Royal Navy Black Cats cancel display as mark of respect to Lt Rhodri Leyshon

As a mark of respect to the pilot who died after his Merlin helicopter ditched in the English Channel, the Royal Navy's helicopter display team have cancelled their upcoming display.

Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon was killed when his Merlin came down during a night-flying training exercise on 4 September.

The Black Cats display team had been due to perform at the International Ayr Show but said on X: "We hope everyone who was looking forward to seeing the Black Cats understands this decision."

The Black Cats, established in 2001, are a helicopter display team that fly the Wildcat HMA Mk2 as part of a solo and pairs display.

They have been the first official Royal Navy flying display team since the Sharks disbanded in the mid-1990s and are requested to display all over the UK and at many European air shows.

'Immeasurably loved'

Several tributes have been paid to Lt Leyshon.

His family said: "Rhod was so immeasurably loved by his parents, siblings, partner, friends and family, and he was devoted to them. Our lives will never be the same without him.

"We are all so very proud of the talented, passionate, strong and loyal man he was. We will always have him in our hearts. Our wonderful boy.

"The family request privacy at this extremely painful time."

He was called a "shining light" by Colonel Mark Johnson, the Commanding Officer of the Commando Helicopter Force at RNAS Yeovilton.

Col Johnson added: "It's immensely sad that we lost one of our family. Lt Leyshon was a consummate professional and a shining light with a bright future.

"He epitomised our team spirit and his loss leaves a huge hole in all our hearts."

Three Royal Navy personnel were carrying out night flying training in their Merlin Mk4 with the carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth when the aircraft came down.

The Royal Navy confirmed there were no other fatalities or serious injuries among the other two crew members following the incident off the Dorset coast.

The Mk4 Merlin

The aircraft has been providing the Royal Navy with its wings and empowering the Royal Marines for more than two decades.

There are two types of Merlin helicopters currently in use by the Royal Navy – the Mk2 and Mk4.

The Mk4 Merlin – developed between the UK and Italy – is the aircraft currently used by Royal Marines, with several modifications for use by the Commando Force, which include a fast roping beam that allows the rapid deployment of marines from the main cabin door.

Merlins have served extensively in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan.