The RAF Red Arrows and USAF Thunderbirds display teams were joined by a formation of the F-22 Raptor Demo Team and the F-35 Demo Team.
On Thursday Aug. 22, 2019 the legendary Royal Air Force (RAF) Red Arrows flew in formation alongside the US Air Force (USAF) Thunderbirds for a historic aerial parade above Manhattan, along the Hudson River and over Statue of Liberty.
The six Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets in fact flew with the RAF aerobatic squadron at 9.30am.
The two display teams were joined by a formation of the F-22 Raptor Demo Team and the F-35 Demo Team – also of the US Air Force – during the fly-by.
According to Daily Mail, New Yorkers and other tourists were wowed by the iconic aircraft formations flying above the Manhattan skyline.
According to a Thunderbirds press release, six fighter planes flew over the Hudson River in Delta Formation in sequence with the 9-ship Red Arrows formation.
The Red Arrows left nine vapor trails that are produced by pumping diesel mixed with colored dye into the planes’ jet exhaust.
All of the planes can carry enough diesel and dye to create one minute of red smoke, one minute of blue smoke and about five minutes of white smoke during their displays.
After buzzing Manhattan, all aircraft followed the Hudson River down to Liberty Island before going back up the river.
Noteworthy the six F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters belonging to the US Navy Blue Angels display team were due to take part in the air parade as well, but due to operational requirements were not able to participate in the fly-by.
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force and Crown Copyright
