Summary
The Red Checkers was the aerobatic/precision flying Team of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Checkers fly the Pacific Aerospace CT-4E Airtrainer. Previous aircraft used were the CT4B and North American Harvard (T-6). Until the year 1994 the Checkers were based at Wigram. Aircraft used by the team had a nose painted in a red and white checkered pattern, but this has now been reduced to a small checkered stripe.
| Red Checkers | |
|---|---|
 Red Checkers team patch | |
| Active | 1967-1973, 1980-2015. |
| Disbanded | January 2015 |
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Branch | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Type | Aerobatic display team |
| Role | Display team |
| Size | Seven pilots |
| Garrison/HQ | Central Flying School RNZAF, RNZAF Base Ohakea |
| Nickname(s) | The Checkers |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | Red and White checkers |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Trainer |
|
In 1973 the team was disbanded due to a world fuel crisis but was formed again in 1980.
Incidents edit
Squadron Leader Nick Cree was killed when the CT-4 training aircraft he was flying hit the ground while practicing aerial display manoeuvres near RNZAF Base Ohakea on 14 January 2010.[1]
On 1 March 2010 two aircraft touched during training with one aircraft incurring minor damage. The Red Checkers were grounded for the rest of the season.[2]
Disbandment edit
The Red Checkers display team was disbanded following the arrival of the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II and retirement of the CT-4 Airtrainer. They were replaced by the Black Falcons, who fly the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II.
References edit
- ^ Michael Forbes and Dave Burgess (15 January 2010). "Pilot gave life '100 per cent'". The Dominion Post. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ^ "Red Checkers grounded after latest accident". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
External links edit
- Central Flying School at the RNZAF website