Motorbikes were introduced into the Royal Artillery during the First World War. They were used by Gunner Regiments to reconnoitre gun positions and for courier missions.
Today, the Royal Artillery will still use motorbikes in some very important roles. Battery Guides use them when leading the Guns onto the Gun Position and they are also used by Royal Artillery Special Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines on target acquisition and observation missions. The Royal Artillery Motor Cycle Display Team originated from the 31st Training Regiment Royal Artillery Display Team, which was formed at Kinmel Park Camp, Rhyl, in the summer of 1949 and gave their first performance at the St Asaph Tattoo in July 1949.
The team was the brainchild of Captain David Miles, and used the normal issue Army Motor Cycles of that time, which were Matchless G3L machines. They were an immediate success and during their early days gave displays in North Wales and Central Wales and the neighbouring English counties.
From the very start the emphasis was on a slick, polished and professional presentation, with really well practiced precision riding for the team manoeuvres and a non-stop series of tricks, with the next machine always in the arena before the previous one had left.
You will see that this high standard of polish and professionalism has been maintained and perfected by the team of today. Although the display is varied in content from year to year, some of the trick riding acts, and the clown act, have remained as they were originally conceived in the team of 1949.
The team remained in Rhyl until 1961, when 31st Training Regiment was disbanded, and by this time they had built up a reputation throughout the United Kingdom for the excellence of their displays. They had also changed their machines from the aging WD Matchless to BSA 500cc Gold Stars. This was the direct result of members of the team riding the BSA motor cycles in the 1960
International Six Day Trials, and the link between BSA and the team was to remain until 1974 when for various reasons which had nothing to do with the quality of the BSA, it was decided to change to the Greeves Griffon QUB.
The Team moved in 1961 from Rhyl to Woolwich, the home of the Royal Regiment of Artillery and became part of the Royal Artillery Recruiting Troop, and later the Royal Artillery Display Troop. The Team are now based at Larkhill, Wiltshire.
Nowadays, the team represents the cream of the Army's riding ability and the soldiers are selected to be in The Flying Gunners for their riding skill and courage.
Volunteer soldiers drawn from across the Royal Regiment of Artillery man the team. Team trials to select suitable volunteers to join the Flying Gunners are held annually – usually in the late autumn and early spring. Successful applicants are posted to the team on 2 – 3 year postings. Full training is given and no motorcycling experience is necessary to become a member of the Flying Gunners.
Once a rider makes the team they are trained in numerous motorcycle skills, from precision riding to motor cross jumping. This has always raised considerable media interest.
The team is self-sufficient and must fund its own activities. The soldiers are all from operational Regiments, many having served in numerous theatres of conflict, from Iraq to Afghanistan. All of the riders are proud to be Gunners, but above all else, they are proud to be "Flying Gunners".
The “Flying Gunners” will now, for the forthcoming show season (2007) be riding Yamaha WR250F Enduro Bikes for the main ride in the show and Yamaha YZ250F for the finale car jump!
Every year thousands of people throughout the country see the flying gunners in action. Speed, excitement, showmanship and professionalism are the hallmarks of this motorcycle display team.
Each year the team gives approximately 120 separate performances at different venues. During recent years they have made appearances at the royal tournament, The Rhine Army Summer Show, The Fortress Fantasia in Gibraltar, and every major agricultural or trucking show in the UK. Television credits include The Edinburgh Tattoo, "You Bet”, National Lottery Show, Noels Edmond's House Party, Lenny Henry Show, Blue Peter and the Brian Conley Show.
The display combines breathtaking high speed double crossovers from four corners of the arena when closing speeds may reach 90mph, with shows of the individual and combined skill which include amazing feats of balance, machine control, team work and courage. In the intermediate ride, the movements are carried out at very high speeds over ramps, with riders crossing in mid-air inches apart. The climax of the show is a spectacular car jump over four cars or more.
The daring high-speed crossovers and the exciting moving pyramid requires a great deal of fitness, concentration, teamwork and professionalism. All the important qualities of the army’s crack display team- THE MOTORCYCLE DISPLAY TEAM OF THE ROYAL ARTILLERY.
"The Flying Gunners"
If there are any ex - Flying Gunners out there who wish to try and contact any other ex members please click here and it will take you to the RA Recruiting Troop website which is run by one of our ex members.
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