Yorkshireman takes over at Red Arrows - with third of team from county

Squadron Leader Tom Bould has become the first Yorkshireman in at least a decade to lead the legendary Red Arrows.

The new "Red 1" admits the prospect of representing the UK and maintaining the reputation the RAF has set for more than half a century is daunting - but can't wait to get stuck in.

Training for the RAF Aerobatic Team’s 2021 season starts in the next few days and builds up until the first display in May.

The hair-raising stunts include two of the planes flying at each other at 800mph and passing each other 100ft apart and 100ft above the ground.

In a large formation they can be just six to eight feet apart and flying at 350 to 400mph.

The team members who also hail from Yorkshire are Beverley-born Flight Lieutenant Nick Critchell (Red 3), Flight Lieutenant Damo Green (Red 8) and Squadron Leader Steve Morris (Red 9) both from Sheffield.

The father-of-two, originally from Bradford, said: "Flying is addictive - the addictive part of it is the way we train, we are constantly striving for excellence. Every time we go flying we take it apart, the good and the bad bits and what didn't work.

"It is a constant pursuit for the perfection we are looking for."

The 39-year-old, who was educated at Woodhouse Grove School near Apperley Bridge, joined the RAF in 2005.

While studying for his degree in aerospace engineering at Manchester University, he completed his elementary flying training as a member of Manchester and Salford University Air Squadron.

Selected to operate fast-jets, he flew the Typhoon and was deployed to the Falkland Islands as well as exercises in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.

He was previously a Red Arrows team pilot between 2015 and 2017, and took part in tours, including a history-making visit to China.

He said: “I can remember being inspired by the Red Arrows as a child – the thrill of seeing this awesome, dynamic show of speed and teamwork. It really motivated me.

“That is what I’m most looking forward to now, to have this special opportunity to create a memorable display that will inspire yet more people, of all ages and backgrounds.”

Promoted to Squadron Leader, Tom has more recently been a flight commander on IV(AC) Squadron at RAF Valley, teaching the next generation of fast-jet pilots, using the Hawk T2 aircraft.

Sqn Ldr Bould said he was excited to return to the Red Arrows and represent the RAF and United Kingdom, both at home and overseas, over the next three years.

As Red 1, Sqn Ldr Bould will be primarily responsible for all aspects of the display, from running the training programme and creating and choreographing a new 20-minute aerobatic show, to leading the nine-aircraft.

He said: “The 2021 Red Arrows show will feature all the exciting elements you expect and enjoy from our displays – namely dynamic flying, world-class precision and, above-all, teamwork.

“I’ve already got plans for big, new formation shapes and other ideas to add – but I don’t want to give away too much, just yet.

“Training for next year gets underway in just a few days. This will involve a building block approach, gradually adding more complexity to our routines."

Sqn Ldr Bould paid tribute to his predecessor Sqn Ldr Martin Pert, whose three-year tour as Team Leader finishes at the end of this week.

There is intense competition to join the team, with normally 30 to 40 applications for the two or three new roles that come up each year.

Pilots must have at least 1,500 fast-jet hours and completed a frontline, operational tour before they can apply to join the Red Arrows.

The Red Arrows - which were formed in 1964 - have done nearly 5,000 displays, in 57 countries, to date and fly the BAE Systems Hawk T1 fast-jet.