Both the RAF and RNAS have put together flying display teams since their inception, initially with squadron pilots performing aerobatics to show off the capabilities of their aircraft. After WW2 and the introduction of jet aircraft small teams were formed for the summer 'airshow season', usually from the highly experienced instructors of the flying schools and operational conversion units. Increasing complex and carefully choreographed formation flying displays routines were performed, complete with smoke trails and in 1950s the first formal RAF aerobatic team was recognised
The Central Flying School official team during the 1952 and 1953 seasons was named The Meteorites, the Gloster Meteor aircraft flying in their standard trainer colours. For the 1955 season 54 Squadron flew Hunters as the 'Black Knights' in 1955/56 and 43 Squadron (Hunters) the 'Fighting Cocks' in 1956. From 1955 111 Squadron had flown four Meteors as an unofficial team, but from 1956 formed the official RAF display team with four specially prepared Hunters, painted in black, the team being known as the 'Black Arrows'. The team increased from four to seven, then nine aircraft increaing to 16 during 1958 before performing a formation loop with 22 Hunters at the Farnborough airshow that year.
The Central Flying School retained a display team, flying as the 'Sparrows' with (piston engine) Provosts, later converting to the Jet Provost, through the mid-50s and forming the 'Redskins' for 1959.
92 Squadron provided the official display team for 1961, the 'Falcons' later 'Blue Diamonds' with 16 blue-painted Hunters, their routine including split formations. 74 Squadron, the 'Tigers' took over for 1962 with the supersonic Lightning and 56 Squadron the 'Firebirds' for 1962, their nine Lightnings receiving red spines, fins and tail leading edges, but escalating costs saw 1963 be the last year the RAF used front-line fighters for these formation flying displays and we return to the training units.
Based at Kemble, Gloucestershire the Central Flying School formed the 'Red Pelicans' aerobatic display team in 1960, with four Jet Provosts equipped with smoke generators. The next year the display team aircraft received a bright red paint scheme and the 'Red Pelicans' performed their display routine in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Norway in addition to UK airshows. At the same time No.4 Flying Training School at RAF Valley were flying five yellow-painted Folland Gnats as the 'Yellowjacks' and the basis of the future 'Red Arrows' came in 1964 when the two teams performed together.
The Red Arrows formed as the RAF official aerobatic display team in 1965 with seven specially-painted Folland Gnat fast jet trainer aircraft. This was the first dedicated RAF aerobatic display unit with pilots specifically selected for the team, rather than being volunteers from the pool of instructor pilots. The 'Reds' flew 65 displays in the UK, France, Italy, Holland, Belgium and Germany. Two additional reserve pilots were appointed for 1966, but displays continued to feature just seven aircraft, however the 'spare' pilots had to be able to fly any position in the display team and therefore had to be the most experienced and capable pilots, who quickly became disillusioned with their lack of flying time! The first full 9-aircraft Red Arrows display was in July 1966 for HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, paving the way for the Reds' famous 'Diamond Nine' formation. While not a new manouvre the Red Arrows perfection in the execution of the Diamond Nine has been registered as the teams' official trade mark.
The Red Arrows transitioned to the new RAF fast jet trainer aircraft the British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk over the winter of 1979/80. Since the first season with the Hawk in 1980 the Red Arrows have flown display tours in 52 countries throughout Europe, the USA and Canada, the Middle and Far East, Africa, Australia and the former Soviet Union. The 4000th display flown in the Hawk was at RAF Leuchars Battle of Britain Airshow, September 2006 and 2014 marks the 'Reds' 50th display season.