 Some
of these guys have notched up around a thousand jumps.
 |
| David
Bailey |
I
met up with the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team ahead of one
of their many dramatic appearances, at Kemble Air Day.
There
are ten team members - each expert parachutists - and based at RAF
Brize Norton near Burford, close to the Gloucestershire border.
(Gallery 1: 17 pics)
(Gallery 2: 12 pics)
Hercules
C130
During
my visit to their training headquarters I was lucky enough to hitch
a ride in the huge Hercules C130 transporter plane, which the Falcons
use, more often than not, to get airborne.
Sadly,
on this occasion, the winds proved too high and unpredictable for
the boys in red and blue to leap into open air, and descend rapidly
to the ground in close formation.
That's
a rarity, apparently. This was only the second time it's happened
in the last couple of months.
Safety
first
But
safety comes first, even for these guys, some of whom have notched
up around a thousand jumps.
So
today they had to be content with returning to earth in the more
conventional manner - inside an aeroplane.
Dream
come true
I
admit it was a bit of a disappointment not to witness the full-blown
parachute display by the Falcons from above.
However
getting the chance to fly in a Hercules C130 was a dream come true.
Often
while I've been watching TV news reports from The Gulf I've watched
the huge transporter planes chugging across the skies, and wondered
what it's like inside.
Well
now I know.
It's
how I imagine the cargo hold of a passenger jet would be - fairly
sparse, and a bit drab; lots of grey metal and not a lot in the
way of home comforts.
But
it's totally functional, with room for almost a hundred troops to
sit all along the sides facing inwards, or on the middle aisle facing
out.
Smoke
trails
When
the Falcons do manage to get out of the plane the team's famous
non-contact canopy stack is a dramatic aerial display which involves
a split stack spiral.
It's
enhanced by smoke trails from each parachutist.
Finally the display ends with the Team landing in quick succession
one behind another into the drop zone which can be as small as 50
metres square.
So
a no-show for the RAF Falcons on this occasion but there are plenty
of other chances to see the team in action this summer.
Check
out their for
a list of appearance dates.
(Gallery 1: 17 pics)
(Gallery 1: 17 pics)
If
you would like to comment on this story get in touch at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
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The
RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team is world famous for its spectacular
aerial displays. ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Gloucestershire's David Bailey paid the team
a flying visit... 
