Red Arrows crisis as iconic display team running out of jets & RAF forced to raid old planes for parts
THE Red Arrows are running out of aircraft, The Sun can reveal.
The legendary RAF team has 13 working jets and may be down to six by 2028, which would end their trademark 'diamond nine' display.
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Britain's Red Arrows are running out of aircraft
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Their much-loved shows could end up being cancelled due to the ageing fleet
Credit: Bav Media
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They may be down to just six Hawk T1s by 2028
Credit: SWNS
Their fleet of ageing jets could see their much-loved shows being cancelled, sources claimed last night.
Their creaking fleet entered service in 1974 — and the factory that made spare parts closed five years ago.
Engineers have since been forced to cannibalise old planes to keep the best ones flying.
A source told The Sun: 'There are no two ways about it — the Red Arrows are running out of planes.'
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The number of working aircraft has dropped from 26 in January to just 17 today.
Four are in so-called deep maintenance, so just 13 are available to fly.
The massive G-forces in Red Arrows air shows, compared to other 'sedate' fly-pasts, rapidly reduces jet lifespan.
The source added: 'Planes can only fly so many shows before they need new parts.
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"So either they get new planes or they have to cancel shows.'
British solution
RAF chief
The Sun revealed in April that
Incredible moment Red Arrows jets soar over Buckingham Palace in stunning footage captured from inside the cockpit
But sources close to Defence Secretary
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The only UK contender is a concept plane called the Aeralis Advanced Jet Trainer.
What message does it send if the RAF can't even field nine trainer aircraft because our politicians can't make a decision on what to buy?
RAF source
An RAF source said: 'The whole point of the
'What message does it send if the RAF can't even field nine trainer aircraft, or can't perform a full season of shows because our politicians can't make a decision on what to buy?'
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RAF chief Sir Richard Knighton wants replacements 'as soon as possible'
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Just 13 of the jets are currently available to fly
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The G-force in Red Arrows' shows reduces the jets' lifespan
Credit: SWNS
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The Red Arrows fly over The Mall during the King's Coronation
Credit: Getty
The Hawk T1s are due to retire in 2030 while the Hawk T2s — which train RAF pilots — will go out of service in 2040.
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Ex-RAF Air Marshal Edward Stringer said pilot numbers have also been cut and warned the plane shortage is 'a symptom of a much bigger problem'.
An RAF spokesperson said last night: 'The Red Arrows will continue to use the Hawk to perform its much-loved displays each year.
"We continue to work closely with industry partners to ensure the fleet is maintained.'
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Hawk T1s compared to the Russian jets being considered
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
My trip inside ‘world Voodoo capital' that's become dark holiday hotspot for Brits who flock to watch grisly sacrifices
A MASKED goblin figure chases two unsuspecting tourists along the busy streets, shrouded in a long multicoloured cloak. A few feet away, a priest carries a goat, preparing to sacrifice its blood to 15 A Zangbeto 'goblin' guardian' chases tourists in the world's 'Voodoo capital' Credit: Kennedy News and Media 15 An altar appears to be covered in the blood of a sacrificed animal Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Voodoo dolls are used to cast love spells Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Brit tourist Keiran Brown poses with a snake around his neck after his visit to the Temple of Pythons Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Welcome to the Voodoo capital of the world: Ouidah, in Benin, West Africa. Here the 'goblin' guardians, known as the Zangbeto, roam the streets wielding wooden swords - ready to ward off evil in both the human and spirit world. Visitors flock to the tiny city, which has a population of 162,000, to Despite its lack of attention in most mainstream holiday brochures, 337,000 tourists are reported to have visited Benin in 2019 and the numbers are believed to be growing. These so-called ' Benin, for its part, is happy to welcome intrigued visitors, with priests charging for their guidance and private rituals, and public festivals and Voodoo events charging admission fees. Kieran, 30, from Sidcup, Kent, visited the country during his tour along Africa's coastline and recalls his nerve-racking encounters at local landmarks including the Temple of Pythons. Inside a sealed room at a religious sanctuary, locals worship snakes instead of fearing them, and Kieran encountered dozens of the creatures slithering around. Snakes are said to represent the Voodoo god Da, who is believed to bring fertility and life to its worshippers. The priest even put one around Kieran's neck but insisted the potentially deadly Inside the Voodoo capital of the world where masked 'goblins' chase tourists and dogs' heads are displayed on spikes Kieran tells The Sun: "There was a thick door, the guy opened it, and there were around 60 to 70 pythons. "He put them around our neck and they seemed pretty chilled. "I didn't feel any energy and I don't believe in that but the people in the town are heavy believers. "That's the most popular religion in that side of the world, there is more Voodoo than Christianity." 'Land of the dead' It's thought 60million people around the world practice Voodoo, which is believed to have originated in Ouidah and where around 60 per cent are said to be followers. Voodoo - known traditionally as Vodoun, or Vodún - was officially declared a religion in Benin in 1996, and the annual festival, on January 10, attracts worshippers from all over the globe. Followers believe spirits control both the human world and the 'land of the dead', with different deities relied on to protect everything from villages to trees and rivers. They not only worship them from small shrines in their homes but they also attend public and private rituals led by community priests, who can be male or female. Voodoo dolls are sold at markets and sellers even claim the infamous figurines are able to make people fall in love with you. Snakes are worshipped as gods and animal sacrifice - including that of dogs - is commonplace and is often part of Voodoo initiation ceremonies. Dark arts During his visit, Kieran also recalls his encounter with one of the striking Zangbeto. These oddly dressed, masked figures act as the unofficial police on the streets of Ouidah, and are believed to keep residents and the religion's witches and spirits in line. Their name itself comes from 'zan', meaning night, and 'gbeto' that refers to person or people - so translates to 'people of the night', although they now appear in daylight hours as well. Kieran said: "When we were there we were walking around and there was a man dressed up as a Zangbeto and people were trying to get close to him and he chased people. 15 Voodoo dolls on sale in the city of Ouidah Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Masks and preserved animal parts are sold on the street Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 The Voudoum festival takes place every January "We were walking through a street and he saw us. Because we were the only white people we stood out. "It was a man dressed up like a goblin, he had a thick mask on. "I can't explain it but he was dressed like a monster, people were running away when it came close. "People were trying to annoy it by running towards it and eventually it would snap and start chasing you, it seemed to be like a game, everyone was chanting." Temple of Pythons Ouidah is home to the religion's Mecca, The Sacred Forest, where trees are considered holy and capable of granting wishes. Due to the rituals of spells and sacrifices, parallels have been drawn to witchcraft, which was greatly feared in 13th to 15th century Britain and led to the execution of those accused of practising it. However, Voodoo is now recognised as a protected religious belief in Britain under the Equality Act 2010. And expert Viktor explains that Voodoo remains an everyday feature throughout Benin - visible on the streets and with most people's homes featuring aspects of the religion. 15 A statue representing past kings in the town of Ouidah Credit: AFP 15 Snakes are worshipped in the Temple of Pythons Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 A Voodoo priest rides a cow before the animal is sacrificed Credit: AFP Viktor, who is also a Voodoo artefact collector and runs The Viktor Wynd Museum in Hackney, East London, said: "Wherever you go in Benin, everyone has a Voodoo altar and everyone goes to the Voodoo priests. "Each person has one main Voodoo spirit that they serve. "People dressed as Zangbeto do these dances to regulate the spirit world and the world of the living. They're intermediaries with the other world. "There's always something happening so a few weeks before we go we'll WhatsApp the priests and get all sorts of interesting invitations. "There's Voodoo in the Caribbean and it's very underground but in Benin it takes centre stage. That's why people find it so interesting. "It's fought back against the dominance of Muslims and Christians, who have marginalised the religion in other parts of the world." Dark side of religion While tourists in Benin are offered goat meat and trinkets with animal heads, over the years Voodoo sacrifices have been linked to much darker occurrences across the world. Notoriously, in 2001, a young African boy's torso was found in the River Thames in London. His head, arms and legs had been removed. Police investigators at the time believed that the killing was part of a Voodoo ritual. It's believed the body part may have been in the water for up to ten days and tests showed he lived in West Africa shortly before his death. Police believe he was trafficked to the UK, specifically for the purpose of a sacrifice. One factor that linked the torso to Voodoo was it had been carefully dressed in bright orange shorts before being dumped. Police eventually discovered that the colour was seen as powerful and used in specific sacrificial spells by those who practised Voodoo. However, due to the state of the body when it was found and cops facing a wall of silence during their investigation, the mystery remains unsolved. While Benin is credited as being the origin of Voodoo, it has spread to neighbouring countries such as Nigeria, Togo and even the Caribbean. In Togo, Kieran visited the world's biggest Voodoo market, where he found skulls of various animals - including dogs. The traveller spoke to the local Witch Doctor, who said each skull has different properties and are often prescribed to cure illnesses. Kieran said: "That region of the world in particular, I went to the world's biggest Voodoo market in Toga, where you can buy every type of animal skull. "It was a bit creepy, we were walking and there was every skull you can buy. "We spoke to the Witch Doctor, he explained it's normal in this culture. When I posted a video people were horrified but they could be horrified with some of the things in Western culture. "There were Voodoo dolls and spells, he said it is possible to make another person fall in love with you, but I didn't believe it." 15 A Voodoo shrine in Benin Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Another Zangbeto in the streets of the city Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 The market sells macabre charms, skulls and animal skins Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Goat slaughter Every year on January 10 the Vodoun (Voodoo) Festival is celebrated across Benin and especially in the city of Ouidah, where practitioners gather to honour their spirits with sacrifices, dancing and singing. The festival begins with the slaughter of a goat to honour the religion's spirits. The blood is used as an offering to the spirits and the animals - such as chickens, goats, sheep and cows - are then cooked and shared amongst the worshippers. Despite experiencing the 'creepiness' of the voodoo market and rituals, Kieran would recommend Voodoo tourism to Brits who want to explore that part of the world. Meanwhile, Viktor is keen to share his passion for the area and religion with the world and invites those who are intrigued to his museum and to join his unorthodox holiday tours. 15 Viktor Wynd is a collector of Voodoo paraphernalia Credit: Gone With The Wynd 15 Viktor's museum houses an array of unusual artefacts and creepy curiosities Credit: Kennedy news and media
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Why Helena and Harry's shotgun trip to The Hideaway means Love Island's rediscovered its sex factor
CALL me a voyeur, but I'm a 40-year-old, married woman who is hot under the collar at the idea lust is back on Love Island. The Sun told yesterday how two of this year's intake Advertisement 6 Blonde cabin crew Helena Ford enjoyed a sleepover in the Hideaway Credit: itv 6 Semi-pro footballer Harry Cooksley is now coupled up with another Islander Credit: itv It's even juicier because - officially - both blonde cabin crew Helena Ford and semi-pro footballer Harry Cooksley are coupled up with other Islanders. Of course it helps that both are cut straight from the Barbie and Ken mould, with matching abs, glowing tans and designer locks. So when I heard from my source that the pin-up pairing had snuck away on Monday to That's not because I get my kicks watching twenty-somethings frolic in a Majorcan villa - honest, Mr Cross. Advertisement READ MORE ON LOVE ISLAND It's because it was the early sign of promise that sex might just be back on Love Island after years of celibacy. Bold choice too far Let me lead you astray, back to 2015 when the ITV dating series first plunged a group of youngsters into a luxury villa and encouraged them to find, ahem, love. The series' main characters were John Lee and Hannah Elizabeth, who weren't afraid to get down to it in the communal bedroom. Despite Michelle and Stuart, then Makosi and Anthony engaging in a public PDA on Big Brother in 2004 and 2005 respectively, such bold antics felt entirely new to TV viewers and split the nation. Advertisement Most read in Love Island Comment But nothing prepared the pearl clutchers for what happened a year on. The entire cast let rip, with eight couples going all the way - usually in the shared bedroom - which was all fun and games until ITV bosses took two specific editorial decisions too far. Love Island fans spot clue islander is 'faking' claim he has never shared a bed with a girl Beauty queen Zara Holland was stripped of her Miss GB title after having sex with Alex Bowen in the Hideaway in 2016. The judges were said to have been particularly offended by a scene which saw her visibly enjoying the act. Advertisement Then, another late night scene showed Emma-Jane Woodham on top of It was a bold choice too far - even after the 9pm watershed - and viewers rushed to Ofcom. That was the end of sex on Love Island as we knew it and from then on, execs took the decision to instead show a shaking bedside lamp or tangled pair of feet. And in recent years the Instagram career-focussed cast and media trained Islanders have abstained entirely. 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As the series celebrates its tenth anniversary, there's still some love left for the format - all 11 series have been streamed a whopping 2billion times to date on ITVX. Advertisement This year's up-for-it cast could prove to be the Viagra the series needs. 6 Harry and Helena were in the Hideaway boudoir just 56 hours after meeting 6 Love Island's Shakira and Blu sharing a kiss The dating show genre has upped its game in recent years, with Rylan Clark's Dating Naked asking its cast to find love entirely in the nude. Advertisement And 12 innocents even explored popping their cherries on Channel 4's Virgin Island. But will Helena and Harry end up regretting their private night? Zara Holland, now 29, crown for being Love Island's most talked-about bonker after her beauty pageant scandal in 2016. After the series, she said: 'I regret massively having sex on the show. Advertisement 'If I could turn back the clock, I would. 'I know I didn't do anything illegal, I was twenty at the time, there's nothing to be ashamed of but yes, you know, it was the biggest regret.' Montana Brown's relationship with Alex Beattie only lasted a couple of weeks when they left the villa. Love Island 2025 full lineup : A 29-year-old footballer with charm to spare. : A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. : A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. : A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. : A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. : International business graduate with brains and ambition. : A gym enthusiast with a big heart. : A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. Ben Hullbra : A model ready to make waves. : An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins. : A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. : A towering 6'5' personal trainer. : A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro : Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. : Beauty salon owner from Devon who runs 12 aesthetics clinics, boasting a famous clientele including former Love Islanders Departures : : Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. And Montana, now 29 and a mum of two, came to look back on their hour-long sex sessions during the 2017 series with regret. Advertisement She said: 'In hindsight, having sex on TV wasn't the best idea. My advice to the new hopefuls is not to do it. 'If I could have done it differently, I wouldn't have had sex. 'It's all everyone wants to speak about now.' While some regret having sex on TV just once, Kem Cetinay's remorse comes from the fact he had so much. Advertisement The 2017 series winner, now 29, spoke about his amorous stay in the villa with He said: 'Maybe I shouldn't have had as much sex as I did – maybe once or twice would have been enough. 'Now I've got a business and I've got staff, and if new recruits search for me, some of the first articles that come up will be about me having sex on TV.' There's plenty of Islanders who still love the fact they for lusty on screen. Advertisement It's as if people wanted me to be ashamed, but I'm not going to be. Megan Barton-Hanson Jess Shears, now 32, romped with Dom Lever on 2017's series and she reckons hooking up in the villa helped cement their relationship. They are now married with two children. She said: 'I don't regret having sex on TV as such, but it's a bit strange that the whole nation knows about it. 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The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Cruz Beckham post heartbreaking family snap after brother Brooklyn tells them he ‘wants no contact'
CRUZ Beckham has shared a throwback family snap amid the ongoing family feud between the Beckhams. The youngest son of David and Victoria appeared to be looking back at happier times in the family as he shared an old snap of the three brothers with their mum after she had just given birth to daughter, Harper Seven. Advertisement 5 Cruz has shared a throwback snap of his family amid the ongoing feud Credit: Instagram 5 The family are locked in a feud Credit: Instagram/victoriabeckham The snap, believed to be taken in 2011, showed the three boys beaming down the lens of the camera as they snuggled up to their mum. Victoria tenderly held her daughter in the heartwarming picture. Cruz's decision to upload the image is very telling amid ongoing tension in the family after Brooklyn decided he no longer wanted contact with his famous family. Cruz did not add any captions nor did he tag his family members in the snap. Advertisement Read More on the Beckham's Earlier today, it was revealed that Brooklyn is refusing to reply to messages amid the bitter feud, according to reports. The 26-year-old, who lives in LA has no desire to speak to his parents or siblings after only in the press, an insider has told . The sourced said: "Brooklyn told his family he wants no contact and he's not responding to those that try to connect.' However, a source close to Brooklyn denied this and said, "this seems to be another deliberate attempt to misrepresent the truth, and it only serves to distract from this honor being bestowed on Brooklyn's father." Advertisement Most read in Celebrity The Sun has contacted representatives for Brooklyn and the Beckhams for comment. England legend as part of King Charles' birthday honours. Peltz-Beckham's respond to reports of family feud It's a title he has coveted for some time and it means Victoria will be come Lady Beckham. David was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 after helping to secure the London 2012 Olympics. Advertisement But he was His finances were cleared by the taxman at least four years ago - paving the way for him to finally get the coveted honour. Just weeks ago we revealed how David and Victoria feel there might be no way to reconcile with their eldest child. , who was a no-show at David's star-studded 50th birthday celebrations last month, shared a video of himself and riding on his motorbike and wrote: 'My whole world. I will love you forever. I always choose you baby.' Advertisement Those close to A source added: 'It shows how much this situation with his family has escalated. 5 Brooklyn has cut all contact with his family Credit: Getty 5 Brooklyn has been going through a difficult time Credit: Getty Advertisement "It's very sad for everyone involved, especially 'This post was like a dagger to their hearts but they will always be there for Tensions became public when Brooklyn did not publicly acknowledge fashion designer . He then failed to show at any of His mum and dad have continued to acknowledge him on social media, but pals of Brooklyn and Nicola suggested that was for show. Advertisement The Sun revealed that the couple recently had 5 The timing of Cruz's post is very telling Credit: Instagram
