October 17, 2019 4.43 pm This story is over 53 months old

Emotional Red Arrows return after huge North American tour

It was the biggest tour in their history

The Red Arrows have returned home to RAF Scampton from their biggest ever tour in North America.

After covering over 22,000 miles and 74 days away, the pilots were welcomed back by their families at RAF Scampton on Thursday, October 17.

It was an 11-week tour which saw the Red Arrows visit more than 25 cities to promote trade between the UK and the US.

Over the Golden Gate bridge.

The Red Arrows performed their iconic shows over Niagra Falls, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and New York’s Hudson River.

Martin Pert, Red Arrows Team Leader, told The Lincolnite: “The tour has been absolutely phenomenal. We have flown over the most amazing landmarks.

“It sounds so trivial but it is the green grass of home that you look forward to. It’s flying over the city and seeing Lincoln Cathedral from 30 or 40 miles away.”

The Red Arrows over Manhattan.

The Red Arrows are back home.

The Red Arrows tour was designed to promote trade between the US and the UK by highlighting opportunities across business, education, and tourism.

Chris Lyndon-Smith, Red 8, will be leaving the Red Arrows in the next few weeks after six years in the cockpit but told The Lincolnite about how it felt to land back at RAF Scampton.

Red 8 will be leaving the team in the next few weeks.

He said: “It’s great seeing all the family here and the rest of the team. It’s a really nice feeling. I think that the tour has helped promote trade between the US and UK.

“The feedback we’ve had has been very positive. Without a doubt the Red Arrows have made a significant difference and hopefully, the country will benefit for years to come.”