TWO YEARS ago, the British weather intervened and the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) was completely washed out and the paying public did not get to see the F22A Raptor display.
Still stealing the limelight, the sole flying Avro Vulcan takes off for its display at RIAT.
This year the weather was kinder and for those thousands of spectators who turned out, the wait was well worth it. This awesome aircraft was put through its display routine with such aplomb by pilot Major David “Zeke” Skalicky, that he won a number of the flying display awards at the after show party, including the King Hussein Memorial Sword for the best overall flying display.
The performance of the F.22 Raptor had the crowd on its feet.
In 1940, the Battle of Britain was being fought out in the skies over the UK. Seventy years later, special tributes were flown during the RIAT and other shows in the UK to commemorate this event. Spitfires and a sole Hurricane, together with their Bf-109 adversaries took to the air in commemoration, followed by flypasts of modern aircraft, flown by nations involved in the conflict.
One of the prime exhibits at RIAT was what is believed to be the only airworthy Battle of Britain Hurricane still in existence which came to Fairford for the staging the flagship public commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. One of those who took particular interest in Hurricane R4118 was Battle of Britain pilot, Wing Commander Bob Foster, DFC, seen with the aircraft in the accompanying photograph (opposite page top). Wg Cdr Foster joined the RAF in 1939 and was posted to 605 Squadron. During the Battle of Britain he flew Hurricane R4118 on several missions, including one in which he damaged two JU-88s and shared one kill.
The Airbus A400M made its maiden appearance in the UK at RIAT before going on to Farnborough.
He also saw action in the Pacific arena, helping defend the Darwin area of Northern Australia from Japanese attacks throughout 1943, and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944. His Hurricane was sent to India as a training aircraft in 1943 where it remained until being discovered and returned to England in 2001.
Wing Commander Bob Foster with “his” Hurricane at Fairford
There was also another anniversary celebrated as this year marked the 50th year since the crowd favourite, Vulcan XH558, first flew. With its nose now sporting the words “Spirit of Great Britain”, it is sometimes hard to believe that this huge delta-winged aircraft first flew so long ago.
Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM MLU during a low and slow fly past.
Making its UK air show debut, the Airbus A400M, looking to replace the venerable C-130 as the transporter of choice for many European air forces, ably demonstrated its short take off capabilities and agility. When it enters service, initially with the French Air Force in 2012, this aircraft, with its fly-by-wire controls, glass cockpit and carbon fibre reinforced plastic wings, will have a substantially greater load capacity and longer range than the aircraft it replaces.
With its combination of old and new, military and civilian aircraft, international display team and other attractions, RIAT continues to be the air show of choice for the aviation enthusiast and, with next year seeing the 40th anniversary of the air tattoo, many are already wondering what next year’s show will bring. Judging by its history, the organisers will not disappoint.
