Red Arrows (Best 100)
100 images Created 30 Oct 2008
To the very second, they fly in formation over palace balconies and seaside beaches, over crowds of millions and the sheep in farmers' fields. With millions to entertain and with Concorde now grounded, Britain looks to the Royal Air Force's 'Red Arrows' Aerobatic Team as one remaining symbol to represent a truly great British institution.
Richard Baker has trailed the Red Arrows - also known as the Reds - as they trained at their home airfield, in Cyprus and performing at air shows. Far from a traditional view of an aviation subject - 35mm jets and sky - his medium format cameras make an intimate and sometimes ironic reportage. He flew in formation with the team on 6 occasions shooting from the cockpit canopy while often traveling at 450mph.
His pictures centre mostly on his travels and friendships with the pilots and engineers of the 100-strong team who, without exception, shared their trust and energies during his 10-month reportage. His air show observations also make for surreal side-glances at those fans who follow the patriotic red, white and blue smoke.
The official RAF-sanctioned book appeared in time for the 40th anniversary of the very first Red Arrows display on May 15th 1965.
This set of the best 100 has until now been exclusive at CORBIS but is now at Photoshelter and Alamy.
From the book 'Red Arrows' by Richard Baker
Published by Dalton Watson and available from Amazon, Waterstones in the UK and publisher daltonwatson.com
ISBN 1-85443-217-6
For remainder B-edit images, go to:
http://bit.ly/MN51Gi
(More text available on request).
Richard Baker has trailed the Red Arrows - also known as the Reds - as they trained at their home airfield, in Cyprus and performing at air shows. Far from a traditional view of an aviation subject - 35mm jets and sky - his medium format cameras make an intimate and sometimes ironic reportage. He flew in formation with the team on 6 occasions shooting from the cockpit canopy while often traveling at 450mph.
His pictures centre mostly on his travels and friendships with the pilots and engineers of the 100-strong team who, without exception, shared their trust and energies during his 10-month reportage. His air show observations also make for surreal side-glances at those fans who follow the patriotic red, white and blue smoke.
The official RAF-sanctioned book appeared in time for the 40th anniversary of the very first Red Arrows display on May 15th 1965.
This set of the best 100 has until now been exclusive at CORBIS but is now at Photoshelter and Alamy.
From the book 'Red Arrows' by Richard Baker
Published by Dalton Watson and available from Amazon, Waterstones in the UK and publisher daltonwatson.com
ISBN 1-85443-217-6
For remainder B-edit images, go to:
http://bit.ly/MN51Gi
(More text available on request).
