Bahrain Airshow: Saudi Hawks demo at show

The Royal Saudi Air Force's (RSAF) official demonstration team, the Saudi Hawks, is at the show, revisiting the scene of its first appearance outside Saudi Arabia in February 2000.
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Formed in 1998, the team is equipped with Hawk Mk.65s, which can produce a single colour of smoke. The last six Hawk Mk.65As have an enhanced smoke capability, with provision for a pod identical to those carried by the RAF’s Red Arrows Hawks, and capable of producing three colours.

 

The Saudi Hawks participated in the 2003 Dubai Airshow and subsequently displayed at Al Ain in 2004 and 2005 (winning consecutive gold awards) and then returning in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

 

The team has some signature moves, including drawing maps in the sky and the ‘emblem’ move, which sees the team draw the Saudi emblem of two swords crossed over a palm tree. The latter won the Saudi Hawks an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest-ever aerial drawing.

 

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