Today is the opening day of the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed, and it’s not uncommon for cool visitors. This year, it was the Royal Air Force aerobatics team The Red Arrows. I was caught by surprise when they flew over, but was genuinely pleased that the photo came out at all!

The Red Arrows were formed in late 1964 as an all-RAF team,  replacing a number of unofficial teams that had been sponsored by RAF commands. The Red Arrows badge shows the aircraft in their trademark diamond nine formation, with the motto Éclat, meaning “brilliance” or “excellence”.

The first display by the Red Arrows was at RAF Little Rissington on 6 May 1965. The display was to introduce the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team to the media. However, the first public display was on 9 May 1965 in France, at the French National Air Day in Clermont-Ferrand. The first public display in the UK was on 15 May 1965 at the International Air Fair at Biggin Hill.

(history from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).