[2] The Royal Air Force Flying College was formed at RAF Manby on 1 June 1949 and operated various aircraft including Percival Prentices, Percival Provosts, Gloster Meteors, Handley Page Hastings, and Hawker Hunters amongst others.

[6] The unit was disbanded on 1 July 1962 and became the Royal Air Force College of Air Warfare which operated Vickers Valettas, Vickers Varsitys, English Electric Canberras, BAC Jet Provosts and Hawker Siddeley Dominies amongst others.

[7][4] The College formed a display team in 1965, called "The Magistrates" with the name originating from the initials "JP", the common nickname for the Jet Provost.

From 1969 the Jet Provosts adopted the now-standard red/white/grey scheme but had special team markings applied.

During the 1971 and 1972 display seasons the team was led by Flt Lt Brian Hoskins, and he later went on to lead the Red Arrows.