Red Storm Rising by Adrian Rigby.
Initially,
the Red Arrows were equipped with seven Folland Gnat trainers inherited
from the RAF Yellowjacks display team. This aircraft was chosen
because it was less expensive to operate than front-line fighters. In
their first season, they flew at 65 shows across Europe. In 1966, the
team was increased to nine members, enabling them to develop their
Diamond Nine formation. In late 1979, they switched to the BAE Hawk
trainer. By 2012 the Red Arrows have performed over 4,000 displays
worldwide in 53 countries.