Red 1 was in the lead .... Reds 4 and 6 in a 'V' behind him .... then me ... then Reds 5 & 7 in line astern
Honest - it was .....
Really ........
Let me explain ..... Yesterday I heard on local Radio that The Reds were coming down to Cornwall to do a fund raising Lands End to John O Groats (LEJOG) charity Vespa Scooter ride
Reds 1 to 10 would do it over 4 days together with 4 pilots from BBMF.
Thought no more of it - but today my wife and I had to take a day off to visit a special meeting organised by the National Autistic Society about our son - with regard to his future ......
Anyway we left home at 8.00 am got on the A30 and immediately - and by total coincidence - passed a Red Arrows Support 4 x 4 towing a motorbike trailer ...I was then busy explaining to my wife about the radio programme when lo and behold we came up behind 2 Red Scooters .... Riders wearing black motorbike jackets and the very distinctive white helmets with the famous red arrow logo over the top - on the back of the red arrow logo was the Reds formation number in white. So we passed 5 & 7 ...........(Zane Sennet & David Montenegro)
Straight after that is a very long set of road works - 2 lanes down to one for resurfacing - 50 mph average speed check. Just as we entered the road works I saw 3 more scooters in front of us..... Red 1 was in the lead (Ben Murphy) .... behind him side by side Reds 4 & 6 (Dave Davies & Paul O'Grady [possibly Mike Ling?])
Then there was me and then 5 & 7 caught up and were directly behind me
So for 3.8 miles today I WAS in a formation with the RED Arrows.
I was grinning from ear to ear .... as we went by after the roadworks I honked the horn and they all waved
Can anyone black cat that
LEJOG.....
Wheels in motion for Red Arrows charity Vespa challenge
Pilots from the world famous Red Arrows will be swapping their flying helmets for motorcycle helmets next week to complete a charity challenge that will take them from Land's End to John O' Groats.
The journey across the UK mainland would normally take little over an hour in their usual transport - the BAE Systems Hawk jet, however on red Vespa 125 S Scooters, it will take four days.
Joining the 10 Red Arrows pilots will be four members of another iconic aviation team, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, who will be accompanying them on their way from Cornwall to Scotland.
The group will be raising money for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, the Royal Air Forces Association, Help for Heroes, Whizz-kidz and Fly2help.
Red Arrows pilot Flight Lieutenant Mike Ling is organising the challenge.
Mike, 31, is a keen motorcyclist as well as a Royal Air Force pilot. He says: "I have always wanted to ride a Vespa from Land's End to John O' Groats so decided to do it at the end of our display season. The other pilots wanted to get involved as it's such a great opportunity to raise money for good causes."
He adds: "The forces charities are close to all our hearts but I am especially keen to help organisations like Whizz-kidz and Fly2help - especially as I've spent time in a wheelchair myself and appreciate the great work these charities do to help people get around and fulfil their ambitions."
Red Arrows Vespa Challenge Facts:
Vespa is lending the Team 14 Vespa 125 S Scooters for the challenge
Arai Helmets and Spada are providing the clothing
ICAP is funding the food, accommodation and fuel that will be required for the trip
The pilots' Compulsory Basic Training has been provided by the Airfield Motorcycle Training School in Grimsby
The challenge is being supported by the Get On campaign which raises awareness of safe motorcycling in the UK
10 Red Arrows plus 4 pilots from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will complete the route, supported by a small team from the 'Blues' - the Red Arrows world renowned engineering team
