With the airshow season approaching, AIR International provides a review of the world's military aerobatic demonstration teams. In this first part David Willis details those based in Europe. Europe has a diverse range of military aerobatic and display teams, many of which will be familiar to those who regularly attend airshows across the continent. The history of each is unique, some arising from a desire to create a full-time official team to represent the service, while others exist because the pilots and their support staff are prepared to give up their spare time to practise and display. As well as demonstrating the skills of their service in the air, they can act as a powerful recruiting tool. Some have achieved such kudos that they are recognised as ambassadors of their country, 'flying the flag' on international tours by trailing the national colours across the skies.
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