When I was a wee lad...

My dad took me to air shows, loads of them when I was a kid. I grew up with jet fuel for blood and the smell of hot tarmac permenantly engraind in my nostrels.

I remember the F111's at RAF Alconbury, doing their fast passes, with the afterburners lighting the fuel as it was dumped out the back. My dad has a Polaroid of me sitting in the cockpit of one, with a flight suit and helmet on. I remember the A-10's at Bentwaters and the Dragon lady at Lakenheath. The Blue Angels, The Thunders birds, the Frecce Tricolori, The Patrouille de France.. ...I remember them all.

And I remember the Arrows.

As I've grown older, I've become accustomed to seeing things, my children now find amazing. But without exception, every time I've watched the arrows, I've retained that feeling inside. My family, my dad, became friends with some of the supporting Senior Officers on the team. Pictures are on the wall of his study, memories of family day at Scampton.

So, when one of the team is lost, I feel sad. They are a small part of what makes Britain Great. They are our colours, and I wish them and their families all the best at this time.

RIP Red 4, Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging

RIP a great pilot, saving others before himself

Oh no. I hadn't heard about this.

was only watchin the team fly over my house two weeks ago and showed my son too , sad thing is he was probaly one of those pilots he was pointing at with me . RIP pilot .