0:00:02 > 0:00:06Can there be anything more British than the love of adrenalin?
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Determination in the face of adversity...
0:00:11 > 0:00:12That is not show standard.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15..which epitomises the RAF.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Brilliant to watch. It never gets tiring.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Over the course of their action-packed summer season,
0:00:20 > 0:00:24we'll be flying with Britain's ultimate pilots,
0:00:24 > 0:00:25the Red Arrows,
0:00:28 > 0:00:31with their fellow display teams, the Typhoon Jets...
0:00:33 > 0:00:35..the Chinook Helicopter...
0:00:37 > 0:00:40..and the Hurricanes and Spitfires.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44We're going inside the bubble to chart the courage it takes
0:00:44 > 0:00:48to pull off the most famous flying experience in the world.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50RADIO CRACKLE
0:01:05 > 0:01:07The Red Arrows - the most respected
0:01:07 > 0:01:11and iconic aerobatic team on the planet.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14These superhuman pilots have been thrilling
0:01:14 > 0:01:16millions of fans for over 50 years.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18'Rolling south.'
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Turning British skies red, white and blue
0:01:21 > 0:01:24throughout the display season requires courage
0:01:24 > 0:01:28when travelling at speeds of more than 450mph...
0:01:28 > 0:01:29'Rolling.'
0:01:29 > 0:01:31..with only six foot between jets.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35It takes a punishing schedule in the air
0:01:35 > 0:01:38and a mammoth planning operation on the ground to pull this off,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41as the ultimate showmen of the skies
0:01:41 > 0:01:44prepare for their busiest weekend of the year...
0:01:45 > 0:01:48..and it all starts in the most prestigious way possible -
0:01:48 > 0:01:52a fly-past at Buckingham Palace in front of thousands.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56And just two hours later, they need to be show-ready again,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59joining forces with vintage Second World War fighters
0:01:59 > 0:02:00at Biggin Hill Air Show.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05And less than 24 hours after that, be at the top of their flying game
0:02:05 > 0:02:09to display for some of the RAF's highest-ranking officers at Cosford.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13That's be the most challenging day of the season so far.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15The pressure to perform is incredible.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19That's not show standard. We have to improve that on the next sortie,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21and our third sortie today.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24But will their arch-enemy, the great British weather,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28turn their busiest flying weekend into their biggest nightmare?
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Now the biggest factor is the weather.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34It's a real shame cos all week it's been absolutely beautiful.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52The countdown's begun to the busiest two days in the Red Arrows calendar.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56They're hoping to take their place
0:02:56 > 0:02:59in one of the biggest displays of aerial might in decades.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04This year's Royal Birthday salute over Buckingham Palace is scheduled
0:03:04 > 0:03:09to include the great squadrons of the RAF both past and present.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13It's the highest tribute the Royal Air Force can pay
0:03:13 > 0:03:16and expectations are even higher this year.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20In young Prince George, they might have a new Royal to impress.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Today the Reds are hard at it.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31They're striving as always to be pitch perfect for the big day.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38But will the boss - Red 1 - be able to pull it off?
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Good Vixen Break. Just a little bit of a ride out up at two three.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45That was the only thing you could notice and the timing was not as good as the Vixen Break.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48That's all I could really notice there. Those were good.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51But the obvious one is Helix. That is not show standard.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55We have to improve that on the next sortie and the third sortie today.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01This is Squadron Leader David Montenegro's first year in charge.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03RADIO CHATTER
0:04:04 > 0:04:07It's critical the Reds are up to show standard
0:04:07 > 0:04:09for such an auspicious occasion.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12The Queen's Birthday is an annual event
0:04:12 > 0:04:15but of course, the profile is extremely high.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20It's a huge amount of pride that we have,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24being allowed to do that and to represent the service in that way.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27High-profile it may be,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30but the fly-past is just the start of a mammoth weekend of flying.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33For us in that weekend,
0:04:33 > 0:04:35straight after the fly-past we'll land at Biggin Hill,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38then we will quickly refuel the aircraft,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41brief for the display, then do a complete display at Biggin Hill,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44followed by fly-past with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
0:04:44 > 0:04:47to celebrate the Battle of Britain anniversary this year.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50So as part of that commemoration, you've got every piece,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53every spectrum that we can deliver in one day.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14It's just two days before
0:05:14 > 0:05:17their all-important appointment at the Palace.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21But the spectre of changeable weather is lurking,
0:05:21 > 0:05:23and beyond their control.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Low cloud blanketing their route to London
0:05:25 > 0:05:27is threatening to ground the team.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31And the issue... This plan isn't going to be as good,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34because we're going into the worst weather.
0:05:34 > 0:05:39If they do end up grounded for this most high-profile of aerial salutes,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42both her Majesty the Queen and the thousands of spectators
0:05:42 > 0:05:46gathered on the Mall will be hugely disappointed.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Is Waddington Met Office on here?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53As navigator, it's Red 7's near-impossible job
0:05:53 > 0:05:56to stay one step ahead of the cloud.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59I was wondering if I could chat to someone about the weather this weekend, please.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02We'd like to stay VFR below the clouds if possible.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Realistically, about 1,500 feet, 1,000 feet,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08to get out of here safely. That's great.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Thank you very much for your help. Cheers. Have a good day.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Speak tomorrow. Bye. Yeah.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15It's not good news.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18There is a front that's approaching from the south.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22And it's quite an active front, so it's thick clouds, thunderstorms,
0:06:22 > 0:06:23heavy rain.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28Because it's two days away, it's quite hard to predict,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30so they think it's going to have passed London
0:06:30 > 0:06:33by the time of the Queen's Birthday Fly-past,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36so it's going to be over us at the time we want to leave Scampton,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39so that will make it quite tricky to get out of here.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Nine months of RAF planning could lie in tatters
0:06:43 > 0:06:47and the Reds could end up with red faces if they miss the fly-past.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Yeah, we're going to need to do something...
0:06:49 > 0:06:53It's expected to include other fast jets and helicopters -
0:06:53 > 0:06:54both Sea King and Chinook -
0:06:54 > 0:06:59and those magnificent flying icons, the Hurricane and Spitfire.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02I can create a route that comes out here. Just avoid the halt.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05But Red 7 has a plan.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08If he can get them out of RAF Scampton
0:07:08 > 0:07:12before the weather tightens its grip, they might just make it.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14We are now looking at other options
0:07:14 > 0:07:17where we perhaps pre-position the jets the night before,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21so one of the options is to put the jets into Biggin Hill tomorrow.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28Squadron Leader Dave Platt coordinates the team's planning and navigation.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32Any changes made at this late stage would need sign-off from the top.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36There's all the back-up thing of the admin side,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38the engineering side.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41You have to get the wheels in motion for the changed venue.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46So the admin side will then have to book hotels and accommodation
0:07:46 > 0:07:49for the crew and the engineers, the circus.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51We can't leave it too late,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55cos that whole wheel has got to rotate and follow on afterwards
0:07:55 > 0:07:57to keep everything running smoothly.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02These engineers are unaware of the mounting problems
0:08:02 > 0:08:05threatening to rain on the Queen's Parade.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14The airbase at Biggin Hill is less than 20 miles from Central London.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17It's also where the Reds are due to fly a full display
0:08:17 > 0:08:20just hours after their Royal appointment.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23If Steve can land them in there a day early,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25they could use it as a staging post to take off from
0:08:25 > 0:08:29and beat the great British weather to the Palace.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31I'm not too keen on this Stansted one,
0:08:31 > 0:08:35because we've only got this option to come out north-west
0:08:35 > 0:08:37so there's your two-minute point in.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- OK.- Biggin's a better option.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Hello. Can I speak to Barry, please?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Hi, it's Steve Morris calling from the Red Arrows. How are you doing?
0:08:44 > 0:08:47We might need to come down on Friday. Is that even a possibility
0:08:47 > 0:08:50that we can park the jets at Biggin Hill on Friday? That's all.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Thank you very much for your help. Bye.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Yeah, shall I call the boss?
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Yeah. Call the boss. Have a chat with him.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00I think Biggin's the best effort.
0:09:07 > 0:09:1234-year-old Steve Morris has been with the Red Arrows for three years.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14RADIO CHATTER
0:09:14 > 0:09:16He flies as Synchro 2 and performs
0:09:16 > 0:09:21some of the most exhilarating and challenging moves in the display.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22Good girl.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26I remember being young and people saying,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28"What do you want to do when you're older?"
0:09:28 > 0:09:29I always wanted to fly.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Always wanted to be a pilot, so I was fortunate enough to get in.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35As you progress through your Air Force career,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37it was first of all, "I want to fly jets,"
0:09:37 > 0:09:40and then once that happened, I wanted to fly the Harrier
0:09:40 > 0:09:42and then that happened and you think,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45"I'd really like to give the Reds a shot."
0:09:45 > 0:09:48When I got told I was in, I was just...I couldn't believe it.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53You can't escape the fact that flying jets six feet apart,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56turning them upside down quite close to the ground, you know,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59it does come with its dangers, but the way we train,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02every single manoeuvre that we learn has a huge brief
0:10:02 > 0:10:06that's attached to it, so it's very clear in everyone's mind
0:10:06 > 0:10:08what actions need to be taken at every single stage.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12The whole job keeps you grounded because actually,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15it's the red suit that's famous and the red aeroplanes.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16It's not the people that...
0:10:16 > 0:10:19We're just lucky enough for three or four years
0:10:19 > 0:10:21or, you know, the boss comes by, he does it for six years.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24We're just the people that are lucky enough to wear that red suit,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27go and fly the red aeroplanes, but actually, when you're not in them,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29the proof is in the pudding -
0:10:29 > 0:10:32as we're walking around here now, no-one knows who you are.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Come on, Maggs. - HE WHISTLES
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Come on! Good girl.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51The Reds are due to take off for the Palace in 24 hours
0:10:51 > 0:10:56but the British climate is kicking in, worsening minute by minute.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03Dramatic action is called for and Red 1 has cancelled all leave,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07summoning the entire team to base a day ahead of schedule.
0:11:07 > 0:11:08OK, Cheers, boss. Bye.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- Right. Um... Er, 16.00 land at Biggin.- Yeah.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Your route time.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20So that'll be a...er... 15.20 departure.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- Yeah.- Well say, 15.15 out of here - gives five minutes' flight.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26For the ops room, however,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29there are more than just nine pilots to think about.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32So we're all spooling up everyone now.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Engineers are getting the jets ready.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38We'll do some quick planning to change the routes.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Admin will get the hotels in place
0:11:41 > 0:11:46and other people on the road will move earlier to get to Biggin Hill,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48so we'll put all that in motion now.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51I'd expect the majority of the pilots will be met briefing
0:11:51 > 0:11:54just after lunch, I think, ready to go.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02The engineers get prepped to leave,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06whilst Red 1 waits for the remaining pilots to arrive.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Was it a fairly easy decision, changing the plans last minute?
0:12:13 > 0:12:17It's never an easy decision, but when you're planning for success,
0:12:17 > 0:12:20then the interesting bit is...
0:12:20 > 0:12:23looking at a forecast that's 24 hours out -
0:12:23 > 0:12:28you just...if you've got a decision where if you pre-position,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30and the forecast is actually pretty good,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34versus, well, it's questionable that you'd even be able to take off safe
0:12:34 > 0:12:36and it could be that bad,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39then ultimately, that part wasn't too bad.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40I suppose the difficult bit is
0:12:40 > 0:12:43you know this is a day's leave for the guys.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46So two of them had - I think, two- and three-year-old birthdays
0:12:46 > 0:12:48to celebrate this afternoon
0:12:48 > 0:12:52and you know that that decision has ruined their families' day off.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54The guys understand, I know their families do,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56but that's just the way it goes.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05One of these families belongs to Red 5.
0:13:05 > 0:13:0733-year-old Tom Bould.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12He lives with his wife Danielle who is all too familiar with
0:13:12 > 0:13:15the singular pressures of being a part of the Red Arrows family.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I just watch it through gritted teeth
0:13:20 > 0:13:25and the whole time hold my breath and just worry the whole time,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28but then, I suppose that's my job - to worry.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31It's your job to concentrate and it's my job to worry about it.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34It's natural for people at home to worry.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37You fly nine aircraft very close together and doing loops and rolls,
0:13:37 > 0:13:39so it probably looks more dangerous than it feels,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42so I think it's perfectly natural for...
0:13:42 > 0:13:46for everyone to feel more anxiety than we do about it.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- Yeah, what is it? Is it a red arrow?- Yeah.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- Yeah. Shall we get it out? - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55We go away and we work quite hard but I miss these guys a lot.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58I'm sure Danielle thinks the time away is quite hard on her
0:13:58 > 0:14:00and I'm sure it is without me.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03But it's always great to come home and have these two greeting me when I get back.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08It is hard work with Tom away, but he's been on other squadrons
0:14:08 > 0:14:11where he's been away for months and months at a time, you know,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14so him being away a week here and a week there,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17or a few days at a time, is actually not too bad.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22It's easier than him being away for two months at a time, that's for sure.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26You do get used to it. It's never easy, but you do get used to it.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Good job. You going to high five?
0:14:29 > 0:14:30Yeah. Good job.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42For Tom and the rest of the team,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45it's now a battle against the clock and the weather
0:14:45 > 0:14:49to get off base before low cloud stops them in their tracks.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Three, two, one.
0:14:52 > 0:14:5525 past, quarter past take-off.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Welcome. Scampton to Biggin. With sevens now, we have no fly-pass.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00Route, east then south,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03and then tracking round the back end of Southend for Biggin.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06OK, our first taste of a short runway for us.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08It's narrower. It's 121 feet.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13I will aim to land at just past the first Arrow, number two.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15You may have...I mean, you can get
0:15:15 > 0:15:17double-decker buses going past there,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20so just try and avoid the humped-type base approach,
0:15:20 > 0:15:21and then getting yourself long
0:15:21 > 0:15:24or getting yourself slow if you do that. So nice constant fly-pass,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27more relevant for the low stackers on there.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Great. We shall check in on the hour.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37In less than 24 hours, the Queen is hoping to see
0:15:37 > 0:15:40her Birthday Fly-past in front of a crowd of thousands.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Moving closer to London now
0:15:44 > 0:15:47will be their only chance to meet her wishes.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55The jets head to the runway for take-off as planned...
0:15:56 > 0:15:59..but bad news comes through.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Red 8 is grounded.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- RADIO:- 'The surface rain is one three to five knots. Stand by, security.'
0:16:06 > 0:16:08'10's available.'
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Well, I'm just going to start up. Part of the pre-start checks
0:16:19 > 0:16:24is to...check you've got the right amount of igniters for the aircraft.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27In case you need to restart it in the air for whatever reason.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32I've only got one, so hopefully, touch wood, it's a quick fix,
0:16:32 > 0:16:34but um, got to get...
0:16:34 > 0:16:37You've seen the guys there, they're off to Biggin now.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40I'll chase them down, probably about half an hour after them,
0:16:40 > 0:16:42just to make sure we're all pre-positioned down there,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45cos obviously the weather is going to be shocking here tomorrow.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49With Olly's jet grounded, the team has no option
0:16:49 > 0:16:53but to send him off in the non-smoke-trailing spare.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56It's nearly done, should be starting up in about five, ten minutes.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00No worries. I'll be going down to Biggin all on my own.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04This is a little bit of practice.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08RADIO COMMUNICATION
0:17:15 > 0:17:17It's never good to be standing on the ground
0:17:17 > 0:17:19when everyone else is up there!
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Once Olly finally takes to the air,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28the Blues race to fix his original aircraft.
0:17:28 > 0:17:33It's imperative the Reds have their full contingent of smoking jets
0:17:33 > 0:17:35ready for the Queen's fly-past.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38We've done a bit of fault finding, taken a fuse out, basically,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41isolated which side it is and now we just replace and ignite it.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45With every minute, the weather window at Biggin Hill is closing.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Time is not on their side.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51This is the old igniter which has been removed.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54This one is quite heavily eroded on there,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56so potentially, it could be a problem.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59We'll try and make it tonight, we've got a deadline of half four.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02If we make that, it'll go today. If not, it'll go tomorrow.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05The team need to get the jet out tonight
0:18:05 > 0:18:08as thick cloud is forecast over Scampton tomorrow,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11which means no aircraft will be able to take off.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14It always seems to happen when it's something important
0:18:14 > 0:18:16like the Queen's Birthday, but, you know,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18that's what we're here to do, so...
0:18:22 > 0:18:26At Biggin Hill, the team is landing on the tricky short runway
0:18:26 > 0:18:29just as clouds begin to gather.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43Back at RAF Scampton, the weather has defeated the team.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46They've missed their window for take-off.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48The weather at Biggin Hill's turned now for the worse,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51so we can't get in there, so even though it's nice here,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54it's not down there, so it's going to have to go tomorrow morning.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57The team's plans are in jeopardy.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59For Wing Commander Martin Higgins,
0:18:59 > 0:19:01the man in charge of the entire Red Arrows team,
0:19:01 > 0:19:06the problems mean the Arrows are a jet short for the Royal tribute.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11My concern is we have nine smoking, or nine smoke-capable aircraft,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13and one that cannot produce smoke,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15so, for the Queen's Birthday fly-past,
0:19:15 > 0:19:19I'd prefer if there was an extra smoking-capable aircraft,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21so that'll be my job tomorrow morning
0:19:21 > 0:19:23to make sure it gets there on time.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Right, what's next?
0:19:26 > 0:19:30After the disappointment of watching his colleagues take off without him,
0:19:30 > 0:19:35Red 8 finally lands at Biggin Hill in the non-smoking jet.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42So I'm half an hour later than the rest of the boys.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47It's not a smoking aircraft, so it'll only be a spare for the boss.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49We'll try and get 219, which is my aircraft down
0:19:49 > 0:19:52tomorrow morning and that's got full smoke pod
0:19:52 > 0:19:54ready for the Queen's Birthday Fly-past,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57so this is the extra spare and of course,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00I need to be pre-positioned down here as well as the display pilots,
0:20:00 > 0:20:04so hence why I jumped in the spare chair and brought it down, but...
0:20:04 > 0:20:05Sort of lonely trip down, really.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08What's the plan for tonight, then?
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Quiet night, cos we've got to be on our game for the show
0:20:10 > 0:20:13and the Queen's Birthday Fly-past tomorrow morning.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17So I'm sure we'll have dinner somewhere. Er, Diet Coke!
0:20:20 > 0:20:23As the pilots head for some well-earned food,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Junior Engineering Officer Marcus Ramsden is worried.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Another problem has emerged.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Right. Number-one height system.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Yes, sir. The filter has blocked and the indicator has popped out
0:20:35 > 0:20:38to inform us that the filter has blocked.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41It happened within five hours ago, so it's now properly blocked
0:20:41 > 0:20:45so it has to be changed, so we need to get some guys down to replace it.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Yeah, I've just spoken to the flight sergeant now,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50so I've got two mechs - Phil and Martin are on the route.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Going to come down with a filter with a toolkit.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55They should be down tonight.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59We'll meet up with them in the morning and change the filter then.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02If the problem hadn't been discovered on the ground,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05this issue could jeopardise the chance of getting
0:21:05 > 0:21:07nine aircraft over Buckingham Palace.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09I've just rang the engineering support team
0:21:09 > 0:21:13back at RAF Scampton, to tee up a team of mechanical tradesmen
0:21:13 > 0:21:16to come down and they're en route now
0:21:16 > 0:21:19to drive all the way down to Biggin Hill with the spares,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22tooling and equipment to change the filter.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26Obviously, it's now 5.30 in the evening.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29With them driving down, it'll be about four hours to get down
0:21:29 > 0:21:33and then the job itself will take about two to two and half hours
0:21:33 > 0:21:36to change the filter. So they'll get down, get to bed,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39and then get up early in the morning with Drew's assistants
0:21:39 > 0:21:43and any other tradesmen from circus that are required in order to
0:21:43 > 0:21:46change the filter ready for the fly-past tomorrow morning.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55With less than 15 hours until the Queen's Birthday Fly-past,
0:21:55 > 0:21:57the Red Arrows are facing uncertainty.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02With one jet stuck on the ground more than 100 miles away
0:22:02 > 0:22:05and a second needing vital engineering work,
0:22:05 > 0:22:10their biggest day of the year could turn into a nightmare.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29It's the morning of the Queen's official birthday.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Excited crowds are already gathering in Central London.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37The Great traditions of Trooping The Colour, Royalty on the balcony
0:22:37 > 0:22:40and an aerial salute over Buckingham Palace,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42means the Mall will be packed.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Having raced down the previous night to Biggin Hill, the mechanics
0:22:49 > 0:22:53are now battling to replace the blocked filter on one of the jets.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Doesn't look like that's the easiest thing to get to.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00No, it's right inside of the engine, so...a bit of a squeeze.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Up at RAF Scampton, the second spare jet is still grounded.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09The weather is toying with the team.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17Wing Commander Martin Higgins needs a break, and he needs it now,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20to get the all important smoke-capable jet to Biggin Hill.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24As you can see from this chart, um,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27it's not very good weather at Scampton.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30The next problem is trying to get this aeroplane to Biggin Hill
0:23:30 > 0:23:32in time, so it can start, er,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35potentially be used for the Queen's Birthday Fly-past.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47It's been an intense 24 hours for Marcus and his expert technicians.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50And they're still working right down to the wire.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55We've had a team in early morning to prepare one of the jets that needed
0:23:55 > 0:23:59a little bit of remedial work on it and they are trying to launch
0:23:59 > 0:24:02another jet, 219, from RAF Scampton now.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05What we're going to do now is get the jets ready, which will take
0:24:05 > 0:24:09probably about an hour and a half, ready for the pilots to come in.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16In Central London, the celebrations are under way
0:24:16 > 0:24:20as the Queen and the Royal Family leave Buckingham Palace
0:24:20 > 0:24:21for Trooping the Colour.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Over 120 miles north of London,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Wing Commander Higgins has got his lucky break.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35There's a gap in the cloud cover.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39He takes off just in the nick of time.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42The smoke-capable jet will make the display.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48At Biggin Hill, the battle with the oil filter has been won
0:24:48 > 0:24:52and the final flight checks are being meticulously carried out.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56That was a very brief run-up.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Yes, basically just a quick leak check, make sure when we've
0:24:59 > 0:25:03changed the filter, there's no hides leaking out, so we've done that now.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06It's all good, so panel up and then she's good to go, sign up,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08and then it's ready for the fly-past.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10It's gone quite well through the first one.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15Some of them can be a pain sometimes but it's not been too bad. Um...
0:25:16 > 0:25:20So, yeah. Now we're facing a big drive back up to Scampton.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Trooping the Colour is under way, a tradition that has celebrated
0:25:36 > 0:25:39the Sovereign's official birthday since 1748.
0:25:43 > 0:25:44Morning. How you doing?
0:25:44 > 0:25:46It's under two hours to go
0:25:46 > 0:25:49until the Red Arrows are due to join 22 other aircraft
0:25:49 > 0:25:54from 12 other RAF squadrons in the fly-past over Buckingham Palace.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57The jets are in the hands of the engineers.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00The pilots are in the hands of the gods.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Their old enemy is nipping at their heels once again - low cloud
0:26:04 > 0:26:07over Central London is threatening to spoil Her Majesty's day.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Now the biggest factor is the weather.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14Which is a real shame, because all week,
0:26:14 > 0:26:15it's been absolutely beautiful.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19We have weather limits, which are 1,700 feet above main sea level,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22and 5km visibility, which is written down in the op orders,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24so it's quite clear cut that that is where the limit is.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26The weather is improving all the time,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28but it's whether or not it improves enough
0:26:28 > 0:26:31in the next hour, hour and a half, as to whether or not we can go.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Even if we get airborne and have a look at it then,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36that might be the decision.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38The issue then is you've got an awful lot of aeroplanes,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40you know, nine different formations,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42that all get airborne, find out the weather's not good enough,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45and then have to go back to wherever they started
0:26:45 > 0:26:47or maybe even a different airfield,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49so then de-confliction and flight safety
0:26:49 > 0:26:52becomes the biggest aspect of all that.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57As the pilots brace themselves for yet more bad news,
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Wing Commander Higgins is landing the spare.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03The clock is ticking on all fronts.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Well, as predicted, the weather was not that great,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11but I flew the route as planned.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15So now, all the teamwork is here, the engineers are all ready,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18this is what it's all like behind the scenes.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21NATIONAL ANTHEM PLAYS
0:27:21 > 0:27:26The Queen is on her way back to the Palace for the aerial salute,
0:27:26 > 0:27:30whilst other members of the Royal Family gather on the balcony.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Three, two, one, hack.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Right, QBF, welcome. Biggin Hill, Biggin Hill,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42B7's nav for the target today will be the Palace.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Straight ahead, right, post Richmond Park...
0:27:44 > 0:27:46It's 11.30.
0:27:46 > 0:27:47Only 93.5 minutes
0:27:47 > 0:27:51until the Reds join the other RAF teams for the Royal event.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53A decision is yet to be taken
0:27:53 > 0:27:57over the Reds' most public mission of the year so far.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59What ifs.
0:27:59 > 0:28:04If, at any stage, it is not fit on this route going out towards
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Southwold, I would just do a 180 and come back.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11After all their efforts this weekend, the prospect of having to turn back
0:28:11 > 0:28:15and not make the fly-past for her Majesty is unthinkable.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16Stand by for check-in,
0:28:16 > 0:28:20we'll just have a look at the strip-up plan and go from there.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22So, OK, thanks.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28The Reds are due over the Palace in exactly 60 minutes.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32If it's pulled on take-off,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35it won't be just the Royals feeling disappointed.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39The elite of the engineering team - the Circus - earn the privilege of
0:28:39 > 0:28:44flying back-seat as reward for their dedication and months of training.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46PILOT SPEAKS OVER RADIO
0:28:47 > 0:28:49ENGINE WHOOSHES
0:28:49 > 0:28:52For some of them, their boyhood dreams are within grasp.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57But the weather will decide.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00- HUW JENKINS:- The crowds making their way down the Mall
0:29:00 > 0:29:01towards Buckingham Palace.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05We'll have the fly-past, which is normally absolutely on the dot.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07So we're looking forward to that.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15For months, the plan has been that aircraft from 13 different squadrons
0:29:15 > 0:29:17will display for Her Majesty.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19But on take-off...
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- RADIO:- "There's your man on the ground in London asking us
0:29:22 > 0:29:25"to pass on to you that they've gone on to the weather alt-X."
0:29:27 > 0:29:31Shocking news comes through. They're flying solo.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34The Reds will be the only team heading for the Palace.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40The weather has beaten all the other squadrons, the pressure is now on
0:29:40 > 0:29:46for Red One. Target - the Palace at 3.5 minutes past one precisely.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48- HUW JENKINS:- Well, they're expecting...
0:29:48 > 0:29:50The Duke of Edinburgh there looking up to the skies.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Very cloudy, I have to say.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56For the dye team responsible for creating
0:29:56 > 0:29:58the Arrows' red, white and blue vapour trails,
0:29:58 > 0:30:01the agonising wait for the first sighting of smoke
0:30:01 > 0:30:03makes for a nervy lunch break.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10It's 13.02 and as the Reds enter London airspace,
0:30:10 > 0:30:14the Olympic Park marks the six-mile run-in to Buckingham Palace.
0:30:19 > 0:30:25Seconds later, the jets are flying at 345mph at 1,000 feet
0:30:25 > 0:30:27above London's financial district,
0:30:27 > 0:30:31passing the Shard, the UK's tallest building.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43"Reds, colours...go!"
0:30:45 > 0:30:49It's smoke on "go" from all nine jets.
0:30:49 > 0:30:55Well, there's the Red Arrows. And that's a pretty spectacular display.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02- Just listen to the roar. - ENGINES ROAR
0:31:08 > 0:31:113.5 minutes past one. Bang on time.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23- TV:- "..worked spectacularly, as ever.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27- "The Queen seems to have enjoyed it."- Good job, everyone.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30"..Prince George and his first appearance..."
0:31:30 > 0:31:31Good reaction, I'd say.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Is it just a case of waiting until they turn that smoke on
0:31:34 > 0:31:36- to know it's all right?- Yeah.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38- That's it, yeah.- Just... - No pressure at all.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40..praying there's not a massive purple streak.
0:31:46 > 0:31:52With one full display still to go and one Royal sortie completed,
0:31:52 > 0:31:56the Reds taxi back, with an ecstatic Circus One.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02That was probably the best thing I've ever done in my entire life.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05We could hear over the radios all the different elements that
0:32:05 > 0:32:08were going to make up the fly-past couldn't get in for the weather,
0:32:08 > 0:32:09so it was going to be us or nothing
0:32:09 > 0:32:12to get over the top of Buckingham Palace.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14And I could hear the boss coming over the radios,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17he was talking about whether he should abort or not
0:32:17 > 0:32:21and, luckily, the weather, there was a break for it and we just went.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24Coming up, going past the Shard
0:32:24 > 0:32:26and the Gherkin to the left-hand side of me,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28the Mall directly in front,
0:32:28 > 0:32:30you could see all the crowds beneath,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33which was just surreal, and just came straight over the target,
0:32:33 > 0:32:38over the top of the Palace, exactly on time, all colours behind us.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41It was just absolutely unreal.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44We can't stop now, we can't rest on our laurels,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47we've got two hours now to turn the jets ready
0:32:47 > 0:32:50so they can be enjoyed by the Biggin Hill public,
0:32:50 > 0:32:54as we put on a display this afternoon, but, yeah, over the moon.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Words can't describe it.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00A lot of hard work from the boss and 6 and 7,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03and, er, the boss found his way through the bad weather.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05So, er, yeah, we made it.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09I think we might have got a small little clap from the young prince,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12or a wave or something, so...
0:33:12 > 0:33:13Hopefully, it looked good.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25There's no time for the Arrows to take their foot off the pedal.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27After dodging the weather
0:33:27 > 0:33:30and being the only aircraft over Buckingham Palace,
0:33:30 > 0:33:34the Reds still have two vital missions to complete over the weekend.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42The Biggin Hill Festival of Flight is under way.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52The air base which was this morning's staging post
0:33:52 > 0:33:55now moves centre stage, transforming into the location
0:33:55 > 0:33:58for one of Britain's most popular airshows.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07- PA:- And there is Nick, rolling around the formation.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12The Reds face a unique flying challenge here.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16For the first time in almost a decade, the Arrows are to join forces
0:34:16 > 0:34:19with some historic flying icons.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21Spitfires and Hurricanes.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25The challenge of combining three very different aircraft,
0:34:25 > 0:34:28flying in unison at a controlled speed,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31will be a massive test of their expertise.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44Thousands of aviation fans, young and old,
0:34:44 > 0:34:47have been here for hours, making sure they have front-row seats
0:34:47 > 0:34:51for one of the most symbolic displays of the entire year.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57Until that moment, the airshow tells the story of Britain's flying past,
0:34:57 > 0:35:00featuring the planes of yesteryear
0:35:00 > 0:35:03alongside the technologically advanced Typhoon jet,
0:35:03 > 0:35:05which defends our airspace today.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10This is where it all started for them as well,
0:35:10 > 0:35:12so a lot of history, yeah.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- It's home.- It is, yeah.
0:35:14 > 0:35:19Biggin Hill itself is as famous as the hardware in the skies.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22During World War Two, this airfield played a pivotal role
0:35:22 > 0:35:23in the Battle of Britain.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27The Biggin Hill wing claimed over a thousand enemy aircraft,
0:35:27 > 0:35:35but at a tragic cost - 453 brave Allied aircrew also lost their lives.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37I think it captures an era that they just love to remember.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Everybody's got a grandparent or,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42depending what generation you are, a mother or a father who was there.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45People are into family history now and are finding out
0:35:45 > 0:35:48what their relatives did and it brings it all back to life for them.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50How's it going? Would you like a brochure, mate?
0:35:50 > 0:35:53On the ground, the Blues - the Red Arrows' support crew -
0:35:53 > 0:35:55are doing their bit to promote the team.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59Have a great day. Enjoy the display.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02Enjoy the Red Arrows, we're on later on. All right?
0:36:02 > 0:36:04And we'll see you later, all right? Good job, guys.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08Go and have a good day, all right? See you later. See you later.
0:36:08 > 0:36:09Bye-bye.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Once they are aboard and astern...
0:36:13 > 0:36:17In the briefing room, the Reds rehearse their moves.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19There is simply no margin for error.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22..Enid. Brake, brake, go.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Roll. Check. Pull.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Turn. Smoke off. Go.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- Turn.- Roll. Pause. Pull.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Outside, a display involving pyrotechnics
0:36:35 > 0:36:39is a reminder that they aren't the only team thrilling the public.
0:36:40 > 0:36:41BOOMING
0:36:45 > 0:36:47SPEECH DROWNED OUT BY NOISE FROM PYROTECHNICS
0:36:52 > 0:36:53INDISTINCT
0:36:53 > 0:36:56- Wow.- Smoke bomb.
0:36:56 > 0:36:57Er, coming right...
0:36:57 > 0:36:59The Reds know the real show-stopper
0:36:59 > 0:37:02will be their emotionally charged fly-past
0:37:02 > 0:37:04with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Battle Formation is the formation call-sign
0:37:07 > 0:37:10for the Spitfire-Hurricane combine.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Fly-through.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17Once they're aboard, I'll give us as much speed as we can, 190, 195.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20We've done a lot of formation manoeuvring today, but this one is
0:37:20 > 0:37:24going to be the still picture of the day, not just the Queen's birthday.
0:37:24 > 0:37:25All right, let's have a good one
0:37:25 > 0:37:27and let's put it away all the way to the end.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30It's a long day of formation manoeuvring, but that's what we do.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Let's have a good one. Check in at 31.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41SPEECH ON RADIO
0:37:41 > 0:37:43ENGINES FIRE UP
0:37:45 > 0:37:48And a very good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52I'm Squadron Leader Mike Ling, I'm the supervisor
0:37:52 > 0:37:55with the Royal Air Force aerobatic team, the Red Arrows.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58INDISTINCT SPEECH OVER RADIO
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Now, look over to your right-hand side,
0:38:13 > 0:38:16it's time to start feeling very British, ladies and gentlemen.
0:38:17 > 0:38:18'Fly.'
0:38:20 > 0:38:22'Rolling...now.'
0:38:26 > 0:38:29'Reds, colours, go!'
0:38:29 > 0:38:30Here we go, everybody,
0:38:30 > 0:38:35it's the Royal Air Force aerobatic team for 2015!
0:38:35 > 0:38:37The Red Arrows!
0:38:40 > 0:38:41Rolling...now.'
0:38:44 > 0:38:45Keep your eyes on Gypo.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56Look left and right again now for the Synchro Pair in the Carousel.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01Of all the moves performed this year,
0:39:01 > 0:39:06the Carousel, flown by Reds 6 and 7, is the most punishing on the body.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17Red 10 takes us inside the bubble
0:39:17 > 0:39:20for a unique insight into this manoeuvre.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29The pilot is now experiencing 6G,
0:39:29 > 0:39:34his blood is forced downwards away from the heart towards his feet.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38After a few seconds of this, he would begin to experience tunnel vision
0:39:38 > 0:39:39and could black out.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44To prevent this happening, Red Arrow pilots wear a G-suit
0:39:44 > 0:39:46and undergo high G training.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50The suit inflates with pressurised air, compressing the pilot's
0:39:50 > 0:39:53stomach and legs, keeping the blood from flowing downwards
0:39:53 > 0:39:56and stopping him from losing consciousness.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06And now the moment everyone has been waiting for.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Today's flying elite pay tribute to the heroic few.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17As Churchill said, "Never in the field of human conflict
0:40:17 > 0:40:21"was so much owed by so many to so few."
0:40:21 > 0:40:24The soundtrack of World War Two -
0:40:24 > 0:40:27the growling engines of Spitfires and Hurricanes.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32The pilots who flew these gutsy fighters directly into enemy fire,
0:40:32 > 0:40:35at an average age of just 20,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38their life expectancy could be measured in days.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44INDISTINCT
0:40:44 > 0:40:48They've merged with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
0:40:48 > 0:40:51and pulled off one of their most challenging formations of the year.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56We have joined up with those five fighters
0:40:56 > 0:40:58from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
0:40:58 > 0:41:04We've got nine Hawks, two Hurricanes and three Spitfires in formation.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09Capable of speeds of more than 600mph,
0:41:09 > 0:41:13the Reds need to literally stand on their air brakes
0:41:13 > 0:41:17to get the Hawk jet down to its lowest stable flying speed.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20This will allow the much older Spitfires and Hurricanes to keep up.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28For all pilots, it's a supreme test of their flying skills.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36'Battle. Back off. Battle.'
0:41:55 > 0:41:57'5's in.'
0:41:57 > 0:41:58That was really good, yeah.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02Quite a lot of planning's gone into getting nine of us
0:42:02 > 0:42:04and getting all the Spitfires and Hurricanes together
0:42:04 > 0:42:08and it's quite hard work with slow speeds in the Hawk.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12I mean, the Spitfires and Hurricanes are flying about 180, 190 knots.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15She doesn't like it so much,
0:42:15 > 0:42:16but the boys did really well
0:42:16 > 0:42:21and especially when, er, a demanding sortie this morning,
0:42:21 > 0:42:23the Queen's birthday, land, two hours' turn,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26complete display, then join up with them to do the fly-past.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28It's great, but I'll be honest,
0:42:28 > 0:42:33that was the most challenging day I've had this season so far.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37This morning was all about royalty,
0:42:37 > 0:42:39this afternoon - the Great British Public.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41- See you tomorrow. - See you, guys, bye.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45But tomorrow, the eyes of the RAF's top brass will be watching,
0:42:45 > 0:42:48as the Reds headline at the Air Force's very own airshow.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Sunday morning, and at RAF Cosford, the countdown's begun
0:43:07 > 0:43:11to the Reds' third public appearance in less than 48 hours.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18Red 1 is landing the team at RAF Shawbury, 18 miles away,
0:43:18 > 0:43:21because the runway at Cosford is too short.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31Whilst the RAF is showcasing the very best of British in the skies...
0:43:36 > 0:43:40..Red 1 is struggling with the very worst of British weather.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44With low cloud forcing him to fly a flat display all weekend,
0:43:44 > 0:43:48this afternoon is his last chance to fly a more dynamic show.
0:43:48 > 0:43:50But only if the weather allows.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56This is Red 1's first year as team leader.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59He previously flew with the team from 2009-2011.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03It is the first time he's designed
0:44:03 > 0:44:05and choreographed the Arrows' display.
0:44:08 > 0:44:12'Hold it. About...now'
0:44:12 > 0:44:17Flying nine jets at 400mph is only one of his challenges.
0:44:17 > 0:44:20Timing, I think, is probably the hardest bit to choreograph.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22INDISTINCT RADIO COMMAND
0:44:24 > 0:44:27Particularly in the second half, where you have my section, Enid,
0:44:27 > 0:44:29and then the rear section, led by Red 6.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32To make sure there's always something going
0:44:32 > 0:44:34in front of the crowd is the bit that you focus on.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37We have a wider formation called Loose Diamond,
0:44:37 > 0:44:38where we all do an aileron roll.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41Reds, rolling...now.'
0:44:45 > 0:44:49Then, when the weather's nice, we join from quite a wide formation
0:44:49 > 0:44:53into the slot and it brings a hugely wide formation into a long, thin one
0:44:53 > 0:44:54which is called Blackbird.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56'Blackbird. Go.'
0:44:56 > 0:44:58INDISTINCT RADIO COMMAND
0:45:01 > 0:45:03Watching the response of the team pilots train for that,
0:45:03 > 0:45:06I realised how much they enjoyed it and that rubbed off on me.
0:45:06 > 0:45:10I realised that it was a big win, so that, I really enjoy flying.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14It's been really nice to see the mirror roll come back this year.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16It hasn't been flown for lots of years.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18Those who are knowledgeable about display flying,
0:45:18 > 0:45:21they probably more than most appreciate the difficulty,
0:45:21 > 0:45:22the challenges that it takes
0:45:22 > 0:45:24for Reds 6 and 7 to perform that manoeuvre.
0:45:32 > 0:45:36Red 10 Squadron Leader Mike Ling gives us a unique insight
0:45:36 > 0:45:40into this manoeuvre from inside the cockpit of Red 7.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45Two pilots fly back to back, mirroring each other,
0:45:45 > 0:45:47whilst travelling at 400 mph.
0:45:49 > 0:45:53To maintain close positioning during this formation roll,
0:45:53 > 0:45:55the pilot must keep his head tilted right back
0:45:55 > 0:45:57in order to be able to see the other aircraft.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05Each aircraft rotates through 360 degrees during the barrel roll.
0:46:07 > 0:46:11In this manoeuvre, Red 7 is pushing minus 2.5G...
0:46:11 > 0:46:14meaning the G-force works in the opposite sense.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17Blood is now being forced into his head
0:46:17 > 0:46:21and there is nothing he can do to stop this happening.
0:46:21 > 0:46:25In a negative G situation, the G-Suit is redundant.
0:46:39 > 0:46:44At RAF Cosford, Red 10 is landing in advance of the rest of the team.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47He's the safety supervisor in charge on the ground
0:46:47 > 0:46:51and provides the commentary for every single Reds display.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54He also keeps an eye on the weather.
0:46:55 > 0:46:57It was pretty rough coming out of Biggin Hill this morning.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00We had to come as three separate sections,
0:47:00 > 0:47:02so it was quite an interesting flight in cloud
0:47:02 > 0:47:04all around the south coast.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07The forecast was for it to be, with a front coming through,
0:47:07 > 0:47:09might get some showers later, but a uniform cloud base
0:47:09 > 0:47:12of about 2,500 feet, so we'll see how we get on.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14If we get 2,500, Monty can fly the rolling show,
0:47:14 > 0:47:16which would be better for everybody here.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19The flat show is... it's not quite as dynamic
0:47:19 > 0:47:21for the first seven or eight minutes,
0:47:21 > 0:47:23so hopefully, it'll all work out.
0:47:26 > 0:47:31The Reds are the big draw for the 55,000-strong crowd
0:47:31 > 0:47:33and not only for their aerobatic displays.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39They're in great demand on the ground too.
0:47:39 > 0:47:43Only this time, they've dropped in to meet their loyal supporters up close.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52They have an army of fans who travel hundreds of miles every year
0:47:52 > 0:47:54to meet their heroes on terra firma.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01Sacks of mail arrive at RAF Scampton daily,
0:48:01 > 0:48:04whilst online, their web presence is growing fast.
0:48:06 > 0:48:10It's an awesome part of the job, to get to these tents
0:48:10 > 0:48:14and meet the public who stand out and watch our display every time,
0:48:14 > 0:48:16so really important that we come along when we can
0:48:16 > 0:48:18and try and meet as many people as possible.
0:48:18 > 0:48:20You never really get used to seeing as many people queueing
0:48:20 > 0:48:23for as long as they do to see us, we're just normal people,
0:48:23 > 0:48:26but, of course, they're coming to see the red suits and the team,
0:48:26 > 0:48:30so it's important we do it and smile and chat away as long as possible.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32Thank you very much.
0:48:32 > 0:48:34I don't think you ever get used to doing this, actually.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37It's always nice to see how everybody comes in so happy
0:48:37 > 0:48:40and really pleased that you've made the airshow,
0:48:40 > 0:48:41so, yeah, it's nice,
0:48:41 > 0:48:43but I don't think you ever get used to it, really.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45There we go. Awesome suit.
0:48:48 > 0:48:52In the air, the RAF is showcasing their newest aircraft.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55But Red 10 is hoping his boys will steal the show
0:48:55 > 0:49:00with their shiny new 2015 display, plus that special formation
0:49:00 > 0:49:04to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08We try, if we can, to add something to an airshow.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10We don't want to do it all the time.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13If we do a mixed formation at every display, it doesn't make it special,
0:49:13 > 0:49:15so we just try and do one or two a year to give
0:49:15 > 0:49:17that extra edge to what RAFA is doing and, again, trying a message,
0:49:17 > 0:49:20the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain,
0:49:20 > 0:49:22we are talking about securing the skies, so the Battle of Britain,
0:49:22 > 0:49:2575 years ago, in the summer of 1940,
0:49:25 > 0:49:27they were securing the skies. Today, it's no different.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30Our Typhoon force is on quick reaction alert 24 hours a day,
0:49:30 > 0:49:32seven days a week, 365 days a year.
0:49:32 > 0:49:33So the idea being that
0:49:33 > 0:49:36if we put the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight fighters
0:49:36 > 0:49:38into a formation with the Red Arrows,
0:49:38 > 0:49:42we can link to that and use social media to get the messaging out
0:49:42 > 0:49:44and then those pictures, people will ask why we did that formation -
0:49:44 > 0:49:46well, we're trying to share the reason that
0:49:46 > 0:49:48it's the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
0:49:48 > 0:49:51and that the theme of securing the skies is enduring.
0:49:53 > 0:49:54It's now less than an hour
0:49:54 > 0:49:58until the Reds' third appearance in less than 48 hours.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01But there's always time to check out the competition.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04I don't fancy standing on top of a vintage biplane
0:50:04 > 0:50:08and having 130mph flies hit you in the face.
0:50:08 > 0:50:10I think that'd be quite uncomfortable.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12So I do take my hat off to those girls that do that.
0:50:12 > 0:50:15Obviously, I've got the flexibility for all the handstands
0:50:15 > 0:50:18and getting one leg above my head and everything,
0:50:18 > 0:50:20but I don't want the 130mph flies in my face.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22Right, Cosford, welcome.
0:50:22 > 0:50:26It's 18 hours from landing at Shawbury, the weather's...
0:50:26 > 0:50:29In the briefing room, Red 1 is getting the team ready
0:50:29 > 0:50:32for the last display of the busy weekend.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35But will they get the chance to showcase their most dynamic show?
0:50:35 > 0:50:382,000 Watt-Wind is 3.6.0.10,
0:50:38 > 0:50:41few at 2,000, broken at 2-8.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43See if it's improving, flat or rolling.
0:50:43 > 0:50:44Hopefully rolling by the time...
0:50:44 > 0:50:47So far, the weather has forced the Reds to fly
0:50:47 > 0:50:49their less dynamic "flat" display.
0:50:49 > 0:50:53With clearer skies, they could perform their rolling - or full -
0:50:53 > 0:50:56display with more dramatic moves.
0:50:56 > 0:50:58Let's talk rolling.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01OK? It might be a late decision on the way in for number 2...
0:51:01 > 0:51:04But low cloud is still hanging around.
0:51:04 > 0:51:08With such a demanding audience to impress, Red 1 will decide
0:51:08 > 0:51:12at the very last minute which display the team can perform.
0:51:12 > 0:51:16The pilots set off for their third and final show
0:51:16 > 0:51:17in less than 48 hours.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22But they're not the only showmen in the Red Arrows.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28The Circus have their own tradition of performing in formation too.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36The Circus perform what's known as the "Circus see-off"
0:51:36 > 0:51:38at every air field that we go to.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42There's normally a handful of people that get to witness it.
0:51:43 > 0:51:47It's not a dance, it's a rehearsal where we all move round in unison
0:51:47 > 0:51:50and it's something that sets the ground crew off
0:51:50 > 0:51:52compared to the different aerobatic display teams.
0:51:53 > 0:51:57It's our signature send-off to the pilots, just to say,
0:51:57 > 0:51:59"We've done everything we can.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02"Over to you boys to go and do the best you can in the skies."
0:52:04 > 0:52:08It's something that we practise and make sure we're on top of the game,
0:52:08 > 0:52:11like the pilots do in the air as well.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30It's now almost time for the Red Arrows
0:52:30 > 0:52:33and the man in the red suit has appeared on the commentary tower,
0:52:33 > 0:52:35Squadron Leader Mike Ling.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40It's decision time for Red 1.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43He must now choose whether to fly a flat or a rolling display.
0:52:44 > 0:52:47With a cloud base of less than 500 feet,
0:52:47 > 0:52:51he can't risk the lives of the pilots by making the wrong decision.
0:52:51 > 0:52:55We do have three types of display we can fly, depending on the weather.
0:52:55 > 0:52:57Our flat display is what we will fly
0:52:57 > 0:53:00if the cloud base is below 2,500 feet.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03I think, unfortunately, here at the Cosford Airshow,
0:53:03 > 0:53:05that might be the case this afternoon.
0:53:05 > 0:53:06If a break does come up,
0:53:06 > 0:53:08then Red 1 can elect to change to a rolling display,
0:53:08 > 0:53:11where we can fly our formation barrel rolls.
0:53:11 > 0:53:13And if we get a big blue gap,
0:53:13 > 0:53:15then we will go for our full display,
0:53:15 > 0:53:17allowing looping manoeuvres.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20Red 1 has just sent a late decision,
0:53:20 > 0:53:24so he'll make that decision as he runs in to the display.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27And he'll look whether he can get those barrel rolls in
0:53:27 > 0:53:28or whether he will elect to go flat.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32The weather has dogged their entire weekend...
0:53:32 > 0:53:34- RED 1:- 'Go flat.'
0:53:35 > 0:53:36..and now, once again,
0:53:36 > 0:53:40it has forced Red 1 to choose the less dynamic flat display.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45He has just said he's going to start with a flat display,
0:53:45 > 0:53:48so, please, ladies and gentlemen, let's have a big round of applause
0:53:48 > 0:53:53as we now welcome the Royal Air Force aerobatic team for 2015.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57It's the Red Arrows!
0:53:57 > 0:54:00COMMANDS OVER RADIO
0:54:04 > 0:54:07This is our trademark shape. Cameras ready for Diamond.
0:54:11 > 0:54:13COMMAND OVER RADIO
0:54:14 > 0:54:19A new manoeuvre for 2015, the Whirlwind.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21'Reds, rolling...now.'
0:54:26 > 0:54:29The jets are now travelling at 400mph
0:54:29 > 0:54:32as they fly directly towards each other.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34COMMAND OVER RADIO
0:54:42 > 0:54:45'Just going a little bit right.'
0:54:45 > 0:54:48- MIKE LING:- 'The pilots now work hard to counter the G-force.'
0:54:48 > 0:54:51Without the protective G-Suits,
0:54:51 > 0:54:54the pilots run the risk of blacking out.
0:54:54 > 0:54:56Their smoke comes on and the wings drop down
0:54:56 > 0:54:58to form an inverted V shape.
0:54:58 > 0:55:02'Now Red 9 with his smoke on to perform the Goose.'
0:55:05 > 0:55:06COMMAND OVER RADIO
0:55:12 > 0:55:14COMMAND OVER RADIO
0:55:17 > 0:55:19COMMAND OVER RADIO
0:55:21 > 0:55:25Red 6 left, Red 7 right. Crossing three times at 6G
0:55:25 > 0:55:27in the Carousel.
0:55:39 > 0:55:41'This is the Twister.'
0:55:41 > 0:55:46The Twister manoeuvre involves Red 4 rotating around the outside
0:55:46 > 0:55:47of four other jets.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51'6 fully in.'
0:55:58 > 0:56:00'Go!'
0:56:03 > 0:56:06- MIKE LING:- 'Now Reds 6 and 7 roll upside down.'
0:56:07 > 0:56:10COMMANDS OVER RADIO
0:56:11 > 0:56:14'8 and 9 are all around them in the Corkscrew.'
0:56:14 > 0:56:17During the Corkscrew, Reds 8 and 9 have to work hard
0:56:17 > 0:56:21to get the rhythm right and keep the manoeuvre looking slick.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23'8 and 9, roll.'
0:56:23 > 0:56:26- MIKE LING:- '8 and 9 pitch up to roll around the Synchro Pair,
0:56:26 > 0:56:28'who then roll.'
0:56:28 > 0:56:29COMMAND OVER RADIO
0:56:39 > 0:56:42The display's finale - the Vixen Break.
0:56:44 > 0:56:47'You've been watching the Royal Air Force aerobatic team,
0:56:47 > 0:56:48'the Red Arrows!'
0:56:48 > 0:56:51CHEERING
0:57:04 > 0:57:06Again, another busy sortie.
0:57:06 > 0:57:07I didn't have a...
0:57:07 > 0:57:09I was a bit frustrated with some of the things
0:57:09 > 0:57:11with my performance in the sortie.
0:57:11 > 0:57:12A flat show,
0:57:12 > 0:57:15one of those days where it was difficult to pick the weather,
0:57:15 > 0:57:17so it's which show to fly.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19Opted for the flat and I think, as we finished the show,
0:57:19 > 0:57:22I thought, probably could have rolled that, so a bit frustrated,
0:57:22 > 0:57:24but the boys had a really good show.
0:57:24 > 0:57:27But, no, it's been good. A lot of high-profile stuff
0:57:27 > 0:57:30and so far, so good, but tomorrow will be another day.
0:57:30 > 0:57:33The Red Arrows!
0:57:34 > 0:57:35They've done it.
0:57:36 > 0:57:38It's been a pressurised weekend of fly-pasts
0:57:38 > 0:57:41and formations for the Red Arrows.
0:57:41 > 0:57:44I'll be honest, that was the most challenging day
0:57:44 > 0:57:45I've had this season so far.
0:57:45 > 0:57:48They've entertained Her Majesty the Queen,
0:57:48 > 0:57:52found a new fan in Prince George...
0:57:52 > 0:57:55That was probably the best thing I've ever done in my entire life.
0:57:55 > 0:58:00..flown with the vintage aircraft that won the Battle of Britain.
0:58:02 > 0:58:05And all of this in just 48 hours.
0:58:12 > 0:58:16Next time, can the Red Arrows compete with the emotion of the Spitfires
0:58:16 > 0:58:20and Hurricanes for the Battle of Britain Memorial flight?
0:58:20 > 0:58:22No-one will be wanting to talk to us.
0:58:23 > 0:58:25And the stakes couldn't be higher.
0:58:25 > 0:58:28The RAF's elite pilots will be under pressure to deliver
0:58:28 > 0:58:31at the biggest air tattoo in the world.