Blue Eagles
Encyclopedia
The 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
.
by instructors at the British Army Air Corps centred at Middle Wallop
who practised in their spare time. One year later the team was permanently established with five Bell-47G3B1 Sioux
helicopters. Despite no official formation flying training from the army, the team achieved growing success and by 1974
they were including venues as far apart as the Channel Islands, Scotland and Germany. Nonetheless, the Army could not afford to maintain the Blue Eagles on a full-time basis and the team disbanded. Enthusiastic pilots at Middle Wallop were left to continue the team on their own time, and they kept the team and expertise alive. The team performed under a variety of names including the Eagles, Army Eagles, and Sparrow-hawks.
In 1982
the team briefly officially reformed as the Silver Eagles for the Army Air Corps' 25th anniversary. During this time the team flew the Bell/Augusta, the Aérospatiale Gazelle
, the Westland Lynx
, and the Westland Scout
helicopters and occasionally even incorporated fixed-wing aircraft into their displays.
1992
saw the Eagles equipped with four Lynx helicopters which amazed crowds with their unprecedented versatility and power. However the Army needed Lynx helicopters elsewhere and could not justify the expensive flying time for an unofficial team. Thus the team adopted its current configuration of four Gazelles and one Lynx in 1993
. The team experienced a strong resurgence and won the prestigious Wilkinson Sword at the Royal International Air Tattoo
. Following this success the team was allowed to return to the Blue Eagles moniker in 1994
, though the team is still composed entirely of volunteers.
In 2001 the team included the very first British female Military display pilot, Sgt Julie Wiles.
The team continues to fly out of Middle Wallop and its repertoire includes formation flying, loops, rolls, breaks, and many other standard aerobatic manoeuvres.
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
aerobatic teams in the world, along with: Royal Navy
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...
Black Cats
Black Cats (Royal Navy)
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....
; Sarang
Sarang
Sarang is the helicopter formation display team of the Indian Air Force.The team flies four HAL Dhruvs. The name Sarang is symbolic as it is the national bird of India. The team was formed in October 2003 and their first public performance was at the Asian Aerospace Show, Singapore, 2004...
of the Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
; Scorpion aerobatic team
Scorpion aerobatic team
Grupa Akrobacyjna Skorpion is an aerobatic demonstration team of the Aviation of Polish Land Forces, flying 4 Mil Mi-24 Helicopters, and one of very few helicopter aerobatic teams in the world...
of the Polish Air Force
Polish Air Force
The Polish Air Force is the military Air Force wing of the Polish Armed Forces. Until July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej...
; Rotores de Portugal
Rotores de Portugal
The Rotores de Portugal is a helicopter flight demonstration team created in 1976, operated by Esquadra 552 of the Portuguese Air Force out of Beja Air Base, Portugal...
and the Patrulla Aspa of the Spanish Air Force
Spanish Air Force
-The early stages:Hot air balloons had been used with military purposes in Spain as far back as 1896. In 1905, with the help of Alfredo Kindelán, Leonardo Torres y Quevedo directed the construction of the first Spanish dirigible in the Army Military Aerostatics Service, created in 1896 and located...
.
History
The Blue Eagles were formed in the spring of 19681968 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1968:- Events :* In the 1968 White Paper on Defence, the British Labour government announces that the Royal Navys aircraft carrier force will be phased out as soon as the United Kingdom has completed its withdrawal from Malaysia, Singapore, and the...
by instructors at the British Army Air Corps centred at Middle Wallop
Middle Wallop
Middle Wallop is the local name given to an area between the two Parishes of Over Wallop and Nether Wallop in Hampshire, England. As it does not have its own parish technically it does not exist, however road signs and maps make reference to the location and have done so since the 18th century,...
who practised in their spare time. One year later the team was permanently established with five Bell-47G3B1 Sioux
Bell 47
The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Based on the third Model 30 prototype, Bell's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946...
helicopters. Despite no official formation flying training from the army, the team achieved growing success and by 1974
1974 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1974:-January:* January 26 – The Turkish Airlines Fokker F28-1000 Fellowship Van stalls shortly after after takeoff from Izmir Cumaovası Airport in Izmir, Turkey, crashes, and catches fire, killing 66 of the 73 people on board.* January 30...
they were including venues as far apart as the Channel Islands, Scotland and Germany. Nonetheless, the Army could not afford to maintain the Blue Eagles on a full-time basis and the team disbanded. Enthusiastic pilots at Middle Wallop were left to continue the team on their own time, and they kept the team and expertise alive. The team performed under a variety of names including the Eagles, Army Eagles, and Sparrow-hawks.
In 1982
1982 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1982:-January:* January 8 - The Airbus A300 is certified, becoming the first wide-body airliner with cockpit accommodations for only two to be certified....
the team briefly officially reformed as the Silver Eagles for the Army Air Corps' 25th anniversary. During this time the team flew the Bell/Augusta, the 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...
, the 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...
, and the Westland Scout
Westland Scout
The Westland Scout was a general purpose military light helicopter developed by Westland Helicopters. It was closely related to the Westland Wasp naval helicopter.-Design and development:...
helicopters and occasionally even incorporated fixed-wing aircraft into their displays.
1992
1992 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1992:-Events:*The European Commission approves three new regulations to liberalize air travel within the European Union...
saw the Eagles equipped with four Lynx helicopters which amazed crowds with their unprecedented versatility and power. However the Army needed Lynx helicopters elsewhere and could not justify the expensive flying time for an unofficial team. Thus the team adopted its current configuration of four Gazelles and one Lynx in 1993
1993 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1993:- Events :* The 1,000th Boeing 747 comes off the production line 26 years after the first 747 was built.-February:* The Bolivian Air Force retires the last F-86 Sabre in service amongst the worlds air forces....
. The team experienced a strong resurgence and won the prestigious Wilkinson Sword 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...
. Following this success the team was allowed to return to the Blue Eagles moniker in 1994
1994 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1994:-March:* March 23 – Aeroflot Flight 593, an Airbus A310-304, is flying with unauthorized people – the pilots 16-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter – in the cockpit when the 16-year-old unintentionally disengages the autopilot...
, though the team is still composed entirely of volunteers.
In 2001 the team included the very first British female Military display pilot, Sgt Julie Wiles.
The team continues to fly out of Middle Wallop and its repertoire includes formation flying, loops, rolls, breaks, and many other standard aerobatic manoeuvres.
See also
- 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 world famous Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
fixed wing (plane) display team. - Silver Eagles, the United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
helicopter display team from 19721972 in aviationThis is a list of aviation-related events from 1972:- Events :* Early in the year, the United States introduces the Walleye II optically guided glide bomb into service, employing it in the Vietnam War. It becomes known as the "Fat Albert."-January:...
-19761976 in aviationThis is a list of aviation-related events from 1976:-January:*January 1 - Middle East Airlines Flight 438, a Boeing 720, aircraft over Saudi Arabia when bomb exploded in the forward baggage compartment, aircraft destroyed killing 81.-March:...
. - Black CatsBlack Cats (Royal Navy)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....
, Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe 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...
helicopter display team. - SarangSarangSarang is the helicopter formation display team of the Indian Air Force.The team flies four HAL Dhruvs. The name Sarang is symbolic as it is the national bird of India. The team was formed in October 2003 and their first public performance was at the Asian Aerospace Show, Singapore, 2004...
, Indian Air ForceIndian Air ForceThe Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
helicopterHelicopterA helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
display team