Red Arrows Stateside Flypast Thrills New York

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team in New York (Picture: RAF).

The Red Arrows have joined their US counterparts in Manhattan for a 19-aircraft flight.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators are thought to have watched yesterday's flypast, which also featured US Air Force F-16 jets.

It was the first time the combination of jets had been brought together to fly over New York's Hudson River and around the Statue of Liberty.

Red Arrows Squadron Leader Martin Pert was grateful to lead his Aerobatic Team in the historic spectacle.

He said: "To have the opportunity to fly along the Hudson in a fast-jet, with Manhattan's skyscrapers lining part of the route and so many famous landmarks as a backdrop, was a fantastic, rewarding experience."

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team painted the city skies with signature red, white and blue smoke trails during the flypast, led by the F-16s of the US Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.

The F-16s were followed by nine Red Arrows Hawks, then two F-35 Lightning IIs and a pair of F-22 Raptors behind.

The visit from the Red Arrows is part of an 11-week tour, the team headed for major cities such as Washington DC, Seattle and San Francisco.