Wildcat Demo Team
The Black Cats
Wildcat Demo Team logo
Active2001 (2001)–present
Country United Kingdom
Allegiance Royal Navy
BranchFleet Air Arm
RoleRoyal Navy Helicopter Display Team
Size6 aircrew and several support crew
Garrison/HQRNAS Yeovilton
ColoursGrey and Black
Aircraft flown
Attack helicopterAgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2

The Wildcat Demo Team (Black Cats) are the Royal Navy's helicopter display team. The team is composed of two AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2 anti-submarine and anti-shipping helicopters, with the aircraft and crews drawn from 825 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.

The team performs at airshows and other public events around the UK and Europe. They perform a display which mixes close formation, opposition and synchronised manoeuvres.

History

Lynx

The Black Cats were formed in 2001 and performed with the Westland Lynx. For their first three display seasons, the team was known as the 'Lynx Pair' – the "Black Cats" title was applied in 2004. The team's predecessors as the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team were "The Sharks", who used four red Westland Gazelle helicopters and disbanded in 1992.

The team won the Steadman Sword for the best British participant at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2003 and as "Les Chats Noirs" performed at the French Navy's 30th Anniversary of operating the Lynx at Lanvéoc in Brittany.

2010201120122013
Black 1Lt Becky Frater[1]Lt Chris Chambers[2]Lt Dave Fleming[3]Lt 'AJ' Thompson[4] previously Black 2 in 2009.[5]
Black 2Lt Chris Chambers[1]Lt Dave Fleming[2]Lt Ian Brannighan[3]
Lynx

Lynx & Wildcat

2014

Due to the transition within the Royal Navy from the Lynx HMA.8 to the Wildcat HMA.2, one of the Lynxes was changed to an AgustaWestland Wildcat.[6]

  • Black 1 (Wildcat): Lt Cdr Gary McCall
  • Black 2 (Lynx): Lt Ian Houlston with Lt Frank Suter as observer

The 2014 season was the last year with the Lynx HMA.8.

Wildcat

2015

During the 2015 season the team only used the AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2.

2015201620172018
Black 1Lt David LillyLt Cdr David Lilly
Black 2Lt James WoodsLt Chris Rebbeck

Solo Display

From 2019, the Black Cats rebranded as the ‘Wildcat Demo Team’ and operate only one aircraft. They confirmed that shows in 2020 would also feature a solo display.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Black Cats display team's first female pilot at show". BBC News Online. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Chris takes the controls for anniversary of famous Lynx". Western Daily Press. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Black Cats helicopter team to get Bournemouth Air Festival crowds in a spin". Bournemouth Echo. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "Royal Navy Lynx helicopters train on warship". Royal Navy. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "Black Cats pilot looking forward to display at Yeovilton Air Day". Western Gazette. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "The Black Cats: just as exciting as any plane". Bournemouth Echo. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "Royal Navy Black Cats become Wildcat Demo Team". 9 January 2020.
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