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The Black Arrows
It was Squadron Leader Roger Topp, the commanding officer of the suadron at the time, whose enthusiasm for aerobatics led to the formation of the Squadron's Five-Ship aerobatic display team. The team were soon performing to crowds in the UK and overseas. By the end of 1956 the Hunter F6 had replaced the Hunter F4 variant, with improvements such as an up-rated engine, leading edge wing extensions and an all-moving tail-plane, all of which improved the aerobatic capability of the aircraft.
Winning Fighter Command's aerobatics competition that year allowed the team to go on to represent the RAF at every major air-show in 1957. The display colour scheme consisted of an all black gloss finish and would play a key role in deciding the team name later that year.
May 1957 was spent preparing for the major display of the year, the 22nd Paris Salon. Following a captivating Five-Ship display a French journalist reported on Treble One’s exceptional flying abilities and referred to the team as “Les Fleches Noirs” Treble One’s display team had been given its name, and from then on would be known world-wide as: The Black Arrows.
Winning Fighter Command's aerobatics competition that year allowed the team to go on to represent the RAF at every major air-show in 1957. The display colour scheme consisted of an all black gloss finish and would play a key role in deciding the team name later that year.
May 1957 was spent preparing for the major display of the year, the 22nd Paris Salon. Following a captivating Five-Ship display a French journalist reported on Treble One’s exceptional flying abilities and referred to the team as “Les Fleches Noirs” Treble One’s display team had been given its name, and from then on would be known world-wide as: The Black Arrows.
Although the Paris display was impressive, the highlight of 1957 was yet to come. At the September Farnborough Air-Show, in place of the expected 5-ship display team, the Black Arrows displayed a Diamond Nine-Ship. This was merely the beginning.
On 19 February 1958 the Sqn made its first post-war move to North Luffenham followed in quick succession by a move to RAF Wattisham. The Sqn continued to display, train and perfect their formation aerobatics. Nearly at the end of his tour, Squadron Ldr Topp had one last trick up his sleeve.
Farnborough, 1958. The public and media had gathered, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Black Arrows display team. With a roar, 14 all-black Hunters were approaching the airfield at low level from the west, but with them in the same formation were 8 camouflaged Hunters drawn from other Fighter Command squadrons. It was clear that something very special was about to occur.
On 19 February 1958 the Sqn made its first post-war move to North Luffenham followed in quick succession by a move to RAF Wattisham. The Sqn continued to display, train and perfect their formation aerobatics. Nearly at the end of his tour, Squadron Ldr Topp had one last trick up his sleeve.
Farnborough, 1958. The public and media had gathered, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Black Arrows display team. With a roar, 14 all-black Hunters were approaching the airfield at low level from the west, but with them in the same formation were 8 camouflaged Hunters drawn from other Fighter Command squadrons. It was clear that something very special was about to occur.
To the crowd’s amazement, all 22 Hunters, in close formation then pulled up into the sky and completed a full loop. Just to prove this wasn’t luck, and to the audience’s delight, they then completed a second loop. Since that day such a feat has never been performed again by so many aircraft at once.
Read the excellent narrative, Going for a Loop, written by the leader Roger Topp.
Commanded by Sqn Ldr Peter Latham the Black Arrows befittingly completed their final display over the Squadron’s home base of Wattisham in November 1960. Since 1958 they had displayed 173 times, including 33 overseas displays.
The legacy of the Black Arrows lives on today with the Red Arrows taking part of their name from the legendary CXI(F) Squadron display team.
Read the excellent narrative, Going for a Loop, written by the leader Roger Topp.
Commanded by Sqn Ldr Peter Latham the Black Arrows befittingly completed their final display over the Squadron’s home base of Wattisham in November 1960. Since 1958 they had displayed 173 times, including 33 overseas displays.
The legacy of the Black Arrows lives on today with the Red Arrows taking part of their name from the legendary CXI(F) Squadron display team.
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