Former Belgian Air Force aerobatic display team Red Devils was re-formed again as a four-ship team in April 2011, after the team was last disbanded in 1977. Red Devils or (Diables Rouges) was formed for the first time in 1960 flying four Hunter F.6 aircraft. In 1963 they were disbanded and reformed again two years later, but this time flying seven Fouga Magister CM170 planes until 1977.
Actually the present "Hardship Red" display team became the Red Devils after their Siai Marchetti SF260 airplanes were repainted in red paint scheme with Belgium flag colors painted at the bottom wing and vertical wing – almost the same as it was at the previous two Red Devils teams. Two of the Hardship Red pilots stay with the new Red Devils team. These pilots are: Leader Cdt Alain Collard and Slot Lt Olivier Gilson. The other two pilots are Lt Stefaan Braem and Cpt Albert Baltus. The new team will be based at Beauvechain air base.
Belgian Air Force has long years of tradition to use SF-260 as aerobatic teams' plane. The first one team flying SF-260 was "Swallows" formed in 1973 and existed with a little interruption until 1997. The second was "Hardship Red" formed in 2008 and now the Red Devils.
The main reason to re-establish the famous team from the past is the Belgian Air Force 65th anniversary. The first public demonstration is planned to be at Belgian Air Component Anniversary Airshow in Koksjide on July 6th. The first airshow abroad is planned for July 16-17 at Air Tattoo, Fairford, UK.
