The Red Arrows formed in 1965.

The name 'Red Arrows' was chosen to combine the appeal and expertise of two earlier teams, the Black Arrows and the Red Pelicans.

From 1966, nine jets would fly together in displays from time to time from 1966, but it wasn't until two years later that they formally became a nine-strong team.

Although the Diamond Nine that everybody knows and loves today was not a new formation, through the Red Arrows it came to represent the pinnacle of quality flying. It was then registered as an official trademark.

The first display with nine pilots was in July 1966 for the benefit of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

In 1979 they switched from Folland Gnats to the BAE Systems Hawk T1, which flies to 48,000 feet.

All nine display members, plus their road manager 'Red 10', are fast jet pilots from front-line RAF squadrons. After completing a three-year tour with the Red Arrows, they return to the front line, instructional or staff duties.

The team have been based at RAF Scampton, in Lincolnshire since 2001 and fly to all their displays. There are three types - full, rolling and flat - at different heights.

Running the Arrows requires a team of around 90 people from engineering technicians and photographers to drivers and administrative staff.

Then there's the 'Circus', a small team of nine technicians and the Junior Engineering Officer, who fly in the rear seats of the Hawk to display locations.

The Arrows support more than 500 charities a year.