Black Cats (Royal Navy)
Encyclopedia
The Black Cats are the Royal Navy
's helicopter display team. The team is composed of two Westland Lynx
anti-submarine and anti-shipping helicopters, with the aircraft and crews drawn from No No. 702 Naval Air Squadron
based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.
The team performs at airshows and other public events around the UK and Europe. They perform a display which mixes close formation, opposition and synchronised manoeuvres.
The Black Cats were formed in 2001
. For their first three display seasons, the team was known as the 'Lynx Pair' - the "Black Cats" title was applied in 2004. The team's predecessors as the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team were "The Sharks"
, who used four red Aérospatiale Gazelle
helicopters and disbanded in 1992.
The team won the Steadman Sword for the best British participant at the Royal International Air Tattoo
in 2003
and as "Les Chats Noir" performed at the French Navy's 30th Anniversary of operating the Lynx at Lanveoc in Brittany
.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
's helicopter display team. The team is composed of two Westland Lynx
Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
anti-submarine and anti-shipping helicopters, with the aircraft and crews drawn from No No. 702 Naval Air Squadron
702 Naval Air Squadron
702 Naval Air Squadron is a naval squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It is currently based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. It is also the parent unit of the Royal Navy's Black Cats aerobatic Display Team.-Formation and WWII :...
based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.
The team performs at airshows and other public events around the UK and Europe. They perform a display which mixes close formation, opposition and synchronised manoeuvres.
The Black Cats were formed in 2001
2001 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 2001:-January:* January 31 – Two Japan Air Lines airliners – a Boeing 747-446 operating as Flight 907 and a Douglas DC-10-40D operating as Flight 958 – nearly collide over Suruga Bay, Japan, passing within 100 meters of one another...
. For their first three display seasons, the team was known as the 'Lynx Pair' - the "Black Cats" title was applied in 2004. The team's predecessors as the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team were "The Sharks"
The Sharks (Royal Navy)
The "Sharks" were the Royal Navy's Helicopter Display Team from 1975 to 1992. They flew four red Aérospatiale Gazelle helicopters, with aircraft and pilots drawn from 705 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall.-History:...
, who used four red Aérospatiale Gazelle
Aérospatiale Gazelle
The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...
helicopters and disbanded in 1992.
The team won the Steadman Sword for the best British participant at the Royal International Air Tattoo
Royal International Air Tattoo
The Royal International Air Tattoo is the world's largest military air show, held annually over the third weekend in July, usually at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom in support of The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust...
in 2003
2003 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 2003:-January:* January 8 – The Turkish Airlines Avro RJ100 Konya, operating as Flight 634, crashes in thick fog while on final approach to land at Diyarbakır Airport in Diyarbakır, Turkey...
and as "Les Chats Noir" performed at the French Navy's 30th Anniversary of operating the Lynx at Lanveoc in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
.
See also
- Blue EaglesBlue EaglesThe Blue Eagles are one of six professional helicopter aerobatic teams in the world, along with: Royal Navy Black Cats; Sarang of the Indian Air Force; Scorpion aerobatic team of the Polish Air Force; Rotores de Portugal and the Patrulla Aspa of the Spanish Air Force.-History:The Blue Eagles were...
- the British Army Air Corps helicopter display team - Red ArrowsRed ArrowsThe Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Scampton, but due to move to RAF Waddington in 2011...
- the Royal Air Force aerobatics display team.