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jamieooh
05-03-2012, 08:44 PM
Eagles set to soar at RAF Fairford
2 May 2012 | England UK
http://www.bfbs.com/news/sites/ssvc.com.bfbs.news/files/images/internal_articles/eagles.jpg
The South Korean Black Eagles will become the first fixed wing aerobatics display team from Asia to perform in Europe.

The team, comprising eight T-50 ‘Golden Eagle’ supersonic light-trainer aircraft, will make their debut at the Royal International Air Tattoo in July.

Their visit is the culmination of more than 20 years of planning by the airshow organisers, who first contacted the Republic of Korea’s London embassy in the mid-1980s.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said: “Each year we would visit the embassy to build relations and explain the background to our event. Finally, in 2002, we had a breakthrough when the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) sent some of their pilots and senior military representatives to experience the airshow first hand – and they have been back most years ever since. It is a great honour for us to host their visit – and we’re pleased for the UK aircraft enthusiast community who will, I’m sure, be relishing the thought of seeing such rare visitors.”

In order to get the aircraft – 10 in total, including two spares – they will have to be dismantled in Asia and flown the 5,000 mile journey in a fleet of large transport aircraft before being reassembled in the UK.

The T-50 was developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in response to the increased demands on future trainer aircraft to keep up with higher-performance military fighters such as the Typhoon, the F-22 and the Joint Strike Fighter.
http://www.bfbs.com/news/england/eagles-set-soar-raf-fairford-56963.html