Banter: RED ARROWS

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RED ARROWS

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Banter
Forum Discription: For all those non-sailing related discussions
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3533
Printed Date: 19 Aug 25 at 1:17am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: RED ARROWS

Posted By: Stuart O
Subject: RED ARROWS
Date Posted: 26 Oct 07 at 9:39am

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.

Please sign this petition....

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ - http://petitions.pm.gov.uk /RedArrows2012/?ref=redArrows2012

Replies:

Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 26 Oct 07 at 10:02am

Link fixed below

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows2012/?ref=redArrows2012 - http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows2012/?ref=redArrows2012

... and of course signed ...

They wont back down; no-one liked the logo and they didn't care ...

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Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 26 Oct 07 at 11:17am

Signed.

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Paul
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D-Zero GBR 74

Posted By: lozza
Date Posted: 26 Oct 07 at 11:20am

Response from link:

The e-petition asking the Prime Minister to "to Allow the Red Arrows to Fly at the 2012 Olympics" is ongoing. This is a response in advance of the closing date from the Government

This allegation is not true. The Government has not banned the Red Arrows from the London 2012 Olympic Games. The organising committee of London 2012 will decide what to include in the Opening Ceremony and other celebrations - but with almost five years to go, decisions are yet to be made on what these will look like.

And of course the Red Arrows played a memorable role in the celebrations for 2012, when they flew over Trafalgar Square to mark London winning the Games.

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Life's a reach, then you gybe

Posted By: Stuart O
Date Posted: 26 Oct 07 at 11:41am

Having been a civil servant .... what the govermant spokesman says is C**P and the rumours are 99.999999999999999% accurate!!!!

Posted By: Worthy
Date Posted: 26 Oct 07 at 12:01pm

At last a petition we can all agree on

Posted By: JohnW
Date Posted: 26 Oct 07 at 2:36pm

From the Red Arrows site:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/index.cfm?storyid=66845B01-1143-EC82-2E376B2F89D95041 - http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/index.cfm?storyid=66845B 01-1143-EC82-2E376B2F89D95041

But sign up anyway just to make sure the Reds are there.

Posted By: Scooby_simon
Date Posted: 26 Oct 07 at 4:22pm

Originally posted by turnturtle

Of couse you guys are all assuming there will still be a Red Arrows Display Team by 2012....

I would imagine military policy, and its associated spending by implication, will feature heavily in general election manifestos... how many GE's before 2012, probably 2, if not 3??? I wouldn't be surpised if the pomp and circumstance of the british military is cut down to size a bit in the short term future.

More like 1 !

The thief in No 10 can wait a fair old while yet.

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Wanna learn to Ski - PM me..

Posted By: tack'ho
Date Posted: 10 Nov 07 at 5:40pm

Originally posted by turnturtle

Of couse you guys are all assuming there will still be a Red Arrows Display Team by 2012....

What pomp and circumstance? That's done as well as a proper military role not instead! The Reds are pretty safe, no government would want the public backlash from dumping them! Not that it hasn't been considered.

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I might be sailing it, but it's still sh**e!

Posted By: English Dave
Date Posted: 11 Nov 07 at 10:42pm

Fair one Tack'ho but lets look at the evidence:

The the Red Arrows aeroplanes each have two wings and ISAF have dropped any two-winged craft from 2012.
The aircraft's design dates from the late 60's, not unlike a certain Tornado.
The 'planes are called Hawks. The Hawk is a catamaran and, as such, not represented at 2012.
The Red Arrows are expensive in terms of equipment and running costs. Surely there is a windsurfing formation team that could do the same for less.
The Red Arrows do not have international appeal, being a UK class.
The Red Arrows have a top speed in excess of 30kts. Not unlike the formerly Olympic class catamaran.
Tornado is also the name of a fast jet, as is the F18 and F16. Hurricane and Spitfire are older designs. Aircraft carriers use a steam-Catapult (I admit that last one's a bit tenuous.)
There's no consistent youth development class for the Red Arrows.
Also when I was a kid, sailing at South Cerney SC, there was a bloke from RAF Kemble who was in the Red Arrows and sailed a D18.

Coincidence?

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English Dave
http://www.ballyholme.com - Ballyholme Yacht Club

(You'd think I'd be better at it by now)

Hurricane 5.9 SX
RS700

Posted By: hurricane
Date Posted: 11 Nov 07 at 11:01pm

hahah

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lifes to short to sail slow boats!

RIP Olympic Tornado 1976-2007

Posted By: ptcruiser
Date Posted: 12 Nov 07 at 8:45am

Posted By: Yachting4
Date Posted: 15 Nov 07 at 7:25pm

heh.