The Alpha Jets of the Patrouille de France were adorned with a new livery to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the aerobatic team. The livery shows seven aircraft, one per decade, flying in formation.
“The tail takes up the current design of one of the identities created and inspired by the Athos [the pilots Patrouille de France – ed. note] helmets of 1983,” livery designer Régis Rocca explained. “At the top of the tail, we find the official logo of the 70th anniversary of the Patrouille de France which ‘signs’ this special project.”
The Patrouille de France is the French Air Force’s precision aerobatic demonstration team, founded in 1953. It comprises of nine highly skilled pilots flying the Alpha Jet, a two-seater twin-jet aircraft designed by Dassault Aviation and Breguet for training and close air support as part of a joint Franco-German program.