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Fantastic pictures taken from the cockpit of a Red Arrow show the squadron in flight over Balderton Lake




These incredible pictures show our much-loved Red Arrows in flight looking down on Balderton Lake.

They were taken by the back-seat operator of Red 5, Corporal Nic Sabin, who is local to the Newark area and were sent to the Advertiser by his proud mum.

Nic is known as Circus 5 and Flight-Lieutenant David Simmonds is his pilot.

The Red Arrows over Balderton Lake. Credit: Nic Sabin (57586717)
The Red Arrows over Balderton Lake. Credit: Nic Sabin (57586717)

The Red Arrows were on their way back from from a variety of flypasts and displaying at Goodwood Thursday of last week when the pictures were taken.

The squadron was returning to Scampton base when it flew over Balderton Lake and Nic took the pictures from inside the cockpit of Red 5.

Balderton from the air. Credit Nic Sabin (57586720)
Balderton from the air. Credit Nic Sabin (57586720)

Ten aircraft engineering technicians and one photographer are chosen to form a team known as the Circus.

Circus members are each allocated to a specific pilot for the duration of the summer display season.

Corporal Nic Sabin took these pictures from the back seat of his Red Arrows Hawk jet. (57586725)
Corporal Nic Sabin took these pictures from the back seat of his Red Arrows Hawk jet. (57586725)

They fly in the passenger seat of the Hawk to and from display airfields and service the aircraft before and after every display when operating away from the team's home base. Once the display season is over, they return to their normal team duties.

The unique experience of flying regularly in a fast-jet means that these are some of the most sought-after engineering and technical jobs in the Royal Air Force.

Corporal Nic Sabin. Credit: RAF Red Arrows (57586707)
Corporal Nic Sabin. Credit: RAF Red Arrows (57586707)

Nic is originally from Bingham and joined the Royal Air Force in 2010.

He has previously worked on various aircraft including the Shadow R1, Chinook helicopter and Tornado GR4.

Nic Sabin is local to the Newark area. (57586728)
Nic Sabin is local to the Newark area. (57586728)

He joined the Red Arrows in January 2019.

His mum Ruth Sabin described the pictures as amazing.



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