Red Arrows return at Chatsworth Country Fair - SLIDESHOW

EIGHT Red Arrows pilots got Chatsworth Country Fair off to a flying start on their first day of public performances since the death of one of their team-mates, writes digital editor Graham Walker.

SLIDESHOW: Press the play button to see a slideshow of the Red Arrows’ display over Chatsworth.

The aerobatics display team adapted their formations after the loss of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, 33, who died when his aircraft came down near Bournemouth Airport in Dorset last month after performing at an air show.

At Chatsworth Country Fair in Derbyshire the remaining pilots wowed crowds with dazzling formations, which were all the more poignant without Flt Lt Egging, Squadron Leader Graeme Bagnall, better known as Red 10, said before the show.

“It’s been a sad two weeks of course and without him in the formation there will be something missing,” he said.

“However, this is our chance to honour him and pay our respects to him with our flying.

“We think he would have liked us to have gone on to do that, that’s why it’s so important for us to keep going.”

Sqn Ldr Bagnall, who talked crowds through the display from his position on the ground in the grand arena at Chatsworth House, asked for a moment’s silence as the Red Arrows carried out their diamond formation, which would usually be a perfect diamond with Flt Lt Egging as the ninth plane.

He said the piece was dedicated to their fallen comrade and said he could still see him flying in his usual position.

Crowds applauded furiously as the team carried out the Cupid formation - where the planes form a heart shape in smoke trail and another flies an arrow through it - which Sqn Ldr Bagnall dedicated to Flt Lt Egging’s widow, Emma.

Earlier in the day the Red Arrows also displayed at the RAF Linton-on-Ouse Families Day in North Yorkshire.

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