The Art of Design Issue 26 2017 | Page 138

138 • Limited edition Vanquish S takes inspiration from the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows • The third Q by Aston Martin – Commission by Aston Martin Cambridge • Tenth car will be gifted to the RAF Benevolent Fund Spectacular British aviation skills are the inspiration for Aston Martin’s latest Q by Aston Martin creation; the Vanquish S Red Arrows edition. Just ten examples of the Red Arrows inspired cars are being commissioned by Aston Martin Cambridge, each with special design features, hand-crafted interiors and graphic elements that draw on the visual language of aviation, as well as the skill and agility of the RAF’s globally acclaimed official aerobatic unit, the Red Arrows. Founded in 1965, the Red Arrows quickly achieved a reputation for incredible precision and awesome spectacle. Beginning with the Folland Gnat trainer before adopting the iconic BAE Systems Hawk in 1980, the team continues to demonstrate the very best in piloting prowess. The nine pilots of the Red Arrows represent a true team effort, transforming the razor-sharp reactions of fast-jet flying into spectacular displays that have thrilled crowds the world over, from the Goodwood Festival of Speed to important state occasions in the UK and abroad.