The 2026 Typhoon Display Team
The Typhoon display circuit is a culmination of months of hard work, detailed preparation and concerted effort by the team behind the display. Whilst it is the pilot who displays the aircraft, he cannot even begin to do his job without the unfaltering commitment and backing from the dedicated group of professionals that make up the Typhoon Display Team.
This years team from 29 Squadron will comprise a specialist from every aircraft trade along with support and management teams to assist both the pilot and the trades, all of whom work closely together to bring you the dazzling spectacle that is the Typhoon Display.
The team look forward to the unique challenges that a display season brings and the opportunity to showcase the Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft to the general public.
With the future of the Royal Air Force firmly in our sight we look forward to showcasing the mind blowing display of speed, power and agility by Flight Lieutenant Nation and his Typhoon aircraft.
The Pilot
Flight Lieutenant Nation
Flt Lt Tom Nation (DRAGON01) was born and raised in Pontypridd, South Wales. He joined 1004 Sqn Air Cadets aged 13 and learned to fly with 634 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, where he became a Gliding Instructor at the age of 16. Growing up he was a keen aviation enthusiast and attended many airshows, which is where his ambition to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot began. He went on to study Aerospace Engineering at Swansea University, gaining a bachelor’s degree before going on to complete a master’s degree in Materials Science. During his time at Swansea, he was also a keen member of the Universities of Wales Air Squadron where he flew the Grob Tutor.
Tom joined the RAF in 2015 where he completed his Initial Officer Training at RAF Cranwell. He then went on to Elementary Flying Training (EFT) with 16 Sqn at RAF Wittering, returning to the Grob Tutor. Tom was streamed fast jet, continuing to his Basic Fast Jet Training course on the Tucano T1, at RAF Linton on Ouse. After being awarded his wings and whilst waiting for his Advanced Flying Training (AFT) course, he spent time flying air cadets on experience flights with 1AEF (Air Experience Flight) at MOD St Athan. He then went on to complete AFT and the Tactics and Weapons course at RAF Valley on the Hawk T2 with 25Sqn and 4Sqn respectively.
Tom arrived on 29 Sqn to complete his operational conversion onto the mighty Typhoon in early 2021. Chosen to serve with 6 Sqn ‘The Flying Canopeners’ based at RAF Lossiemouth, he flew on operations in the Middle East; NATO Air Policing in Eastern Europe; and deployed to the Falkland Islands, Australia and Germany. A highlight of his time on 6 Sqn included taking part in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations forming part of the ‘70’ formation in the Royal flypast. He thoroughly enjoyed his time on 6 Sqn but was pleased to be posted to 29 Sqn in September 2024 to begin his instructional tour. His role as an instructor has allowed him to teach the next generation of Typhoon pilots how to fly and fight in the Typhoon, something he takes great pride in. Tom was incredibly honoured to be selected as the 2026 Display Pilot and shadowed his friend and predecessor Sqn Ldr Nathan Shawyer for the 2025 season.
In his spare time, Tom is a keen Welsh Rugby fan and a self-proclaimed Star Wars nerd. He met his wife, Rosie whilst learning to fly the Typhoon at Coningsby and is a proud stepdad to his 6-year-old, Rueben who he intends to drag to as many air shows as possible.
Management Team
The Typhoon Display Team could not operate without the hard work behind the scenes from the management team. Led by the Display Team Manager, Flight Lieutenant Aidan Rae; along with Engineering Manager Sergeant Polly Grimmer; Deputy Engineering Manager, Sergeant Luke Addicott; 29 Squadron's Unit Mobility Officer, Acting Sergeant Scott McPherson; our PR Manager and Deputy, Sergeant Gaz Oldfield (not pictured) and Corporal Liam Reynolds and our Engineering Specialist, Air Specialist (Class 1) Technician Eve Brady.
The team are responsible for planning and coordinating the entire season. This includes producing diplomatic clearances, providing tools and test equipment, spare aircraft components, managing sponsorship agreements and all logistic support. This ensures that both Flt Lt Tom Nation and the supporting teams have everything they need to produce the exhilarating displays.
Engineering
The Engineering Team
The Engineering Team consists of specialists in Avionics, Mechanical and Weapons Systems. These are the technicians you will see working directly on the aircraft at Air Shows.
The Engineering Team is split into three teams, each named after a previous Typhoon Display Team aircraft. The teams consist of five technicians, led by a highly experienced and qualified RAF Engineer and contain each of the three aircraft trades which means they are able to prepare the aircraft for each display.
The teams are made up of engineers from 29 Squadron at RAF Coningsby, who are all volunteers and join the team in addition to their normal Squadron duties. Volunteers go through a selection process which ensures that each team have the required engineering authorisations to be able to operate the aircraft from a different location during the season. They are very experienced with the right mix of trade skills to work in these small teams - with specialist skills such as Engine & Structural Health Monitoring to ensure any issues with the Typhoon are swiftly rectified. They will be working long and hard to ensure the Typhoon Display Team deliver.
Engineering Officers
All Typhoon Display Team operations are carried out with the presence of an Engineering Officer, known as EngOs. Our EngOs are responsible for managing the risks of working and flying aircraft. Without EngOs we simply couldn't operate.
Squadron Leader John Mercer, Warrant Officer Andrew 'Mango' Singleton, Oberleutnant Vicky C, Flight Lieutenant Jonathan Machado (not pictured), Flight Lieutenant Chris Leary and Flight Sergeant Andrew Good are our Engineering Officers for the 2026 Season.
Team 'BlackJack'
Team Blackjack is led by Sgt Nath Cunningham, ably assisted by Cpl Jack Hennessy, AS1(T) Dane Puckey (not pictured), AS1(T) Josh Taylor, and AS1(T) Harvey Stanhope.
Team 'Moggy'
Team Moggy is led by A/Sgt Jack Woolgar, ably assisted by Cpl Ian Everson, AS1(T) Thomas Johnson, AS1(T) Algimantas Silkauskas (not pictured), and AS1 Ben Wilkinson.
Team 'Gina'
Team Gina is led by Sgt Ryan West, ably assisted by Cpl Samuel Griffiths, AS1(T) Charles Roche, AS1(T) Eve Brady, and AS1(T) Daniel Cheshire.
Public Relations
The PR Team are volunteers from 29 Squadron and personnel across RAF Coningsby led by PR Manager Sergeant Gary Oldfield (not pictured), and Deputy PR Manager Corporal Liam Reynolds. They are responsible for organising and managing the PR personnel at all Typhoon Display Events, a role which extends beyond just air show season. Sgt Oldfield and Cpl Reynolds are two of the five PR team leaders this year; Cpl Rowena Molyneux, Cpl Naomi Readman and A/Cpl Lee Mooney will also be leading the PR Teams at shows across the UK and Europe.
The PR team is comprised of personnel from a wide range of ranks and trades. If you see the Typhoon Display Team tent or trailer at an airshow, head over to chat to our PR Teams, who are excited to share what they know about the Aircraft, the team, and their role within the Royal Air Force.
Ground Support System
Cyberspace Communications Technicians play a pivotal role in setting up, operating, and maintaining the vital Ground Support System (GSS) essential for continued maintenance of the Typhoon aircraft away from its main operating base. This is achieved by empowering Avionic, Mechanical and Weapons trades with the capability to diagnose the critical engineering data produced by the aircraft's advanced computer systems.
The GSS Team may not always be seen at Air Shows but without their expertise, Flt Lt Tom Nation, the Typhoon aircraft and the team would simply not be able to operate across the UK and Europe in 2026.
The GSS Team as led this year by Cpl Jack Richardson, and supported by Cpl Michael Taylor, Cpl Cameron Beckingham, AS1(T) Liam Wright, AS1(T) Joshua Ryan (not pictured) and AS1 James Morton.
