Firebird Aerobatics - Into The '90s

Into The '90s

As the 1990s dawned Firebird continued to grow in stature, making appearances each year at the biggest airshows around Europe as well as numerous smaller events like fetes, agricultural shows and motor races.

Although the Jaguar sponsorship of the Extra 230 ended in 1990, a replacement was soon found in the form of Express Newspapers, who followed up their previous Pitts Special support by sponsoring the "Flying Crusaders Aerobatic Team". This was composed of the Extra 230 and the Stampe, and it was noteworthy in that it took the unprecedented step of combining a cutting-edge monoplane with a classic biplane in the same aerobatic act. The "Flying Crusaders" pilots were John Harper (Extra), and ex-RAF Phantom pilot John Connor (Stampe). This team were active for three seasons, in 1991-1993, with the Extra 230 continuing to fly in Express colours as a solo performer in 1994.

Emboldened by the "Flying Crusaders" success, in 1995 Firebird launched the Rover Group Aerobatic Team, composed of two latest-technology Extra 300s. Active in 1995-1997, this team's pilots were Brian Lecomber (leader) and Alan Wade (wingman), the latter graduating from six years flying the Microlease-sponsored Pitts Special. Wade left the team at the end of 1996, and was replaced by John Taylor who flew as wingman for the team's final year in 1997. The "Rover Duo" as they were known were a highly popular act, renowned for flying some unusual and unique manoeuvres including a positive/negative 'G' "mirror loop", line-abreast formation stall-turns and synchronised vertical rolls. In 1996, the team were awarded the prestigious 'Steedman Display Sword' for Best UK Display at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford.

Throughout all this time, Firebird also continued its association with Microlease. In 1995, following Alan Wade's move to wingman in the "Rover Duo", the Pitts Special was flown by another new team member, Nick Wakefield. The following year, in 1996, the team also took delivery of a third Extra 300 which they operated as another solo display aircraft alongside the Pitts.