Blue Eagles

The Blue Eagles were originally comprised of training personnel from the School of Army Aviation. The helicopters used were also from the school.

The first helicopters used by the Blue Eagles were five model Bell-H13 Sioux. The team had six dedicated pilots that were transferred from active duty squadrons. Display shows were performed starting in early February and continuing through October of each year.

British army helicopter pilots were not trained for flying in tight formations, therefore in order to perform on the team, eight weeks of special training was required.

After several years it became apparent that the costs of a helicopter display team were not affordable, and the Blue Eagles broke up. However, unpaid volunteers soon had the team together again.

Initially the Blue Eagles flew a variety of rotor and fixed wing aircraft before settling on the two helicopter types currently used in their displays. To date the team is an all-volunteer unit.

In 1992 the Blue Eagles acquired four Westland Linx helicopters. In 1993 a single Linx was retained and the remaining Linx helicopters were replaced with less costly to operate Aerospatiale Gazelle helicopters.