The Sharks
| The Sharks | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Country: |
 United Kingdom
|
| Currently used aircraft type: | Westland Gazelle |
| Sponsor: | Royal Navy |
| Base airfield: | RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall |
| Founding: | 1975 |
| Colours: | red |
The The Sharks (dt translated. The sharks) were the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team from 1975 to 1992. They flew four red Westland Gazelle helicopters, with helicopters and pilots from the 705 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall .
history
The Sharks were formed in 1975 and were unusual in that the teams on the team changed every year. The pilots were all instructors from the 705 NAS. At the time, this was the squadron responsible for the basic training of the Royal Navy helicopter pilots. Membership in the "Sharks" was voluntary. All tasks, the rehearsals, overflights to and from the display location and the flight demonstrations themselves were carried out by the team in addition to their normal tasks of training the flight students on the Westland Gazelle.
The "Sharks" performances were famous for mixing together a number of different maneuvers, with close formation, synchronized opposition / mirror image flight maneuvers, and solo flights. The performance usually lasted ten to twelve minutes and was highlighted by the use of a distinctive blend of red and green smoke.
The teams have been successful at air shows and events across the UK and Europe for two decades. They have been regulars at major shows such as the International Air Tattoo, Farnborough International Airshow, as well as Royal Navy organized events and the Great Britain Grand Prix .
resolution
The team was disbanded in 1992 by Royal Navy operational and budgetary commitments. Even so, the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team title was retained until the end of 1996. The 705 NAS also kept a pair of gazelles known as "gazelle pairs" ready. In 1995, a special team of four was used for a handful of demonstrations. When the Gazelle left the Royal Navy, the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team was finally dissolved in 1996.
A new display team with two Westland Lynx helicopters was formed in 2001 and has been known as the Black Cats since 2004 . The Black Cats are the successors to The Sharks.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Aerobatic Display Teams - 705 Squadron: The Sharks . Royal Navy Museum. Archived from the original on December 9, 2009. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
- ^ Helicopter Display Team (Black Cats) . Royal Navy website. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
