The Royal International Air Tattoo returned to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in the midst of the July heatwave the Country was enjoying. Once again organised by and held in aid of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. It was clear that Douglas Bader House had pulled out all the stops to make RAIT’s return a memorable on with a number of star aircraft both in the flying display and on static display. Not least of these was the popular return after ten years of the Black Eagles, the display team from the Republic of Korea Air Force. On their last visit in 2012 its fair to say they made quite an impression with their amazing display. We attended the show on the Friday which is traditionally a preview day with a shorter flying display and one section of the showground closed. Ahead of the main air display there was a bonus for visitors as the Czech Air Force Mil Mi 24v Hind and Mi-171 helicopters performed their accreditation display. This was followed by the F-16 solo display ‘Team Zeus’ from the Hellenic Air Force and the Royal Danish Air Force display team Baby Blue with their six Saab T-17’s.

The main flying display was opened with a flypast from the RAF Red Arrows in formation with an RAF Poseidon MRA1 FROM 120Sqn RAF Lossiemouth. The Poseidon then landed as the Red Arrows went into their display. For the 2022 season the team were performing with only seven aircraft which meant some of their more dynamic manoeuvres the team has become known for were unable to be performed. That said the team still pleased the crowd with their display under the leadership of Red One, Sqn Ldr Tom Bould, which started by approaching from behind and overflying the crowd. There was still the close opposition passes from the synchro pair along with close formation passes from the seven Hawks. Following their display, the team performed a final flypast in formation as each aircraft broke away to land.  Another formation followed as one of the static exhibits flew into RAF Fairford. The Boeing 727-252F operated by 2Excel Aviation is used for oil spill response, it flew in with a pair of Extra 300 aircraft from The Blades display team, also operated by 2Excel Aviation. Two displays then followed that were only flying on the Friday of the show. First up was the Rolls Royce Heritage Flight Spitfire PR.XIX with a solo display that really showed the performance of the Griffin engine late mark Spitfire. This was followed by a completely different solo display from the Leonardo AW149 from Leonardo Helicopters at Yeovil demonstrating it manoeuvrability and ability. Bringing something different was the Austrian Air Force who demonstrated their QRA ability. Using a C-130 Hercules to pose as a hostile aircraft a pair of Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled to intercept the ‘enemy’.  Following the successful interception of the Hercules and its withdrawal the pair of Typhoon’s continued to perform a role a number of role demonstrations for both ground attack and air defence. It was a popular Air Tattoo regular up next, the C-27j Spartan from the Italian Air Force RSV (test squadron). The twin engine transporter performing knife edge passes and rolls as part of its display that would usually be reserved for smaller aircraft. Another rotary wing display in the form of the German Army NH90 was next and it was interesting to see the comparison of this with the previous Leonardo AW149. Almost a Tattoo debutant was the Silver Swallows display team from the Irish Air Corps. In fact, the team last appeared at the Tattoo in 1997 flying their Magister jets, they now appear with their four PC-9M’s. Resplendent in their silver livery the team made a welcome addition to the flying display. Previously at the Tattoo we have seen the Finish Air Force display team, Midnight Hawks, flying their Hawk trainers, this year they sent their solo display Hawk. The aircraft wore a special display scheme and also made use of ‘smoke winders’ under each with to add to the display. Another solo jet displays up next was the Saab Gripen from the Hungarian Air Force who turned in another good display as usually provided by the air arm. Back to rotary wing and it was the Czech Air Force Mi-24v and Mi-171 back this time for their actual display. This in fact would be the last appearance from a Czech Mi-24 at the Tattoo before they are retired. It was then back to the noise of a solo fast jet and the FA-18c Hornet from the Swiss Air Force, another regular Tattoo performer and one that does not disappoint. The clear skies giving height for a full turn and burn display. The pace slowed next as it was the Spitfire and Hurricane from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight that took the stage. The pair performed a number of formation flypasts before breaking to perform their solo displays. As the RAF of the past landed it was the RAF of the present that took to the sky as the solo display Typhoon from 29Sqn RAF Coningsby started its display. As with the Swiss Hornet the Typhoon was able to perform to its maximum with tight turns, high climbs, fast and slow passes all of which showed off its black display scheme well. The main display was closed by the Tattoo’s star performers for 2022, The Black Eagles. Flying their eight T-50b jets in their black, yellow and silver livery the team turned in a display every bit as good as remembered from their last visit. Their dynamic display taking elements from teams like The Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, Frecce Tricolori and indeed our own Red Arrows.

The static display was large and varied with a combination of foreign military air arms, company demonstrators and civilian operators joining the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm. As usual there were themed areas to the static displays this year the main themes were Platinum Jubilee, Training and USAF 75TH Anniversary. The Platinum Jubilee section saw representation from the RAF, Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force joined by civilian owned aircraft previously in service with British armed forces. As the name suggests the Training section showed training aircraft from the RAF, Royal Navy, International air arms and civilian operators. It was here that some of the most notable civilian operated aircraft were on display. Having flown in earlier in the day the Top Aces A-4 Skyhawk would be in this area while flying in during the afternoon the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight Saab Viggen and Draken would also be displayed there during the weekend. The USAF 75th Anniversary section saw representation from the European based assets of the USAF including an F-35 from the newly formed 395th FS Valkyries of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath. The latest tanker in the USAF, the KC-46 Pegasus, was on display alongside one of the services longest serving aircraft the KC-135 from 100th ARW at RAF Mildenhall. Also from Mildenhall were the Osprey and MC-130j from the USAF Special Operations. Making a rare static appearance was the U-2s spy plane along with a B-52 bomber. Arriving later in the afternoon to make its UK air display debut was the E-4b Doomsday, this is the aircraft that always travels around the World with Air Force One. There was interesting representation for the early years of the USAF with a Spitfire in US markings joined by a pair of P-51 Mustangs, a P-47 Thunderbolt and B-17. Whilst making the journey from France was the F-86 Sabre of Mistral Warbirds representing the early jets. There was further International representation around the static display the most notable of these being Bahrain (C-130), Brazilian Air Force (KC-190), Estonia (M28 Skytruck), Japan Air Self-Defence Force (C-2) and Kuwait (Typhoon). Now a rare sight since the types retirement from the RAF the Luftwaffe had a pair of Tornados on static display while the Belgian’s and Dutch both sent F-16’s now in their final years of service. In the civilian representation there was an interesting display from Bristow Helicopters and 2Excel Aviation of aircraft they operate for HM Coastguard.

As usual there were a number of themed zones around the showground. The RAF Experience showcased all areas of the RAF including logistics, mountain rescue, catering, Air Cadets, Air Force reserve, medical, Auxiliary Air Force, communications and the RAF Regiment. Also there was representation from the RAF Sports teams including motorsports, rugby, cycling and winter sports. The experience also gave the opportunity for the pubic to meet the RAF display teams The Red Arrows, Typhoon team and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The Village Green and Vintage Village gave a distinct retro feel with vintage stalls, dance lesions and demonstrations, a vintage tea room and live music from The Bluebirds and The Femmes, Bunny Nightingale and a DJ. This area also had vintage aircraft and vehicles on display and also offered the opportunity to meet the display pilots. The ever popular Techno Zone is where aerospace and technology companies gave practical demonstrations along with experiment and activities to get involved in. Alongside the Activity Zone saw activities like the Fairford Eye, Electric go-carts and a silent disco.

At the end of the Tattoo there was an awards ceremony, the winners are as follows;

Paul Bowen Trophy for best solo jet demonstration;

Saab Gripen Hungarian Air Force

Sir Douglas Bader Trophy for best individual flying demonstration;

C-27j Spartan Italian Air Force Flight Test Wing  

RAFCTE Trophy for best flying demonstration by an overseas participant;

C-130 & Typhoons Austrian Air Force

Steedman Display Sword for best flying demonstration by a UK participant;

RAF Chinook

King Hussein Memorial Sword for best overall flying demonstration;

Black Eagles display team Republic of Korea Air Force

FRIAT ‘As the Crow Flies’ Trophy;

Black Eagles display team Republic of Korea Air Force

Best Livery Trophy;

F-16am ‘Dream Viper’ Belgian Air Force

Concours D’Elegance;

Pilatus PC-12 104Sqn Irish Air Corps

Runner up – C-130 3Sqn Royal Jordanian Air Force

Best Civilian Aircraft;

Spitfire Mk.XVIlfe George Haye Duxford

The Tattoo will return in 2023 to RAF Fairford from 14th-16th July. Tickets and further information available by visiting www.airtattoo.com

 

Photo galleries –

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.721029620025000&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.721744019953560&type=3

Gary Malkin