FRADU Hunter Gallery E, part 1

The Blue Herons photographed as they taxi out for their debut display at RNAS Yeovilton back in September 1975.
The lead aircraft that day was XF977/865 with Derek Morter at the helm.
The No.2 that day was Godfrey Cornish-Underwood in WT804/831.
The other two pilots in the offices of the remaining aircraft were Gerry Gosnell as No.3 and Pierre Cadoret as No.4.

We all know where the team went from here ... read on!


[© Richard Wilson]	[© Richard Wilson]

As said above four Airwork pilots of the FRADU formed the Blue Herons team in 1975. They were the first team in the world to form a team of military aircraft flown by civilian pilots. The name Blue Herons came from the pilot's different RAF and RN backgrounds, which are mainly light or dark blue and HMS Heron. After the team debuted at Yeovilton in September 1975 they continued to fly at displays until the end of the 1980 season when the team was disbanded. The leader of the Blue Herons, Derek Morter sent me some pictures of the Blue Herons. They can be found here and here.


[© Peter R. March]	[© Peter R. March]	[© Peter R. March]

Looking up at the formation of Blue Herons Hunters. Closest to the camera in the first far left and right images is GA.11 WT804, a regular member of the team. In the middle image shows the team rolling right in the box formation in GA.11's WT806/838, WV267/836, WT804/831 and XE668/832.


[© Peter R. March]	[© Peter R. March]	[© Peter R. March]

More air-to-air Blue Herons shots from Peter R March's archives, with all three formations having different combinations of aircraft! The first in the swan formation has WT806/838 leading, with WV267 no.2 and WT809/867 and XE682 as no.3. Middle shot shows the team in the "box" comprising of PR.11 XF977/865, and GA.11's XE682/835, WT806/838 and WW654/833. Lastly in the swan are GA.11's WT804/831, WV267/836, WT806/838 and XE682/835.


[© Mike Hall]	[© Mike Hall]

The Blue Herons are photographed here practising their display at Greenham Common in 1977. Firstly on the left are the team's aircraft on the ground awaiting for their practice display and on the right is the team taking off for a practice.

[© Mike Hall]	[© Mike Hall]	[© Mike Hall]
	[© Mike Hall]

Three shots of the Blue Herons in the middle of their display routine practice

[© Mike Hall]	[© Mike Hall]

Here are some shots of the Blue Herons at the end of their display, carrying out their traditional formation landing.


[© Hugh Trevor]	[© Hugh Trevor]	[© Hugh Trevor]

The first two of the three photos shown above were taken at Hugh Trevor at the International Air Tattoo 1977, where the Blue Herons won the Shell UK trophy for best aerobatic team performance. The third image shows the team performing at RAF Waddington's 1979 Air Day. For this commitment the team operated out of RAF Scampton, and comprised WV267/836 leading flown by Derek Morter, WT804/831 as No.2 piloted by Mike Todd, No.3 was Brian Grant in XE682/835 and Martin Holloway was the No.4 flying WT806/838.

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[Hunter GA.11's "830" to "838"]	[Royal Navy Hunter T.8M's]
[Hunter GA.11's "860" to "868"]	[Blue Herons display team]
[Hunter T.8C's "869 to "880"]	[Blasts from the past]
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