SCOTLAND is to have its own Red Arrow.
The National Museums of Scotland has acquired a British Aerospace Hawk T1A, a plane which was flown by the Royal Air Force (RAF) Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.
The aircraft has been donated by the Ministry of Defence and it will go on permanent display at the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune.
It is the only Red Arrows Hawk on display in a UK museum.
Built in 1980, the aircraft was used by the Red Arrows from 1985 until 2012.
In the museum, it will sit alongside Concorde, an aircraft with which the Red Arrows displayed, including when Concorde and the Red Arrows flew in formation over Edinburgh on 1 July 1999 to mark the opening of the Scottish Parliament.
The newly acquired Hawk at the National Museum of Flight was the one flown on that day by the team leader, ‘Red 1’, Wing Commander Simon Meade who was today reunited with his aircraft.
Dr Gordon Rintoul, director of National Museums Scotland said: "The National Museum of Flight is home to one of the best and most varied aviation collections in Europe, and the iconic British Aerospace Hawk used by the famous Red Arrows is a terrific addition."
Aircraft manufacturer Hawker Siddeley (now BAE Systems) designed and built the Hawk as an advanced training aircraft for RAF fast jet pilots.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Steven Hillier, Chief of the Air Staff said: "The RAF in Scotland has excellent links with National Museums Scotland. In this, the RAF's 100th year, we seek to commemorate, celebrate and inspire.
"I can think of no better place than the National Museum of Flight for a Red Arrows Hawk to be displayed and help promote these themes.”
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