Red Devils
The British Army's official parachute display team, made up of serving members of the Parachute Regiment.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Red Devils are the official parachute display team of the British Army and the public-facing demonstration unit of the Parachute Regiment. The team consists of regular serving paratroopers drawn from the regiment's four battalions who volunteer for display duties. Members continue to be associated with the regiment's airborne military culture and wear its distinctive maroon beret. The team was established in 1964 by Colonel Edward Gardener under the name Parachute Regiment Free Fall Team. It became the British Army's official parachute display team in 1979. The Red Devils name reflects the historical nickname applied to members of the Parachute Regiment by German forces during the North African campaign of the Second World War. The nickname was associated with the paratroopers' red-stained uniforms and the tail-like rear flap of the Denison smock worn during airborne operations. Rather than selling consumer goods, the Red Devils provide military parachute demonstrations at air shows, public events and other ceremonial or promotional occasions. Their displays combine free-fall manoeuvres, formation flying, precision landings, flag descents and other coordinated parachuting techniques. These performances communicate the skills, discipline and airborne heritage of the Parachute Regiment while also serving as a recruiting and public-engagement activity for the British Army. The team's activities have included record-setting and experimental manoeuvres. In July 2022, two members set a Guinness World Record for the largest flag flown during a parachute descent, using a flag measuring 450 square metres. In 2023, five members pioneered a manoeuvre called the Pentagram, in which their parachutes are connected at a single point. The team has also experienced serious operational risks. A member became entangled during a collision at the Whitehaven Air Show in June 2015 but was brought safely to the ground by his partner. In October 2022, a Red Devils member died during an unplanned manoeuvre while off duty. The Red Devils remain an active military display organization. Their identity is rooted in the Parachute Regiment rather than in a separate commercial corporation, and their public profile is built around precision parachuting, airborne tradition and representation of the British Army at events.
History
The Red Devils originated in 1964, when Colonel Edward Gardener created the Parachute Regiment Free Fall Team and served as its commander during its first year. The unit was formed from serving paratroopers and was intended to demonstrate the regiment's free-fall and parachuting capabilities to the public. Its displays also helped present the discipline and technical skill associated with Britain's airborne forces. The team later adopted the Red Devils name. The title derives from a wartime nickname associated with members of the Parachute Regiment during the North African campaign of the Second World War. The nickname referred to the red earth that covered paratroopers after landing and to the appearance of the Denison smock, whose rear flap could resemble a tail. This historical association connected the display unit with the operational identity and traditions of the regiment. In 1979, the Red Devils became the official parachute display team of the British Army. From that point, the team served as a formal representative of Britain's airborne forces at air shows and other public events. Its members remained regular serving personnel rather than becoming a separate civilian performance organization. Volunteers are drawn from the Parachute Regiment's four battalions and undertake display work while retaining their military affiliation. The team's public performances have included coordinated free-fall formations, precision descents, flag displays and other demanding manoeuvres. These activities require close timing and specialized parachuting ability, and they expose the team to the inherent risks of aerial demonstration. At the Whitehaven Air Show in June 2015, a member became entangled during a stunt collision but was safely guided to the ground by his partner. In October 2022, another member died during an unplanned manoeuvre while off duty. The Red Devils have also pursued record-setting and innovative displays. In July 2022, two team members carried a 450-square-metre flag during a skydive, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest flag flown while skydiving. In 2023, five members pioneered the Pentagram, a manoeuvre in which their parachutes are joined at one point. These developments demonstrate the team's continuing emphasis on technical display and public spectacle. Today, the Red Devils remain the British Army's official parachute display team. Their role combines military representation, public engagement and demonstration of airborne skills. Although the name functions as a recognizable public identity, the organization is fundamentally a unit connected to the Parachute Regiment and the British Army rather than an independent commercial brand.
- 2023
Pentagram manoeuvre pioneered
[1]Five members introduced a formation in which their parachutes are connected at a single point.
- 2022
Largest skydiving flag record
[1]Two members carried a 450-square-metre flag during a parachute descent, setting a Guinness World Record.
- 2015
Whitehaven Air Show collision
[1]A team member became entangled during a stunt collision but was brought safely to the ground by a partner.
- 1979
Recognized as the British Army's official parachute display team
[1]The Red Devils became the official parachute display team of the British Army.
- 1964
Parachute Regiment Free Fall Team established
[1]Colonel Edward Gardener created the team, initially known as the Parachute Regiment Free Fall Team, and commanded it during its first year.
Products and positioning
A military parachute demonstration team representing the British Army and the airborne heritage of the Parachute Regiment.
Military public demonstration · 1964
Parachute display performances
The team's principal offering is a coordinated parachute display performed at air shows and other public events. Displays can include free-fall formations, synchronized parachute work, precision landings and ceremonial descents. They are performed by serving Parachute Regiment personnel and are intended to demonstrate airborne skill while representing the British Army.
Specialty parachute display
Large-flag parachute descent
A specialty format in which team members descend while deploying or carrying a large flag. The format formed the basis of the team's 2022 record-setting descent using a 450-square-metre flag.
Parachute formation manoeuvre · 2023
Pentagram
The Pentagram is a manoeuvre pioneered by five Red Devils members in 2023. The formation joins their parachutes at a single point and represents an advanced form of coordinated display flying.
Brand decisions
2023
Introduction of the Pentagram manoeuvreProduct launchBackground
The team continued to develop demanding formations for its public parachute displays.
Action taken
Five members pioneered a stunt connecting their parachutes at a single point.
Aftermath
The manoeuvre became a new part of the team's demonstration repertoire.
1979
Adoption as the British Army's official display teamStrategyBackground
The Parachute Regiment's display unit had operated since 1964 as the Parachute Regiment Free Fall Team.
Action taken
The organization became the official parachute display team of the British Army.
Aftermath
The Red Devils took on a formal representative role at air shows and other public events.
Recent events
- 2023
Red Devils introduce the Pentagram parachute manoeuvre[1]
Product launch
Five team members pioneered a new stunt in which their parachutes are joined at a single point, producing the formation known as the Pentagram.
- 2022
Red Devils members set record with largest flag flown while skydiving[1]
Other
Two Red Devils team members completed a parachute descent with a 450-square-metre flag, establishing a Guinness World Record for the largest flag flown while skydiving.
- 2022
Red Devils member dies during an unplanned off-duty manoeuvre[1]
Other
A member of the team was killed during an unplanned parachute manoeuvre while off duty.
- 2015
Red Devils member survives collision at Whitehaven Air Show[1]
Other
A team member became entangled following a collision during a stunt at the Whitehaven Air Show. His partner helped bring him safely to the ground.
Sources2 sources
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