The RAF Hawk Display Team has unveiled its new paint design for the 2012 AirShow season

RAF Display Team has a heart

The RAF Hawk Display Team has unveiled its new paint design for the 2012 airshow season – featuring the “Heart Roundel” logo of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF), the RAF’s leading welfare charity. The Display Hawk, which is based at RAF Valley in Holyhead, is featuring the logo to promote the work the RAFBF does at the heart of the RAF family.

Flight Lieutenant Phil Bird, Display Hawk Pilot, said:

“We are really proud to have the aircraft branded up with the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund logo. They do a huge amount of work supporting veterans as well as those serving today.

“Last year alone they spent over £200,000 at RAF Valley, providing new play parks, games areas and youth workers as part of their Airplay project. It’s the kind of work that makes a big difference to families living on station, and we wanted to show our appreciation for what they do. We’re already getting questions from the public about the Heart Roundel logo so hopefully we can help spread the word wherever we go.”

Cerys Truman, Regional Fundraiser for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund said:

“We are delighted with the support Hawk Display team are giving us this year. The branded aircraft builds on the fantastic sporting challenges and other fundraising events they’ve taken on for us this year.

“On behalf of the RAFBF I would like to thank Phil and the team for their generosity, which encapsulates the enthusiasm we see for our work across the Air Force – it is vital to us, as we simply could not offer the support we do without it.”

The Hawk Display team are appearing at a number of airshows throughout the summer, including the Best of British Show at Cotswold Airport on 26th-27th August 2012.

For more information on RAF Hawk Display visit raf.mod.uk/hawkdisplayteam

RAF press release. Photo’s: M. van Leeuwen Z.A.P.P.