Stunning video captured on board a Red Arrow’s fastjet as the team arrives in Hawarden

A stunning video captured by a Red Arrows ‘Circus engineer’ on board one of the world-famous Hawk T1 fastjets shows the team arriving in Hawarden on Friday.

Start of the second half of the season with a left/right break into Hawarden. @rafredarrows pic.twitter.com/R4eHw7LT0o

— Phillip Broadbent (@philb871) August 5, 2016

Senior Aircraftsman Technician Phillip Broadbent posted the video on twitter after the team arrived Friday morning, flying over Hawarden airfield and performing a high-speed left, right break before landing at the airport.

Looking over the shoulder of ‘Circus 2’ you get a sense of just how close, fast and low the team fly when performing their legendary routines. 

Mark Nadin ‏(@sarnmonica) captured the same moment from the ground, Philip is in the second jet to the right of the formation to make the turn.

@wrexham @DeesideDotCom @GavinMatthews2 Red arrows arriving back at Hawarden pic.twitter.com/Rcvxw1hZ4r

— mark nadin (@sarnmonica) August 5, 2016

The Red Arrows, regulars at Hawarden, have been using the airport as base ahead of displays in Shawbury, North Shropshire on Friday and Northern Ireland on Saturday.

SAC(T) Phillip Broadbent 28, is one of ten aircraft engineering technicians known as the Circus.

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

They fly in the passenger seat of the Hawk to and from display airfields and service the aircraft before and after every display.

Once the display season is over, they return to their normal squadron duties.

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

Philips profile via the RAF Red Arrows website:

Senior Aircraftsman Technician Phillip Broadbent – Picture RAF Red Arrows

Phillip attended Don Valley High School in Doncaster South Yorkshire. After completing his GCSE’s he went on to complete an Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering.

Career – Whilst doing his apprenticeship he worked as a Rail Engineer Technician, maintaining equipment in support to the National Railway. Phillip decided to join the RAF in February 2010. After Initial Trade Training, he joined the Red Arrows and was a member of the 2012 Dye Team. Whilst on RAFAT, he got to travel around Europe with the team. Upon completing Further Trade Training at RAF Cosford, Phillip returned to the Red Arrows for a second tour.

Background – Phillip has a keen interest in playing and watching football and has an avid interest in Liverpool Football Club. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his partner Heather, who also serves in the RAF as an Admin Clerk.

Main image by John Wannop – you can see more of his superb work here jwdogphoto.co.uk