The Royal International Air Tattoo returned to RAF Fairford for its 52nd running. Organised by RAF Charitable Trust the event welcomed air arms from around the World for the six-day event. With arrivals and rehearsals taking place Wednesday and Thursday the first public day is a ‘preview’ day on Friday with a shorter air display and reduced airfield access, due to arrivals still taking place for the main show days on Saturday on Sunday, while Monday sees all the participants depart. We were at the event on Friday and Saturday. As usual the event had operating themes for the flying and static displays and for 2023 these were Skytanker commemorating the  centenary of air to air refueling and the centenary of the Italian Air Force.  Both themes would see the event welcome some  unusual aircraft and displays.  

The flying display saw four National display teams along with the RAF Red Arrows. Making their return after twelve years were the Royal Saudi Air Force Saudi Hawks while another returning team after a long absence were Fursan Al Amarat the display team of the United Arab Emirates Air Force flying their black and gold MB339’s. The Spanish Air Force Patrulla Aguila were back along with Tattoo regulars the Royal Jordanian Falcons. The Skytanker theme was represented in the flying with displays from the Luftwaffe with an A400m refueling a pair of Tornados before the Tornados broke away and demonstrated the ‘Buddy-Buddy’ refueling system where one Tornado refuels the other from a specially fitted tank.  There were also flypasts from the RAF Voyager tanker and KC-135R of the USAF while Friday saw a flypast from a C-135FR from the French Air Force. The Italian Air Force was represented by displays from the Mangusta attack helicopter, C-27j Spartan transporter with its impressive and agile display, HH-139 helicopter, T-346 jet trainer and Eurofighter Typhoon. Other highlights in the flying display included the Swedish Air Force Gripen and SK60 solo displays, French Air Force Rafale, F-16’s from the Danish and Belgian Air Forces, Spanish Navy AV-8 Harrier and Finish Air Force F/A-18c Hornet. The United States Air Force was represented by displays from the CV-22 Osprey, MC-130j KC-135R and B-52 while the Royal Air Force had displays from the Chinook, F-35b and Typhoon FGR4. One of the main highlights in the flying was unusually civilian operated in the form of the Me262 replica from Flugmuseum Messerschmitt and operated by Airbus and the Meteor T7 operated by Martin-Baker. Unfortunately the one thing the organisers are unable to control is the weather.  On Friday heavy rain storms and high wind saw most of the air display cancelled, more of the same on Saturday again saw some cancellations which included the Me262 while though dry Sunday saw high winds.  

As usual there was plenty on the ground for visitors to enjoy. The large static display saw a number of civil and military aircraft on display. The Skytanker section saw some rare aircraft that included Italian Air Force KC-130j & KC-767, A330MRTT’s from NATO and Royal Saudi Air Force, KC-135R from the USAF along with the latest KC-46 Pegasus and the civilian KC-135R operated by Metrea Strategic Mobility. The Italian Air Force was well represented with current types and a number of civilian types previously operated by the Italian Air Force. Some twenty-three Nations were represented in the static display with some highlights including a pair of F-4 Phantoms from the Hellenic Air Force, The Royal Netherlands Air Force had a pair of their newly delivered F-35a’s on display along with the soon out of service F-16’s, A Polish Air Force Su-22, Qatar Emiri Air Force Typhoon and Hawk Mk.167, a good contingent from USAF Europe and a Zambian Air Force C-27j. A number of civilian operated historic types could also be seen along with demonstrator aircraft from current manufacturers. The RAF Village offered the opportunity to  see the current RAF assets on display and meet he crews including the chance to meet team members from the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Typhoon and Chinook display teams. The village also provided displays showing all aspects of RAF operations and the sports teams from the RAF. Other areas to enjoy were the Village Green with vintage stalls, food vendors, a bar and vintage displays and demonstrations while the Techno Zone saw industry companies provide displays and activities related to STEM subjects and the aviation industry. In addition to these there was also a number of trade stands around the showground, many with an aviation theme while a number of aircrews also had stands selling squadron related merchandise. 

As usual a  number of awards were presented at the show;

The RUAG Trophy for overall winner Concours D’Elegance  – U-208A Italian Air Force

Northrop Grumman Trophy for runner-up Concours D’Elegance – C-130h Royal Jordanian Air Force

Boeing Trophy winner Civilian Concours D’Elegance – Broussard Jason Prior & Phil Hall

MOOG Trophy overall winner crew competition – NH90 Display Team German Army 

Lockheed Martin Trophy runner-up Crew competition  – Team Tonka TLG51 & TLG33 Luftwaffe

Spirit of the Mett Award – Italian Air Force & Italian Historic Aircraft Group

Paul Bowen Trophy for best solo jet demonstration – Grippen E Swedish Air Force Andre Brannstrom

Sir Douglas Bader Trophy for best individual flying display – Rafale French Air Force Bertrand ‘Bubu’ Butin

RAFCTE Trophy for best overseas flying display – A-129 Mangusta Italian Army 

Steedman Display Sword for most notable contribution to RIAT – Typhoon RAF Matt Brighty

As The Crow Flies Trophy best flying display voted by FRIAT members – Rafale French Air Force Bertrand ‘Bubu’ Butin

Best Livery Trophy as voted by FRIAT members – Typhoon ‘Eagle Star’ JG73 Luftwaffe 

King Hussain Memorial Sword most polished and precise flying display – SK60 Swedish Air Force Nils Schylstrom 

Despite the weather an great event with plenty to see and enjoy. For further information on the Tattoo please visit https://www.airtattoo.com/

Photo Albums

Album One – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1179256450868979&type=3

Album Two – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1179270587534232&type=3

Gary Malkin