Red Arrows squadron leader Martin Pert has said it was “wonderful” to fly over the place he grew up in during the team’s fly past over Watford and Borehamwood.

Families were treated to a special flyby from the renowned aerobatic display team last Sunday, as people gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the red planes in the sky.

Mr Pert, who grew up in Abbots Langley, was announced as Red 1 in 2017 – having led the Red Arrows in 2018 for its Centenary.

Speaking about the flypast, he said: “It was wonderful to see from the air, for the first time in my 19 year military flying career, the place where I grew up.

Watford Observer:

Red Arrows over Bedmond. Credit: Pete Shallcross

“It was even more special knowing my father was watching whilst leading the world’s finest aerobatic display team.”

Mr Pert's first flying experience with the renowned stunt team came in 2011 – serving until 2014 where he flew in Red 2, 4 and 8 in successive years.

He said that the flypast was approved after an official bid was put through by Elstree Aerodrome and that it “married up with one of our positioning flights between Farnborough airport and our home base”.

Watford Observer:

Credit: Steve Holland

He continued: “I am from the area and it’s true that our routing did take me over my parents’ house, but that is both a coincidence and doubly so that it was fathers’ day!”

Dave Remnant, flight information service officer at Elstree Tower, said: “It makes me feel very proud to know we have Martin from Watford leading the world greatest aerobatic display team & they are going out of their way to carry out this flypast.

“Hopefully people will now connect Watford with the Red Arrows & be as proud of Martin for his achievements."

Thankfully the skies remained mostly clear for the fly past and so many of you shared your footage with us of the Red Arrows. Make sure to check out our previous article to see footage from inside one of the planes themselves.