THEIR famous formation one plane short, the Red Arrows took to the skies for the first time since the tragic death of Flt Lt Jon Egging.

They performed a 35-minute long practice display over their base at RAF Scampton at Lincolnshire yesterday.

The right hand side of the Diamond 9 formation, once occupied by Flt Lt Egging’s plane, Red 4, was left empty as the eight other Hawk T1s carried out precision manoeuvres.

The team hopes it may be possible to renew displays this year as an eight.

Flt Lt Egging, 33, died when his jet crashed into a farmer’s field near Throop Mill during the Bournemouth Air Festival on Saturday, August 20.

He will be buried in a private ceremony at his home village, St Mary the Virgin church in the village of Morcott.

The investigation is being carried out by the Military Air Accident Investigation Branch.