The Red Arrows cut their display short earlier today (Sunday, August 28) after a bird strike.

The Red Arrows were to feature at the Rhyl Air Show from 4pm till 5pm and were to close the show full of Bank Holiday fun. 

However, many spectators across social media report that they heard a bang or a pop before one of the aircraft was forced to land early at Hawarden Airport, where the Red Arrows were based for the show. 

On Twitter, a spokesperson for the Red Arrows said: "Thank you to everyone at this weekend’s Rhyl Airshow. We had to finish today’s #RedArrows display a few minutes early after one of our jets suffered a bird strike, damaging the cockpit canopy. This type of incident is not uncommon in aviation and is extremely well-trained for."

They continued: "In this instance, Red 6 and the whole team responded perfectly together, with no further risk to the pilot and aircraft. Happy to report the jet landed safely and the pilot is unhurt. Thank you for the many well wishes and messages!"

 

The Leader: (Synchro Leader) – Squadron Leader Gregor Ogston (image: Cody Froggatt)(Synchro Leader) – Squadron Leader Gregor Ogston (image: Cody Froggatt)

Photographer Cody Froggatt was an onlooker at the display and said he heard a large bang and then the call 'mayday, mayday, mayday'.

The shots he took, which are in this article, captured the damage that was sustained to the aircraft. 

They show half of Red's 6 Synchro Leader, Squadron Lead Gergor Ogston's canopy missing.

Cody said: "I can't stress enough how bad this was, in 12 years of attending many international airshows this was the worst bird strike I've ever seen (one of the worst the reds have ever had)."

The Leader: Red 6(Synchro Leader) Squadron Leader Gregor Ogston (image: Cody Froggatt)Red 6(Synchro Leader) Squadron Leader Gregor Ogston (image: Cody Froggatt)

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