After ten years since their last display in Europe the Republic of Korea’s Black Eagles are back, the team will perform a number of displays as well as special flypasts during their European Tour to promote the South Korean-made aircraft.

The 53rd Air Demonstration Group, nicknamed the Black Eagles is the aerobatic team of the Republic of Korea Air Force based at Wonju, Gangwon Province. The ROKAF Aerobatic Team has operated on various occasions at national ceremonies. The permanent team was initially formed on December 12, 1994, and flew six Cessna A-37B Dragonfly aircraft. The team disbanded temporarily after the 2007 Seoul Air Show and reformed upon the arrival of their new T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft code-named as T-50B in 2010.

In early June Black Eagles mechanics disassembled 9 T-50B aircraft at Wonju Base, packed them safely and used a non-vibration vehicle to move them to Incheon Airport. Later, the T-50B aircraft were transported by Asiana Airlines B747 Freighter to the UK, the first stop of their tour. In the UK the aircraft were reassembled and the team performed their first flight on Friday the 1st of July, the team’s first full rehearsal is planned for Monday the 4th of July. The team has selected MoD Boscombe Down as their base to travel to the airshow locations and practice ahead of the big days.

The team will perform at the following airshows in the UK

• Southport Airshow - 9th-10th July (Shortened display due to the distance between MoD Boscombe Down and Southport)

• Farnborough International Airshow - 18th-22th July (Limited display due to the highly constrained display area at the venue)

• Royal International Airshow - 15th-17th July (Full Display)

On the 25th of July, the Black Eagles will depart to Poland where they will display at the Polish Air Force Academy in Deblin demonstrating the aircraft to the Polish Air Force officials. It has not been confirmed yet on what day/s the team will display and if the base will be open to the public. Sadly the third and also the last leg of the Black Eagles European Tour which would see the team display in Slovakia has been cancelled meaning that their display in Poland will be the only opportunity to see the team in mainland Europe.