Many of us know about these guys firsthand. And some were even lucky to see their first-class performances. But what is the story of these Russian Knights?
Aerobatic team Russian Knights originates in the distant 1991, namely on April 5th. It is assembled from the best pilots of the Russian Air Force. The initial composition was selected from the first aviation squadron, which is part of the 234th Guards Aviation Regiment. Their base is located in the area of the Kubinka airfield, which is located near Moscow.
Kubinka airfield is one of the most famous military facilities in Russia. Moreover, it is known not only here, but also abroad. And she gained her fame precisely because the best pilots of the country learned all the basics of aerobatics there. In addition to the Russian Knights, on the same base is located and the aerobatic team Swifts. It is for this reason that both of these groups can often be seen in joint speeches. After all, they, by right, are the best masters of their hard work.
After the Great Patriotic War ended, the guys piloted MiG series fighters. But already in 1989, the SU-27 fighters delivered to the military base. Because of their large size, it was not so easy to control them, especially when it came to group flights. But it was their choice of Russian Knights. Ultimately, they formed a composition of six such aircraft, which they are performing today. However, at first the group received the name Blue Lightning, but a little later it became known that one aerobatic team in Japan was called Blue Impulse. And in order to avoid possible confusion, it was decided to change the name, which they kept up to this year 2018.
As for the coloring of their combat aircraft, the guys did not strain much and took the colors of our Russian flag as a basis. After all, the pilots are not only in our country, so they need to represent their homeland somehow. So, wherever they perform, we can always recognize them by the appropriate coloring.
It is worth noting the fact that the Russian Knights are the only ones who are able to perform group aerobatics on heavy fighters of the production model. Indeed, in most cases, for the show in the sky they use both simpler and modified models. But not in this case.
Istria flights Russian Knights
Aerobatic team Russian Knights performed in their entire career more than 50 demonstration flights and various air shows. And how many times they climbed into the sky during training and various flights - there is no longer counted. Anyway, it is possible to pick out from the whole variety the most interesting and memorable moments of history.
The aerobatic team made its first visit to the UK in the fall of 1991. Russian Knights arrived in the royal country for a joint performance with the Red Arrows pilots, who were the main flight group of the British Air Force. Together, they made a grand airshow at Lurkas, after which the Russian Knights ran over the residence of the Queen of Scotland. After that, they arranged flights to many countries of the world, in each of which they organized just an amazing show.
Since 2004, the Russian Vityazi began to carry out joint flights with the aerobatic team of Swifts. Nine flying machines take part in such a joint performance - five from the Russian Knights and four more from the Swifts. The Russian Knights flew the SU-27, but their comrades used the MiG-29. And it is precisely due to such a complex combination of fundamentally different fighters that they are blowing and gained fame. Indeed, in both aerobatic teams, as mentioned earlier, pilots are based on the same military air base. And each of them has extensive experience in piloting and performing the most complex elements of the show in the air.
Accidents Russian Knights
Despite the vast experience in the management of fighters and performing the most difficult tricks in the air, in the history of the aerobatic team has not done without an accident. As in the case of the Strizhi aerobatic team, the Russian Vityazi had two incidents. However, this time we could not manage without victims.
The first state of emergency occurred in December 1995, in the district of Cam Ranh Airport, which is located in Vietnam. Aerobatic team headed there to make refueling. But due to the poor organization of air flights in difficult weather conditions, three aircraft of Russian Vityazes crashed into the mountain. As a result of this tragedy, we lost four members of the aerobatic team.
After that, for almost a year the aerobatic team did not give any performances. The composition of the team of pilots was replenished with new faces, and they conducted joint command exercises. However, already in 1996, in the autumn, they publicly demonstrated the mastery of their new aerobatics at the Gelendzhik-96 gidroaviasalon.
The second tragedy occurred at one of the main rehearsals of the MAKS-2009 air show. In August 2009, during the maneuvers, two SU-27 aircraft collided, in which there were three pilots. No sacrifice this time either, the parachute did not open on one catapult chair. But this time, despite the terrible tragedy, the group did not interrupt their scheduled performances.
Plans aerobatic team Russian Knights for 2018
The Russian Knights aerobatic team has rather big plans for 2018. What is not surprising, because after 24 years of starting a career, they earned a huge reputation on various air shows, perhaps one of the best flight teams not only in the country, but in the whole world. If we talk about numbers, only in this year 2018 the aerobatic team plans to conduct more than 20 demonstration flights. And if you still have not had time to see their air show with your own eyes, then this is an opportunity for you. Among all the events it is worth distinguishing two, especially important:
- Army 2018.
- MAKS-2018.
Just next week, the international forum Army-2018 will be held. In addition to the presentation of more than 30 items of the latest aviation technology, first-class flights are planned as part of such aerobatic teams as Russian Knights, Swifts, Golden Eagles. You will see not only first-class flights, but also a real show in the sky. So if you want not only to be aware of modern military achievements, but also to get a lot of pleasure, then you definitely need to visit this forum.
The next event will be held at the International Aviation and Space Salon in August 2018. Within the framework of the MAKS-2018 forum there will be a rather large review of the latest Russian technology, in conjunction with the performance of many aerobatic teams. One of which will be the Russian Knights. It is likely that it is there that they will perform in the composition with the aerobatic team of Swifts. In addition, it is on the MAKS-2018 forum that you can see representatives from other countries.
