For further information, prices and bookings please contact us:
Telephone: 01980 634118 or 01980 634326 Mobile: 07710 384309 Fax: 01980 634311 Email: click here
Postal Address: Flying Gunners, 1st Battery (The Blazers), 14 Regiment Royal Artillery, Stirling Barracks,
Larkhill, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 8QT

First World War
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 still use motorbikes in 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 RA Motorcycle Display Team (MCDT) first performed 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. 
The high standard of polish and professionalism has been maintained and perfected by the team of today.  They 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.
"Flying Gunners"
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.  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. The team is self-sufficient and must fund its own activities. The soldiers are all from operational Regiments, many having served in Iraq or Afghanistan. All the riders are proud to be Gunners, but above all else, they are proud to be "Flying Gunners."
Each year the team gives about 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.
High-speed crossovers
The display combines breathtaking high speed double crossovers from four corners of the arena when closing speeds may reach 90mph, which shows off the individual and combined skills including 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 fitness, concentration, teamwork and professionalism. All the important qualities of the army's crack display team - THE MOTORCYCLE DISPLAY TEAM OF THE ROYAL ARTILLERY.