Black Cats (Royal Navy)

The Black Cats
The Black Cats in 2010
Active	2001–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy
Role	Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team
Size	6 aircrew and several support crew
Garrison/HQ	RNAS Yeovilton
Colours	Grey and Black
Aircraft flown
Attack helicopter	AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2

The Black Cats are the Royal Navy's helicopter display team. The team is composed of two AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2 anti-submarine and anti-shipping helicopters, with the aircraft and crews drawn from 825 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.

The team performs at airshows and other public events around the UK and Europe. They perform a display which mixes close formation, opposition and synchronised manoeuvres.

History

Lynx

The Black Cats were formed in 2001 and performed with the Westland Lynx. For their first three display seasons, the team was known as the 'Lynx Pair' - the "Black Cats" title was applied in 2004. The team's predecessors as the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team were "The Sharks", who used four red Westland Gazelle helicopters and disbanded in 1992.

The team won the Steadman Sword for the best British participant at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2003 and as "Les Chats Noirs" performed at the French Navy's 30th Anniversary of operating the Lynx at Lanveoc in Brittany.

2010

• Black 1: Lt Becky Frater^[1]
• Black 2: Lt Chris Chambers^[1]

2011

• Black 1: Lt Chris Chambers^[2]
• Black 2: Lt Dave Fleming^[2]

2012

• Black 1: Lt Dave Fleming^[3]
• Black 2: Lt Ian Brannighan^[3]

2013

• Black 1 (Lynx) - Lt 'AJ' Thompson^[4] previously Black 2 in 2009.^[5]

Lynx & Wildcat

Due to the transition within the Royal Navy from the Lynx HMA.8 to the Wildcat HMA.2, one of the Lynxes was changed to a AgustaWestland Wildcat.^[6]

• Black 1 (Wildcat): Lt Cdr Gary McCall
• Black 2 (Lynx): Lt Ian Houlston with Lt Frank Suter as observer

The 2014 season was the last year with the Lynx HMA.8.

Wildcat

During the 2015 season the team will be using only the AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2.

• Black 1 (Wildcat): Lt David Lilly
• Black 2 (Wildcat): Lt James Woods

2016

• Black 1: Lt Cdr David Lilly
• Black 2: Lt Chris Rebbeck

Gallery

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See also

• Blue Angels - the American Navy's flight demonstration squadron.
• Blue Eagles - the British Army Air Corps helicopter display team.
• Red Arrows - the British Royal Air Force aerobatics display team.
• Thunderbirds - the American United States Air Force air demonstration squadron.

References

1. "Black Cats display team's first female pilot at show". BBC News Online. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
2. "Chris takes the controls for anniversary of famous Lynx". Western Daily Press. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
3. "Black Cats helicopter team to get Bournemouth Air Festival crowds in a spin". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
4. "Royal Navy Lynx helicopters train on warship". Royal Navy. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
5. "Black Cats pilot looking forward to display at Yeovilton Air Day". Western Gazette. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
6. "The Black Cats: just as exciting as any plane". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 18 April 2015.

External links

Official website