Sherdils

The "Sherdils" are the current Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aerobatic display team. The team consists of six K-8 jet trainers painted in overall white, red and blue colors and the team's pilots are instructors from the Pakistan Air Force Academy based at Risalpur Air Force Base. All the team's planes are equipped with white, red and blue colors smoke systems.

History

This PAF aerobatic display team was first established on August 17, 1972 flying with four Cessna T-37 "Tweety-Bird" trainers. The team's pilots were drawn from instructors at the Basic Flying Training Wing. Originally, the PAF team had no name but its creation was clearly inspired by RAF display teams. The team's founder, Sqn Ldr Bahar, had completed an exchange tour at RAF's Central Flying School.

On September 19, 1974, the team performed under the name "Sherdils" for the first time, with four red-painted T-37's.

On October 8, 1978 during practice flight, the team leader, Flt Lt Alamdar Hussain, collided in mid-air with the aircraft flying slot. Both planes subsequently crashed, killing their pilots.

In 1980, another two aircraft were added to the team, growing the "Sherdils" to their present six-ship formation size. In addition, the team's planes were repainted to their current color scheme - white, red and blue. Later, the team's aircraft were each equipped with smoke generators, capable of releasing red, orange and green smoke.

At the beginning of 21st century, the "Sherdils" formation sometimes expanded to nine planes, but not consistently every time that they performed.

On November 18, 2009, the "Sherdils" transitioned to the brand new China-Pakistan built K-8 Karakorum jet trainer and performed for the first time during the PAF Academy Graduation Parade. The team reverted to a six-ship formation at this point.