Soon the Union Jack will be banned...

[Gordon B]

My dad (38 years in the RAF) is rightly incensed by this.

Please sign the petition before we lose our identity altogether..

Subject: BANNING OF RED ARROWS FOR 2012 OLYMPICS - PLEASE SIGN
The world-famous Red Arrows have been banned from appearing at the
2012 London Olympics because they are deemed 'too British'.

Organisers of the event say that the Arrows military background
might be 'offensive' to other countries taking part in the Games.

The display team have performed at more than 4000 events worldwide,
but the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the
display team 'too militaristically British'.

Red Arrows pilots were said to be 'outraged', as they had hoped to
put on a truly world class display for the Games, something which
had never been seen before.

Being axed from a British-based event for being 'too British' is an
insult - the Arrows are a symbol of Britain .

The Red Arrows have been excellent ambassadors for British overseas
trade, as they display their British-built Hawk aircraft all over
the world.

The Arrows performed a short flypast in 2005 when the winning bid
was announced, but their flypast at the Games was to have been truly
spectacular.

It is to be hoped that common sense prevails, so if you disagree
with this decision, please sign the petition on the link.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows2012/

[21QUEST]

Have you got a more reliable source than that site ? ;)


Ben

[gettin2dizzy]

twaddle


London 2012 has responded to reports that the Red Arrows have been banned from the Opening Ceremony of the Games, describing the rumours as 'utter nonsense'.
The London 2012 Organising Committee will decide what to include in all celebrations and they will be a showcase of the best the UK has to offer. But with five years to go, decisions are yet to be made on what the celebrations will look like.

The Red Arrows have in fact been used before in connection to London and the Games. They did a spectacular fly over of Trafalgar Square in London to celebrate winning the bid in July 2005, and also flew over the Mall when the Athens Torch Relay was in London in 2004.

The DCMS and the Red Arrows themselves also released statements refuting the claims about the ban.


http://www.london2012.com/news/archive/2007-10/no-truth-in-red-

[21QUEST]

twaddle


http://www.london2012.com/news/archive/2007-10/no-truth-in-red-

"Page not found"......you losing your touch man :rolleyes: ;)


Ben

[Viney]

I cant stand the red arrows. Boring Boring Boring. Great 1st time you see them as small child, after that boring.

I dont want the olympics. A total waste of tax payers money for what? 2 weeks of athletics that could be held at any one of the sports centres around the UK that could just get spruced up!

[Luckypants]

I cant stand the red arrows. Boring Boring Boring. Great 1st time you see them as small child, after that boring.

I dont want the olympics. A total waste of tax payers money for what? 2 weeks of athletics that could be held at any one of the sports centres around the UK that could just get spruced up!

But it HAS to be in London, centre of the universe you know.

Try this link

http://www.london2012.com/news/archive/2007-10/no-truth-in-red-arrows-rumour.php

[gettin2dizzy]

"Page not found"......you losing your touch man :rolleyes: ;)


Bena long time ago!
:smt028

[kwak zzr]

they should use 10 euro fighters instead.

[pencil shavings]

they should use 10 euro fighters instead.

with 4 of the 5 flight computors turned off for extra levels of entertainment!

\\:D/

[Blue_SV650S]

I think Britten has moved on from things like 'the red arrows' ... sure great in its day, but so 20th century :rolleyes:

Ground them permanently and stop wasting my heard earned tax payers money and precious fuel (including all the diesel that produces the smoke) on show boating!! :compcrash:

[Flamin_Squirrel]

I think Britten has moved on from things like 'the red arrows' ... sure great in its day, but so 20th century :rolleyes:

Ground them permanently and stop wasting my heard earned tax payers money and precious fuel (including all the diesel that produces the smoke) on show boating!! :compcrash:

:shock::shock::shock::shock::shock:

Heathen!

[ogden]

I think Britten has moved on from things like 'the red arrows'

Classical composer? Aerobatic pilot? So many strings to one bow!

The Red Arrows are still very good at what they do. I saw them last year at Fairford along with the USAF Thunderbirds team, and the latter were dismal in comparison (even ignoring all the hyper-patriotic "this flypast is dedicated to our troops in Iraq" cobblers).

[Blue_SV650S]

Classical composer? Aerobatic pilot? So many strings to one bow!

The Red Arrows are still very good at what they do. I saw them last year at Fairford along with the USAF Thunderbirds team, and the latter were dismal in comparison (even ignoring all the hyper-patriotic "this flypast is dedicated to our troops in Iraq" cobblers).

My statement is not a reflection on how 'good' they are. I am sure they are as skilled/good as they ever were. Its just not needed, worse than that, in this time of high taxes and fuel prices, wastefull!! :thumbdown:

[ogden]

My statement is not a reflection on how 'good' they are. I am sure they are as skilled/good as they ever were. Its just not needed, worse than that, in this time of high taxes and fuel prices, wastefull!! :thumbdown:

I'm sure you use your trackbike for essential journeys only.

Really, those in glass houses...

[Ceri JC]

Classical composer? Aerobatic pilot? So many strings to one bow!

PMSL! (especially given your username) :D

[Ceri JC]

I'm sure you use your trackbike for essential journeys only.

Really, those in glass houses...

Not that I necessarily agree with Blue that they shouldn't fly anymore, but he could argue the taxpayer doesn't pay for his trackbike.

[Blue_SV650S]

Not that I necessarily agree with Blue that they shouldn't fly anymore, but he could argue the taxpayer doesn't pay for his trackbike.

Indeed, I agree my trackbike is a waste of resource (but then so is the electricity to enable me to type this message ;)) but at least the tax payer isn't picking up the bill for my trackday!! :rolleyes:

I am not saying ditch the RAF, but ditch the Red Arrows!!

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Indeed, I agree my trackbike is a waste of resource (but then so is the electricity to enable me to type this message ;)) but at least the tax payer isn't picking up the bill for my trackday!! :rolleyes:

I am not saying ditch the RAF, but ditch the Red Arrows!!

There are many things we could do to save tax payers money. Stop handing money out to degenerates, or fire half the civil service for instance. Both would save a fortune.

There are few things that generate a bit of British pride, and the Red Arrows do so for a cost that in the grand scheme of things is a drop in the ocean.

Getting rid of them wouldn't save any significant money - it would just make us look cheep.

[the_lone_wolf]

it would just make us look cheep.
somebody call me?

http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/Images/Embryology/Photos/4_2002/chick1.jpg


a rare slip;)

[Ed]

I was delighted to see the flag of St George flying in Liverpool yesterday. I mean, as opposed to the Union Jack. I personally think that if the Scots want independence, we should respect their wishes. And the Welsh, too.

[Blue_SV650S]

There are many things we could do to save tax payers money. Stop handing money out to degenerates, or fire half the civil service for instance. Both would save a fortune.

There are few things that generate a bit of British pride, and the Red Arrows do so for a cost that in the grand scheme of things is a drop in the ocean.

Getting rid of them wouldn't save any significant money - it would just make us look cheep.

How much does it cost in wages, airframe hours/repairs/maintenance and fuel to fly 10 (inc spare) red Arrows about?? ... I think you are under estimating the costs.

But yes, we could axe so much wastage of tax money that is being fed elsewhere! Most of which I have to say get my back up more than the Red Arrows thing. ;)

[tactcom7]

they should use 10 euro fighters instead.

The day they get 10 Eurofighters serviceable in one go i'll eat my beret!

[Flamin_Squirrel]

How much does it cost in wages, airframe hours/repairs/maintenance and fuel to fly 10 (inc spare) red Arrows about?? ... I think you are under estimating the costs.

A couple of million quid maybe, not that much.

[Ed]

A couple of million quid maybe, not that much.


From the RAF website:

'
The Red Arrows have a budget of £5.5 million for the financial year 2007-08, with additional aircraft support costs of around £0.7 million. However the Royal Air Force already has the pilots and the aircraft, and it is felt that the costs that are incurred by the Red Arrows are far outweighed by the advantages accruing from the Team’s appearances.
The additional costs of sending the Red Arrows on overseas tours such as the Middle and Far East Tour in 2007 were entirely borne by British companies. The Ministry of Defence takes the line that British tax-payers should not bear the cost of overseas tours which are primarily to promote British industry. However it is happy for the Red Arrows to demonstrate the “Best of British” overseas when commercial sponsorship can be found. '

So total cost is £6.2m.

Worth every penny IMHO:D

[the_lone_wolf]

Worth every penny IMHO:D

:thumleft:

[Tiger 55]

So total cost is £6.2m.
Yeah, but about £6m of that is pilot's wages and you have to pay them anyway so it's really only a couple of hundred grand :D