Scrapping of the Red Arrows

A couple of years ago the US equivalent the Blue somethings (I forget their name)flew a display that had everyone in the VIP stand whooping and clapping and cheering like school boys. Then the Red Arrows flew. At the end of the arrows display there was a mass standing ovation. I have a an old school friend who flew two tours with the Arrows and then became their ground manager so I guess he will be gutted. They are/were the very best in the world and will be greatly missed.

Angels

quote:

Originally posted by rgame666:
Angels

Ah yes. Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by acad tsunami:
A couple of years ago the US equivalent the Blue somethings (I forget their name)flew a display that had everyone in the VIP stand whooping and clapping and cheering like school boys. Then the Red Arrows flew. At the end of the arrows display there was a mass standing ovation. I have a an old school friend who flew two tours with the Arrows and then became their ground manager so I guess he will be gutted. They are/were the very best in the world and will be greatly missed.

It may be a trivial thing to say, but I'm delighted that Acad and I agree on something!
James

I have seen the Red Arrows on several occasions and always have been fearing the inevitable - but relieved that it has not happened.

The reason why the government wants the Red Arrows scrapped is that the display gives an impression that events and procedures in the UK work to absolute perfection. Whereas we all know that most if not all other "things" touched on by the government is an unmitigated disaster.

Shouldn't even be an argument.

It's not that expensive, they'd still need the pilots and the Hawks.

They've made more people feel better than the NHS.

I suspect they've attracted countless numbers to join the forces and so gain employment and learn something about life, the universe and everything.

The 'trickle down' effect in learning and skills, pride in accuracy etc. pointed out earlier is huge.

Not so popular, but I bet they've helped sell f*ckloads of arms overseas, generating direct income.

They certainly are representative of Image GB and a lot prettier than the Queen.

They're extremely entertaining and I like to see something that is clearly incredibly skillful only possible because of the demanding efforts put into it by those that matter, whether it's the Arrows, Ferrari F1 or Strictly Come bloody Dancing.

I have signed this petition.

A couple of weeks ago, I signed a petition against declaring airfields "brown-field" sites for planning purposes. John Prescot had previously agreed to exlude this provision from a planning bill, but the words were included in the draft bill anyway. The petition was to get him to remove the provision and to honourably keep his word. He didn't. ie the petition was ignored.

The petition against proposed road tolls apears to have been more successful, but that attracted over a million signatures.

10 Dwoning Street Petitions seem to be having mixed fortunes at present.

I doubt if the Red Arrows will attract a million signatures, so signing this petition is simply not enough. If you feel strongly about this, lobby your MP and write to Government.

I am not a fan of Gordon Brown and I don't trust him. He is a narrow-minded, penny-pinching, control-freak, who would rob you of your pension as soon as look at you. This proposal is about as useful as the junior office accountant's proposal to introduce cheap stationery and limit its availability to improve "efficiency".

All the comments above concerning national pride, UK military flying pride and the operational benefits that devolve from that, recruitment, International diplomacy, etc are totally valid reasons why this proposal should be overturned.

Cheers

Don

quote:

Originally posted by Fredrik_Fiske:
Bruce! That makes two so far! Fredrik

Three

quote:

I have got Firefox now

So, the poles did buy Mig 31 Firefox?

As we are speaking of military aircrafts with a Brittish twist.

JohanR

Skol, Johan! Fredrik!!

Four

Should leave them alone. More pointless tokenism. Other stuff more important.

Well Mr Brown has taken some 5 Billion pounds per year from our pension funds - (and now wants us to work till we are two weeks before death).
My guess is that he needs some loose change for his pockets, so the Arrows have to go.

Have signed, but can't see them being saved. I have seen them every year (sometimes twice) for longer than I care to remember. They are very real and tangible ambassadors for the UK.

5
I have seen them countless times at least once a year. Also they perform all over the world and quite often "win" the world championship.
Can you imagine the US giving up their display team Blue Eagles.

Are the Frecce Tricolori(Italy) and La Patrouille de France still going? I suspect the question is yes and that they would be one of the last things their countries would give up.

Still we have sold or given everything else up, perhaps a Honda sponsored Japanese display team can replace the Red Arrows and represent British industry too.

Howard

When the Hawks need replacing, soon I should think, is there a British replacement for them?

I am not certain, but I thought that BAe were still producing Hawks. If so, that shouldn't be a problem.

Cheers

Don

Another e-mail from the PM that probably will not get as much coverage as his last one. I thought it might start "Hi Mate", but never mind

"Thank you for signing the petition on the No.10 website calling for the maintenance of the Red Arrows. It is a sign of the place they hold in the national affections that so many people have joined you in signing it - one of the highest numbers since the e-petition service began. That's why I wanted to reply personally. It's also why I am replying before the petition officially closes, in order to reassure people who are clearly concerned.

I am pleased to be able to give you good news. There are no plans to change the funding for the Red Arrows, let alone to disband them.

It is important, of course, that the MOD looks at the full range of its spending plans as part of its routine financial planning, to ensure that taxpayers' money is spent where our Armed Forces most need it. Obviously it is this review which prompted fears that the Red Arrows might be scrapped.

However, like you, the Government recognises just what an important role the Red Arrows play in our national life. As the world's premier aerobatic team, they have thrilled millions of spectators over many years. I was lucky enough to see their extraordinary skills myself only last year at the Farnborough Air Show.

More importantly, the Red Arrows have maintained public support for the Royal Air Force, encouraged recruitment, acted as ambassadors for Britain in the world and promoted British industry for many years. So I am pleased to assure you that this government fully intends to keep the Red Arrows flying.

Thank you for signing this petition, and I hope you get a chance to see the Red Arrows yourself soon.

Yours sincerely,
Tony Blair"

I was more shocked amazed and disgusted that Gordon removed the 10p tax rate and lowered the 22% rate. Talk about taking from the poor to feed the rich!

As a higher wage earner I am going to be about £130 better off per year. I would have far preferred it if he'd raised the 10p limit and upped my 22% bracket to 23%. I can't understand how anyone lives on average or less than average wages in the UK nowadays.

Dear Frank,

Take it from me, it is impossible.

I resigned in disgust from a job paying £5:50 an hour after twelve years with the company. Bless him, Don Atkinson suggested that I eat my pride and ask to go back! I was on £5 in 1994! No way.

The work-place is getting very difficult, with no respect at all for the "Indians," but I have had a couple of ideas on how to avoid being someone else's "Indian" in future, and be my own "Chief!"

More another time...

Unemployment is not funny, but then neither is having the "Micheal" taken daily at work by unscrupulous bosses. And then that bloody man Brown does what he did with the 10 pence tax bracket! Inexcusable for a Socialist to do that, I am afraid, and frankly anyone who promises to vote labour next time is going to face a stiff grilling on the reasoning from me!

If they are Socialists, then they are "Champaigne Socialists!"

Kindest regards from Fredrik

quote:

Bless him, Don Atkinson suggested that I eat my pride and ask to go back

Bless,

My advice was, don't resign in the first place until you have found a better job. And secondly, your company actally said you hadn't left and assumed you would go back. My advice was to go back until you found a better job. So, no need for you to eat humble pie and ask! And that was after you had left them for about 4 weeks ISTR!!!!

However, I do agree with you and Frank that Gordon's last budget was botched. But then, so was his first.

I am less enthralled at the prospect of Gordon in charge than Tony........frying pan and fire seems to ring a bell

But its good news about the Red Arrows - I got my "personal" reply today from Tony....looks remarkably like SteveGa's.

Cheers

Don

I,ve just spoken to my mate who is an airframe engineer on the reds and he knows nothing about the disbandment. Typical. RAF always last to know.What next, the Roll Royce being sold to foreign bidders?

Dear Don,

I am really looking forward to Brown being PM: It will finish the Labour Party for longer than Thatch finished the Tories. What a lovely idea!

ATB from Fredrik

quote:

I am really looking forward to Brown being PM

Does he have 2 years or is it three? I can't recall

Cheers

Don

Dear Don,

Neither do I, but three years would guarantee even longer in the wilderness, but serious and irreversable damage could be done in that length of time.

It is nice as a non-Socialists to see them stuck on this. I am all for a Socialist Gov't now and again, if that is what actually emerges, but this lot are even more self serving than any Gov't since that led by Lloyd George. Do they get the knives out and have a full blown election for leader or sweep the division this would cause under the carpet?

I am sure that the situation of division if they ditch Brown would be better for the Party in the medium term, as I think they are bound to fail at the next General Election in any case, but the damage would be less with the public.

If Brown gets in it is fantastic news for the Liberals and Tories. I bet you can't really guess what my fundamental allegance is, but I have voted for both of these in the past. In Herefordshire it used to be a two horse race between Tories and Liberals...

It was always a pleasure to read that the Socialist had lost his deposit in those days.

Kindest regards from Fredrik

No 10 says the Red Arrows aren't being disbanded.Largest sign up to an e-petition apparently.

Howard