Century lands official history of the Red Arrows

Century has landed the official history of the Red Arrows, featuring never-before-shared tales of the world famous RAF display team.

Editor Jess Ballance commissioned world rights to the project from IMG, the Ministry of Defence’s exclusive licensing representative. The Red Arrows: The Story of Britain's Iconic Display Team will be published in hardback, audio and e-book on 29th April 2021.

The book is written by the head of the Red Arrows, wing commander David Montenegro, himself a former Red 1 and Red Arrows team leader. It celebrates the courage, daring and skill of the Red Arrows and its pilots over the last 50 years, also providing an insight into how the team represents the RAF and the United Kingdom around the world.

Montenegro said: “Ever since our first dynamic display, the Red Arrows have aimed to inspire and enthral through precision and teamwork—showcasing the excellence of the Royal Air Force, worldwide. Much of this activity, and the strength and success of the team, is achieved through the tireless application, innovation and dedication of our highly trained personnel—individuals who have served operationally, helping the RAF to secure the skies and protect our nation. I hope readers, who may have seen one of our nearly 5,000 displays since 1965, or perhaps just have an interest in high-performing teams, will gain a new, unique and colourful perspective on the Red Arrows. However, above all, I want to bring all of the excitement, speed and vibrancy synonymous with a world-class Red Arrows show to even more people through a book illustrating the very best of British.”

Ballance added: “We couldn’t be more proud and excited to be publishing The Red Arrows. It grants readers a fascinating pilot’s-eye perspective of what it means to fly in those iconic aircraft. This book is a true celebration of the Red Arrows, one of Britain’s national treasures, and their fascinating history, featuring personal stories from the people behind the planes and exploring the skills and incredible mindset of the world-class Red Arrows pilots.”