Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows

About this model

Cars and planes seem to go hand in hand. Whether it is the heritage and styling cues of Spyker or the exterior of the Lamborghini Reventón, it’s natural that lovers of one can at least appreciate the other. Apart from seeing a Spitfire flying, nothing in the world of aviation gets more patriotic than seeing the Red Arrows fly. Most petrolheads can tell you the exact place they saw them for the first time - for me it was in Falmouth Docks back in my primary school days. The Red Arrows, or technically the ‘Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’, were formed in late 1964 as nine all-RAF pilots. Over the 50-plus years that they’ve been active, the Red Arrows have graced the international skies with magnificent displays, becoming an iconic figure in British pop culture in the process.

It seems only natural that two icons of Great Britain would collaborate on a project. Aston Martin was no stranger to aircraft-inspired limited editions being that in 2016 Aston Martin Cambridge had commissioned five ‘Blades Edition’ V8 Vantage S models from their Q by Aston Martin personalisation division, and then eight ‘Spitfire 80 Edition’ V12 Vantage S’. However, for 2017 Aston Martin Cambridge unleashed a dramatic follow-up car, this time a tribute to the Red Arrow. Again, these cars would be uniquely detailed by Q by Aston Martin, but this time would be based on the Vanquish S model. Ten were to be made; one for each respective aircraft, and then a further example to be auctioned off for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The changes start on the outside, with the cars receiving unique ‘Éclat Red’ pearlescent paintwork over an Obsidian Black leather interior with Pinewood Green stitching, matching both the colour and trim of the Hawk T1A aircraft used by the Red Arrows. Supplementing the colour is unique side strakes (carbon fibre), sill plaques and sill cover plates that carry the car’s individual number, and a ‘Diamond Nine’ (the Red Arrows’ signature formation) is embroidered on the headrests. The back seats are removed and replaced with a bespoke carbon fibre helmet dock designed to store the matching race suits (red for the driver, blue for the passenger) and helmets that come with the cars. Some white touches were also added, with a ‘flash’ on the side strake edges, and a carbon grille surround and lower grille surround fitted.

The Red Arrows touches continue, with a carbon fibre roof panel embossed with a lacquered pattern designed to replicate the ejector seat explosive charge path, the respective aircraft’s serial number on the passenger airbag, and unique engine inspection plaque carrying the respective pilot’s signature.

The details continue even further: Red Arrows Squadron crest lacquered into AMi III screen veneer; ejector seat black/yellow handles on top of seats (for seat folding); emergency exit black/yellow door pulls; formation embroidery on door cars; ‘fly through’ shape on centre console, into split manoeuvre on rear parcel shelf; andonised centre rotary switch with Red Arrows etching; audio system on/off switch with black/yellow emergency button detailing; air conditioning switches made from recycled Red Arrows Hawk parts; satellite navigation ‘splash screen’ with Red Arrows logo; and printed leather headliner with Red Arrows ‘cockpit view’ imagine.

Aside from all these stunning touches, the Red Arrows Edition also comes with a plethora of extras including: a 1:18 scale model of a Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition and Hawk aircraft; the aforementioned racing suits and helmets; two Red Arrows team leather jackets as commissioned and worn by the team; a unique car cover featuring the Red Arrows logos; a matching owner’s manual; build book, again matching; and a matching key pouch. Each owner was invited for a factory tour on July 12th ahead of the handover event on October 24th, where all cars were delivered inside the Red Arrows hangar at RAF Scampton. The owners witnessed a spectacle of aircraft demonstrations, rides, and speeches culminating in a leather photo album and videos documenting the event. The list price of the Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition was £275,000, with Red 10 (the car in the picture) donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund and raffled off for £20 a ticket. Over £1.5 million was raised with Red 10 going to the lucky winner, an ex-serviceman, Humphrey Bradley.