A solo fighter display

The RAF’s Typhoon solo display is provided by the type’s operational conversion unit, No 29 Squadron at RAF Coningsby, whose instructors fly it in addition to their training duties. The pilot is backed by a team of engineers and support staff drawn from every aircraft trade. The display was not flown in 2011 because of the Typhoon force’s operational commitments that year, and in 2012 it was provided for the first time by a front-line unit, No 6 Squadron at RAF Leuchars, before returning to 29 Squadron.

Commemorative schemes

Since 2015 the display jet has often worn a special scheme. ZK349 was painted for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain as a Hurricane flown by Flt Lt James Nicholson; ZJ914, known as Blackjack, flew from 2021 to 2023; and in 2024 ZJ913, known as Moggy, wore a D-Day 80th anniversary scheme recalling a 257 Squadron Hawker Typhoon flown by Pilot Officer Denzil Jenkins. Moggy later went to RAF Lossiemouth as a ground instructional airframe.

The 2026 team

For 2026 the display pilot is Flight Lieutenant Tom Nation, a 29 Squadron instructor who previously flew with No 6 Squadron at Lossiemouth and shadowed his predecessor, Squadron Leader Nathan Shawyer, through the 2025 season. He joined the RAF in 2015, converted to the Typhoon in 2021 and has flown operations in the Middle East and NATO air policing in eastern Europe, with deployments to the Falkland Islands, Australia and Germany.