canberraman Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 RKoAF Black Eagles The Black Eagles Aerobatic Team is making its first appearance at events in Europe. RAF Waddington was the opening show and first occasion for UK airshow goers to marvel at this fantastic display team. A mammoth logistical exercise has seen its aircraft air-freighted from Korea to Manchester Airport in Korean Airlines Boeing 747s, then transported by road to RAF Leeming where they were reassembled and test flown, before moving on to RAF Waddington. Officially the 239th Special Flying Sqn in the RoKAF, the team is collocated with the 8th Fighter Wing at Wonju AB near Hoengseong. The team flies the KIA T-50B Golden Eagle, an indigenous fighter designed in cooperation with the US firm Lockheed. Indeed from most angles the T-50 looks like an F-16 perhaps crossed with a BAe Hawk! Formed on 12 Dec 1994, with six Cessna A-37B Dragonflys, the team lasted until 2007, before being disbanded temporarily pending the arrival of the new T-50 Golden Eagle which was delivered in 2010. Eight Golden Eagles are flown by the team with two aircraft as airspares. Their display consists of no less than 30 manoeuvres and they have 3 aerial routines depending on weather conditions. With the power of a modern jet fighter, the display reminds me of the best of the USAF Thunderbirds combined with the precision and panache of the likes of the Red Arrows. I was indeed fortunate to spend part of the Waddington weekend in the company of the Black Eagles pilots and support staffs where I managed to obtain a number of the accompanying photos ‘airside’. Many would surely agree they were one of the start items at Waddington 2012. If you missed them they’re at Fairford for RIAT over the weekend of July 7th/8th. The 2012 RoKAF Black Eagles led by Lt Col Kin (second for left) Thanks for looking, c&c always welcome. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Good photos, my daughter saw them at Waddington and said they were excellent, I'm looking forward to them this weekend at Fairford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bri48 Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Brilliant photos....I wish I had known they were transported and assembled at Leeming, missed that one. Anyway I did manage to see them at Waddington and they were good. Do you know if they will be returning to Leeming after Fairford? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbuna Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Great shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie C Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Lovely set of shots Mark, you were very lucky to be able to see them up so close. I met one or two of the crews in the crowd and they seemed very friendly and welcoming even though English wasn't their strong point! The display was awesome, one of the best aerobatic demonstrations I've seen in a very long time. All the best AC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted July 4, 2012 Author Share Posted July 4, 2012 Gents Many thanks for the kind words. Hope some more of you get to see this fantastic display at RIAT providing the weather plays ball! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 They were the stars of the show, no doubt. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 Great shots! My favourite team used to be the Frecce Tricolori, but after Waddington, I have changed my allegiance to the Black Eagles! I am looking forward to seeing them again at RIAT (despite the weather forecast!) I bought the Academy 1/48 kit of the T-50, which looks really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 I bought the Academy 1/48 kit of the T-50, which looks really good. Does it come with the black eagles decals? Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 (edited) Yes, the only decals are for the Black Eagles. They don't look too scary, either!! Edited July 4, 2012 by Alpha Delta 210 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 WOW !!! I was there on Sunday and they were MAGNIFICENT.. Your shots are AMAZING.. COOL ......!! Thanks for sahwing them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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