With its air brake deployed the aircraft nearest the camera has lost some airspeed and allowed the aircraft on it’s starboard wing to pull ahead. The airbrake is the flap you see under the tail of the aircraft. When deployed hydraulically into the airflow the jet will lose speed quite quickly. The airbrake will be used throughout the display by all the aircraft in order to make it possible to hold formation.

Ref: RA030

Date: 18/07/2009

Location: RIAT Fairford

Photographer: Karl Lucas