Red Checkers

Red Checkers
Red Checkers team patch
Active1967–1973, 1980–2015.
DisbandedJanuary 2015
Country New Zealand
BranchRoyal New Zealand Air Force
TypeAerobatic display team
RoleDisplay team
SizeSeven pilots
Garrison/HQCentral Flying School RNZAF, RNZAF Base Ohakea
Nickname(s)The Checkers
ColorsRed and White
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Red and White checkers
Aircraft flown
Trainer

The Red Checkers was the aerobatic/precision flying Team of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Checkers fly the Pacific Aerospace CT-4E Airtrainer. Previous aircraft used were the CT4B and North American Harvard (T-6). Until the year 1994 the Checkers were based at Wigram. Aircraft used by the team had a nose painted in a red and white checkered pattern, but this has now been reduced to a small checkered stripe.

In 1973 the team was disbanded due to a world fuel crisis but was formed again in 1980.