Patrulla Ascua

Prehistory

The first aerobatic display team from the Spanish Air Force was created in 1954 using six T-6 Texan aircraft drawn from the Basic Air School.

The next year at the Jet Training Air School, an aerobatic team was established flying with T-33 Silver Star jets. After this school transitioned to new F-5 fighters, this team was moved to Zaragoza.

In 1980, an aerobatic team flying with Mirage F-1s from the Albacente Air Base was created. This team flew until 1987 when it was disbanded.

Patrulla Ascua History

In 1956, while returning from training flight, Lt.Col Hevia headed a four-ship formation of F-86 Sabres. He suggested executing a loop in diamond formation, and then a roll. This was the beginning of a famous aerobatic display team.

The team's first official demonstration occurred on February 23, 1956 at the Manises Air Base, but bad weather curtailed the show. On June 22, 1956, they flew during the opening ceremonies of the new airport in Rome, Italy. During this period they didn't have an official statute as an aerobatic team. Later the Patrulla Ascua planes were painted in red and yellow colors (Spanish flag colors).

In 1958, this team would become known as "Patrulla Ascua". The team was drawn from the 1st Fighter Wing based in Manises. A fifth F-86 Sabre was later added to the team for solo demonstration purposes.

On September 28, 1958, during a "Bomb Burst" maneuver in a training flight, the #4 aircraft crashed. This accident resulted in the suspension of the team's performances for three years, until May 2, 1961, when the team flew once again in Sevilla. in the following years, "Patrulla Ascua" would only perform at a few more airshows and on January 12, 1965 "Patrulla Ascua" flew for the last time.