The Black Cats are the Royal Navy's helicopter display team and perform using two Royal Navy Lynx helicopters.
The carefully choreographed display features a full display of the precision and aerobatic capabilities of the Lynx. The acclaimed aerobatic display has been described as an aerial ballet but also features high-speed crosses, close formation work and opposing manoeuvres.
HISTORY
The team have been a fixture on the Airshow circuit for several years under the title of The Lynx Pair and won the Steadman Sword for the best British participant at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2003. In 2004, increased support from the Royal Navy and Agusta Westland Helicopters saw the team reinvented as "The Black Cats" for the forthcoming season.
The team are the first official RN helicopter display team since The Sharks, who disbanded in the mid 1990’s. The team have however drawn from their predecessor’s displays and use several manoeuvres, which were trademarks of the 4 red Gazelle helicopters.
The team's title "The Black Cats" comes from a combination of the Lynx wildcat featured on the 702 Squadron badge and the naval slang of 'black catting', which is a form of one-upmanship by having done something or owning something better than anyone else.
The Royal Navy Lynx differs from the Army Lynx in that it has a wheeled undercarriage unlike the Army version which has skids.
AIRSHOWS 2007
2007 promises to be a hugely exciting year in the continued evolution of the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team. For the first time in it's history the Team will have a specially designed paint scheme for the display circuit. It incorporates the 2007 badge, and involves over 50% of the helicopter being painted in a black and grey design, which mimics the fur of the Lynx wildcat. Initially, a Lynx Mk8 will be painted, followed at a later date by a Lynx Mk3.
