The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, who are more commonly known as the Red Arrows, represent the very best of the Royal Air Force (RAF). Each member of the team goes through a series of rigorous tests before they are selected and together, they represent the excellence and capabilities of the service. Renowned for their captivating aerial displays and precision flying, the Red Arrows have flown nearly 5,000 displays in 57 countries since their inception in 1964.

All facets of the RAF are key to the success of the Red Arrows team and their work would not be possible without their hardworking, dedicated ground crew, known as The Blues. As the public facing side of the RAF, the Red Arrows also serve as a recruitment tool for the UK Armed Forces, with many pilots choosing a career in aviation after seeing the spectacular displays as a child.

To celebrate the legacy and story of the Red Arrows, The Royal Mint has produced a UK 50p coin in their honour. Designed by Nigel Tudman at Tuch Design, the reverse of this coin features three of the Red Arrows’ distinctive BAE Systems Hawk T1 aircraft accompanied by the smoke used in the team’s aerial displays. The coin is available in a range of gold Proof, silver Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated editions including three colour-printed editions – a silver Proof Piedfort, silver Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated edition that each depict the smoke in red, white and blue.