Whether an ardent aviation enthusiast or not, all those who have turned their eyes upward to the sky at an air show will be familiar with the thrilling flying performed by multiple aircraft. However, long before the world-famous RAF Red Arrows were simultaneously looping and rolling through carefully choreographed aerial routines, a wide variety of other military teams were taking it in turns to wow the crowds. With the formation of an aerobatic team serving a number of highly useful purposes ? from expanding pilot capabilities, to showcasing a service's skill to a PR engagement with members of the public ? these aerial entertainers seldom failed to excite. Following the evolution of British aerobatic teams from the dawn of the jet age, this meticulously researched volume incorporates exhilarating first-hand accounts from a myriad of RAF and Fleet Air Arm outfits: including early Meteor and Vampire formations, lesser-known Hunter teams, popular Jet Provost units, the iconic Yellowjacks and their celebrated successors, right up to the 'Reds'. So climb aboard a Sea Vixen, strap into a Lightning and follow the Black Arrows around their world-record 22-Hunter loop in this comprehensive profusely illustrated celebration of formation flying. AUTHOR: Charlotte Bailey is an award-winning journalist and author of the critically acclaimed Vampire Boys, published in 2022. She began her aviation career building special-shaped hot-air balloons. However, a love of fixed-wing flight prompted a sidestep into writing and she has worked on titles worldwide, as well as learning to fly a Piper Supercub. Alongside her writing work, she helps crew for the last airworthy ex-RAF Vampire in the world, the T.11 WZ507 ? a venture the heritage and history of which she describes as an ?essential element? to preserve.
