The Red Barrows, Yorkshire 2017

The Red Barrows returned to active service in August 2017 First formed in 2002, this unique display team, based in Crayke, North Yorkshire and officially known as YO61 Squadron, last saw action in 2005. But after a 12 year absence on "special missions", the team was called back into action to appear at the Crayke Village Summer Fete, on 2nd September. Two of the original Squadron, Sqn Ldr Colin 'Red Max' Merritt and Flt Lt Eric 'von Bloodaxe' Watson, returned to train up a new team. The most exciting of the new recruits is Cold War veteran Martin Withers DFC, who achieved fame as the pilot of the Avro Vulcan in the 1982 Falklands conflict, and more recently as chief pilot of the 'Vulcan to the Sky' project. These were joined by Pilot off. John 'Bombadier' Binks, Flt Sgt John 'Jazzee' Zywica, and Flt Lt Pete 'Hurricane' Hodgson. The team have been trained and choreographed this year by Leading Aircraftswoman Dianne 'DeHavilland' Wright. This year's live performance helped to raise funds for local charities, including the village Defibrillator, a worthy cause that's close to the heart of everyone in the team!!