The Royal International Air Tattoo returned to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, returning to its traditional two main day format. We attended on the Friday which was a preview day with part of the static display closed to allow further arrivals. A reduced air display was scheduled to take place on the Friday that included many of the star displays for the weekend and a flypast to commemorate the 70th anniversary of NATO. Unfortunately, a heavy rain storm descended on RAF Fairford along with low cloud which put a stop to all but three displays which flew early on the day. These came from one of the pair of Harriers from the Spanish Navy, The Airbus A400m and the RAF Chinook helicopter. The organizers done their best through the day to bring more displays but a cloud base that was refusing to move above the minimum required 1000ft put paid to that. There were still some arrivals for the show, the RAF Typhoon performed a full afterburner take-off, flew a circuit and landed while the NATO E-3 AWACS surveillance aircraft flew a missed approach and circuit on arrival. Mid-afternoon saw a highlight for the day as a single RAF F-35 Lightning flew down from RAF Marham to fly a missed approach and circuit before returning.

Once the heavy rain showers had passed it gave opportunity to enjoy the aircraft on static display and meet some of the crews. With the main theme of the show celebrating the 70th anniversary of NATO many member Nations had sent aircraft to participate. The Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and Army Air Corps were well represented as usual along with the main Nations from Central Europe and the United States. The Turkish Air Force had sent a pair of the aging but popular F-4 Phantoms while the Luftwaffe had sent a pair of Tornados, now out of service with the RAF and one of their Eurofighter’s in an impressive special livery. The German Navy provided a P-3 Orion, an aircraft soon to leave active service with them. Some of the newest NATO members from Eastern Europe also attended with Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia all sending aircraft. The United States Air Force contingent came mainly from their U.K. based assets with F-15’s from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath along with KC-135R tanker from the 100th Air Re-fuelling Squadron, MC-130j and CV-22b Osprey from 252nd Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall. These were joined by a B-52h bomber, C-17 transporter and KC-10 tanker all making the trip over from the States. Non-NATO countries in attendance included Jordan, Qatar, Pakistan, Sweden and Ukraine.  There were also a number of civilian exhibits from private operators, manufacturers and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Despite the RAF having just received the F-35 Lightning into service BAE Systems, along with technology partners, are already working on its replacement for the future. A full size mock-up of the Tempest was on display with representatives from BAE Systems on hand to give presentations about the project and what is involved. Team Tempest comprises of personnel from the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Defence Equipment and Support along with industry partners BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo and MBDA. All working together they the aim is to develop the technology required to lead the future combat air system that will see the RAF through to 2080. At the moment the Tempest has a cockpit that will accommodate a pilot but it is possible that in the future this could change with the aircraft becoming remotely piloted. The team have already demonstrating World-leading technologies in rapid timescales while continuing to explore innovative solutions across all its critical technology areas. These include propulsion, power, sensors, electronics, avionics, effectors and combat air systems and how to integrate them. Team Tempest is also involved in promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education with the aim of inspiring future engineers.

The showground also has a number of special themed areas to cater for all the family. The RAF Experience shows all aspects of the RAF with its non-flying trades represented along with RAF sports. This area also gave the public the opportunity to meet the RAF display teams including the Red Arrows, Typhoon, Chinook and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The Vintage Village provided a chance to step back in time with vintage displays, live music, tea room, dancing, re-enactors and a vintage trade area. In recent years one of the most popular areas is the Techno Zone where leading technology companies and institutions including Rolls-Royce, Dyson, Lockheed-Martin, Cranfield University and Marshall Aerospace let youngsters get hands on learning about the technology involved in the aerospace industry. New additions for this year included HM Coastguard, Skyrora and the ExoMars Rover. Next to this is the Activity Zone where attractions included a bungee trampoline, obstacle course and the new for this year the Fairford Eye, a giant observation wheel. There were also a large number of trade stands selling anything you could want related to aviation and a craft tent. For one long-time trader and Air Tattoo supporter 2019 would be that last year they had a trade stand at the event. Squadron Prints is the premier supplier of aviation prints, patches and t-shirts to squadrons of the RAF along with other air arms and will continue to trade on-line.

Fortunately, the weather cleared for the weekend and the both main show days went off with full flying programmes including some unique formation flypasts. The awards were presented at the traditional end of show party and saw them winners across the nations;

King Hussain Memorial Sword for best overall flying demonstration –

Saab Gripen from F7 Swedish Air Force

‘As the Crow Flies’ Trophy voted by Friends of RIAT members –

F/A-18c Hornet from Ha31 Finnish Air Force

Steedman Display Sword for best flying display by a UK participant –

RAF Red Arrows

Paul Bowen Trophy for best solo jet demonstration –

Su-27 Flanker from 831st Guards TAB Ukrainian Air Force

Sir Douglas Bader Trophy for best individual flying demonstration –

F/A-18c Hornet from Ha31 Finnish Air Force

RAFCTE Trophy for best overseas flying demonstration –

Frecce Triccolori Italian Air Force

RIAT CEO Award –

EAV-8b Harrier II from Esc009 Spanish Navy

Best paint scheme –

Eurofighter EF-200 30+25 Luftwaffe

The organizers of the Tattoo, RAF Charitable Trust, have been generous enough to offer anyone that purchased a ticket for Friday a discount of a ticket for Friday at the Tattoo for 2020. The 2020 Royal International Air Tattoo has unfortunately been cancelled due to the Covid19 pandemic but all tickets purchased will be valid for 2021.

For further details on the Tattoo please visit www.airtattoo.com further details about the Tempest can be found by visiting www.baesystems.com./tempest  to see the range of prints offered by Squadron Prints visit www.squadronprints.com

Photo galleries –

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2598522013748608

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2598536603747149

Gary Malkin