hunter F Mk.1 72272 (ex Frog)


The Black Knights. 54 Squadron
After upgrading from Vampires in 1955, The Black Knights became the first of many RAF Hunter display teams.
They were given the name "Black Knights" due to all black flying suits worn during displays.
The Black Knights gave their final show in November 1955 having flown 21 displays.

[TeeELL]

Nice work Andy. You planning on building an aircraft of the ‘Green Marrows’?

[Andy Dighton]

Nice work Andy. You planning on building an aircraft of the ‘Green Marrows’?

Not as such. Same squadron (231/OCU), same aircraft (Canberra) but they had a bigger display history in the 50's.
Cost of a kit in 1/72 plus conversion to a T4 variant has put it on the back burner.

[TeeELL]

I remember seeing the 4 ship in the 50’s, or rather I have photographic evidence of me seeing them! I will dig it out although my photographic skills as a 7/8/9 year old were not great!