In 1961 No. 92 Sqn, the Blue Diamonds, (initially named 'The Falcons'), became the official aerobatic team of Royal Air Force. Under the leadership of Sqn Ldr RWP Brian Mercer, an ex-Black Arrows pilot, they flew 16 blue-painted Hawker Hunter F6 aircraft. During their display, Blue Diamonds splits into two formations of 7 and 9 aircraft and to four formations of four planes also. The team used the four fours spilt first at Furstenfeldbruck Air Base near Munich in September 1961.
The team performed the 16-ship rool and a loop, which began with four split sections of four Hunters and joined up in one large diamond at the top of the loop, while inverted. Another unique maneuver performed by The Blue Diamonds display team was seven-ship line abreast loop, which has not done by any other aerobatic team.
The team was formed in 1960 and exists until 1962.
Thanks to Brian Mercer
