Royal International Air Tattoo 2018

The Royal International Air Tattoo was again held at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and for 2018 it was the official International celebration of the RAF’s 100^th Anniversary. Whilst earlier in the week London had staged the National celebrations culminating with the impressive flypast RIAT gave the opportunity for the World’s air arms to show their appreciation. We attended the show on Friday, traditionally a preview day but for 2018 a full show day with the whole showground open and a full seven-hour flying display.

The large static display featured representation from almost all the current types flown by the RAF which included transporters, air re-fueler’s, trainers, fighters, ground attack, helicopters, reconnaissance and a drone. It was one of the last public appearances for the Tornado GR4 in RAF service and due for retirement in March 2019 but there was also a first for the show.  A glimpse of the future for the RAF was seen ahead of the show as history was made. A remotely piloted MQ-9b SkyGuardian made the non-stop flight 24-hour 2-minute flight from its base in North Dakota to RAF Fairford. The aircraft was controlled by pilots in North Dakota taking twelve-hour shifts as it flew over Canada, across the Atlantic, around Southern Ireland and making the British mainland over West Wales. The SkyGuardian is the latest version of the MQ-9 Reaper flown on operations over Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria from RAF Waddington. The RAF Village saw all aspects of the RAF represented including Regiment, Engineering, Police, Fire, Medical and a number of the RAF Sports including motor sport, sailing, cycling, bobsleigh, Rugby, netball and football. It was an area where the public had the opportunity to meet the pilots and team members from the RAF display teams, Typhoon solo display, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and of course the World famous Red Arrows. The static display also included aircraft from the RAF’s prestigious history ranging from its inception on 1^st April 1918 through the second World War, the Cold War and up the present day. Alongside the RAF were representation from the UK’s other air arms, the Army Air Corps, the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and Qinetiq. Adding to the static display were representation from twenty-five Countries from not only Europe but as far afield as Japan, Australia, Canada, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan and the United States. The Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7a Wedgetail aircraft gave another possible glimpse of the RAF’s future with that type rumoured to be replacing the current E-3d Sentry in RAF service. 

The flying display was hampered by some adverse weather during the day but the experienced team at RIAT were able to move things around and still provide an almost constant display. The show got off to a loud and fast start with the F-16c from the Polish Air Force followed up by Couteau Delta, a pair of Mirage 2000D’s from the French Air Force. The first RAF display was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from RAF Coningsby with the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane performing an immaculate display. They were followed up by another familiar site, the Red Arrows from RAF Scampton lead for 2018 by Sqn Leader Martin Pert. Due to cloud they were unable to perform their full high show but as usual still impressed the crowd. Both the Reds and the BBMF were due to be seen again later as part of the RAF100 flypast. Following on from them was the impressively agile Airbus A400m, Atlas in RAF service, that managed a great display in the hands of its Airbus pilot. The RAF Tutor basic trainer from 115Sqn RAF Wittering gave a good display in tricky conditions ahead of the Saab Gripen from the Czech Air Force. Two more display teams went up, the Swiss Air Force PC-7 team who also flew with the FA-18c of the Swiss Air Force before Patrulla Agulla of the Spanish Air Force. Next up should have been the US Air Force Heritage Flight consisting of the F-35a Lightning and a P-51d Mustang. Due to weather conditions the Mustang could not fly so instead we were treated to a solo display from the Lightning 56FW Luke AFB. Next up was due to be the RAF 100 Flypast, with components of the flypast seen in London earlier in the week including 22 Typhoons from RAF Coningsby and three F-35b Lightnings from 617Sqn RAF Marham. A weather front was closing in and as the rain got heavier the BBMF and Red Arrows sat on the runway ready to go as the rest of the flypast made its way to RAF Fairford. After some minutes the aircraft began to taxi off the runway and back to their parking areas and the news was received that he flypast was cancelled. Though very disappointing it was also understandable given the amount of aircraft involved. A thunder storm was just below RAF Fairford in what was to be the flypasts exit route and the risk was just too high to go ahead. People who should have known better questioned the decision and why it couldn’t be delayed until the weather had passed but the fact was a lot of planning and permission went into creating the corridor required for the flypast and delaying to a later time was not an option. After a short delay the flying resumed with the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 in its striking display livery. The RAF Chinook from 27Sqn RAF Odiham put on an impressive display of agility for a large helicopter. The displays continued through the afternoon before the closing section. The Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolari display team impressed, considered by many to be the closest rivals to the Red Arrows. The CV-22 Osprey from the USAF 7^TH Special Operations Sqn at RAF Mildenhall gave a unique display showing its transition from aircraft to helicopter. It was then time for the noisy conclusion as the much anticipated display from the Ukrainian Air Force SU-27 Flanker took place followed by the RAF Typhoon solo demonstration flown by Flt Lieutenant Jim Peterson of 29Sqn RAF Coningsby. There was success for the RAF at Sunday evenings award ceremony where the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight were awarded the King Hussain Memorial Sword for best overall flying demonstration. During the weekend they had flown their Trenchard plus formation of Lancaster, Dakota, Three Spitfires and Two Hurricanes. The Steedman Display Sword was awarded to the Red Arrows for best display by a UK participant. The Paul Bowen memorial trophy for best solo jet demonstration, a hotly contested category, went to Cpt Serdar Dogan from the Turkish Air Force flying the F-16 ‘Solo Turk’. The Sir Douglas Bader Trophy for best overall flying demonstration went to another fast jet, the F/A-18c Hornet from 31Sqn Finnish Air Force flown by Cpt Lauri Makinen. Regular participants the Royal Jordanian Falcons won the RAFCTE Trophy for best overseas display, they had made their debut in their new Extra EA330LX aircraft. The ‘As The Crow Flies’ Trophy is voted for by the members of FRIAT and this year went to the Couteau Delta, the pair of Mirage 2000’s from the French Air Force. Finally. Taking two awards was the CF-18 Hornet demonstration team from the Royal Canadian Air Force, they took home the Chief Executives award for outstanding contribution to the show along with best livery.

Though a flying display there is plenty more on the ground to enjoy with various zones. The Autodrome saw displays from various car clubs including Porsche Club GB along with the Wall of Death, old military vehicles and pedal cars for children. In the Vintage Village you could enjoy wartime style music acts, dance demonstrations, a vintage market, tea shop and bar and period displays. The Techno Zone offered a great opportunity for the young and old to learn about new technology and participate in activities. The zone is supported by leading aviation companies including Bae Systems, Lockheed Martin, Qinetiq and Fujitsu. There was also a large variety of trade stands to enjoy while most display teams also had stands to buy their merchandise. A large number of catering outlets, bars and toilets were also available around the showground when it was time for a break.

The 2019 Royal International Air Tattoo takes place at RAF Fairford from 19^th-21^st July with the main theme being 70^th Anniversary of NATO. Information can be found by visiting www.airtattoo.com

Photo gallery 1 – https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2238913263042820

Photo gallery 2 – https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2238923423041804

Gary Malkin