The Greatest (Air) Show on Earth
Vayu’s Angad Singh covers the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2015 at RAF Fairford which is arguably the most beloved such event in the world.
Established in 1971, the Royal International Air Tattoo (or RIAT) is possibly the most beloved air show in the world. It may occasionally be eclipsed in terms of size and glamour by the likes of EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, or the big trade shows such as Farnborough and Paris, but as recent years have illustrated, nothing can beat RIAT at delivering a consistently high standard as an almost ‘purely military’ air show. The sheer variety and number of aircraft on the ground and in the air are hard to match at any other event on earth, with each edition of RIAT delivering at least a few ‘coups’ with unique attendees or rarely-seen aircraft from around the world.
Indeed, the Indian Air Force’s was one such ‘coup,’ dropping by RAF Fairford in 2007 whilst in the country for Exercise Indradhanush. Unfortunately this was not repeated for the 2015 edition, even though IAF transport aircraft were staging from RAF Brize Norton only a few miles from Fairford, with Su- 30MKIs just a little farther away at Coningsby ( see Indradhanush exercise reports in this issue).
Regardless, for a week in July, the sleepy Cotswolds turn into a hive of activity (and no small amount of noise) as enthusiasts from around the world stream in to enjoy this amazing spectacle. RAF Fairford, which is nominally under control of the USAF and typically hosts the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit and Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, suddenly has its gates thrown open and its aprons become home to hundreds of other aircraft types and many tens of thousands of visitors.
The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, organisers of the Air Tattoo, have always been very spectator-friendly: from 2014 onwards, the show added an extra public day, turning it into a three-day event (Friday through Sunday), and for two days before the event and one day after, the organisers have created enclosures at either end of the runway to allow the more committed fans to enjoy the hordes of aircraft arriving at and then departing from the show. For
many aircraft on static display, these are the only opportunities to really catch them ‘in action’ and the extra effort on the part of the organisers is greatly appreciated. The show services and side activities are equally brilliant, with a range of attractions such as the Vintage Village, RAF Village, Techno Zone, not to mention rows of aviation-related shops to keep one occupied during gaps in the action, while food, drinks and other amenities were available in sufficient numbers so as to minimise queues and crowding. All the more impressive given the sheer size of the event and its 150,000-odd attendees.
The theme for this year’s Air Tattoo Securing the Skies - Past, Present and Future highlighted, in appropriately forward looking fashion the Battle of Britain’s platinum anniversary. A special warbird segment, not too dissimilar from that at Duxford, was a wonderful juxtaposition with the national aerobatic teams, helicopter displays and fast jet slots at the show. The organisers, and indeed much of Britain at large this year, have been keen to commemorate not only the British element of the Battle of Britain, but also the scores of foreign pilots who flew and fought over the United Kingdom in the summer of 1940. It was fitting, therefore, to have flying and static displays from the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Belgium, Ireland and the USA.
One of the biggest attractions at the show—this year’s ‘coup,’ so to speak—was a pair of never– publically– seen– before Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft from Air Development Squadron VX-51 based in Atsugi. The P-1 flying display was short but incredibly vigorous for a relatively large four-engine aircraft, and drew admiration every day that it performed. The second P-1 was in the static park, positioned near its Boeing rival, a US Navy P-8A Poseidon from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-1 ‘Pioneers’ based in NAS Patuxent River, and a German Marineflieger Lockheed P-3C Orion from Marinefliegergeschwader MFG-3 ‘Graf Zeppelin’ based in Nordholz. The P-1 is also understood to have taken a number of British and foreign officers on a demonstration flight from Fairford during its stay at RIAT.
In addition to the Poseidon, a large number of American military aircraft, ranging from relatively common types such as the F-15 Eagle and KC-135 Stratotanker, to rarer special operations aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II and Bell-Boeing CV-22B Osprey from the 67th and 7th Special Operations Squadrons respectively, based at RAF Mildenhall, were on static display, alongside a pair of perennially popular Fairchild- Republic A-10C Thunderbolt IIs on detachment from the 354th Fighter Squadron ‘Bulldogs’ based in Arizona. The US Army sent two helicopters, an AH-64 Apache and a medevac-configured UH-60 Blackhawk. In the air, American participation was restricted to a single demonstration, but given that it was the dynamic CV-22B, the stars and stripes flew high !
Among the US companies, Boeing and Textron had a strong presence at the show, with the former displaying their Bombardier Challenger-based Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) demonstrator on the ground. Textron AirLand’s Scorpion ISR/strike/trainer aircraft, which has been on a European tour since June, was on display alongside an AT- 6 light attack turboprop aircraft and a number of Textron special missions aircraft. Shortly before the show, the Scorpion had made a number of demonstration sorties for the Royal Navy, even operating in conjunction with a Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control Mk.7 (ASaC7) from 849 NAS in Culdrose.
Another static park highlight was a three- aircraft feature on the 35th anniversary of Tri- National Tornado Training Establishment ( TTTE), with three examples of the Panavia Tornado from the UK, Italy and Germany lined
up alongside each other with special vinyl decals on their tails. The flying programme was a TTTE tribute, with a formation of Tornados, one from each country, making a series of flypasts.
Making its debut in the static park at RIAT was an A400M Atlas from RAF’s No. 70 Squadron based at nearby Brize Norton. Airbus Defence and Space’s own A400M demonstrator was also in attendance as part of the flying programme, and put up a display that could give many fighters a serious run for their money! Other RAF aircraft in the static park included a Sentry AEW.1 (Boeing E-3D) and a brand new Voyager KC2 (Airbus A330 MRTT) straight from the production line. In the air, RAF displays included two impressive solo displays, a Boeing Chinook HC4 from 27 Squadron and a Typhoon from 29 (Reserve) Squadron, and two multiaircraft displays. First of these was the commemorative RAF Typhoon and Spitfire Synchro display, a duet of a speciallypainted 29 (R) Squadron Typhoon together with a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire Mk.IIA, conceived for the Battle of Britain platinum anniversary. Seeing a WWII-era Spitfire performing aerobatics with a modern fighter is the ultimate sensory experience – visually stirring to be sure, but the aural delight of a Merlin and a pair of EJ200s running in harmony is truly wonderful. The other two-ship display was also a relatively new innovation, showcasing the RAF’s BAE Hawks in a thoroughly engaging ‘Hawk Role Demo,’ complete with simulated air combat, ground attack and close formation flying.
The Royal Navy and Army Air Corps also had a number of aircraft on static display, including older Sea Kings, the recently retired AgustaWestland Lynx AH7, and more recent acquisitions such as the EH 101 Merlin. The AAC also conducted their famous two-ship Apache display, wowing the crowd with powerful manoeuvres and dramatic pyrotechnics.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force, unable to bring their trademark orange F-16 solo display jet over for the Air Tattoo made do with an Apache display which, although a solo performance bereft of pyrotechnics and smoke, was enthralling nonetheless. The RNLAF also had a strong presence on the ground, with another Apache, a Boeing CH-47F Chinook, a Coast
Guard Dornier 228, a C-130H Hercules and a KDC-10 tanker.
Belgium and Greece both sent F-16 solo displays, and although the Belgian F-16 is an Air Tattoo regular, the Hellenic Air Force’s ‘Zeus’ F-16 solo team was making its RIAT debut with an elaborately painted F-16 Block 52 complete with shoulder-mounted conformal fuel tanks (CFTs). Both displays showed off the F-16 to fine effect, with plenty of hard manoeuvring and long stints in afterburner. Other impressive solo acts were the Slovenian Pilatus PC-9M Swift and Finnish Air Force F/A-18C Hornet, the latter proving to be a surprising crowd favourite with a loud, close display.
Several visiting European displays were from countries closely linked with the Battle of Britain, including Poland, the Czech Republic and France. Although not part of the British-organised Battle of Britain tributes, there was a clear feeling of appreciation for their attendance among showgoers. The Czech Air force had an Aero L-159 ALCA and Mil Mi-35 Hind in the flying display, with another Mi-35 in a commemorative Coastal Command B-24 Liberator paint scheme, plus an Airbus C295M on static display. The Polish Air Force had a single Su- 22M4 ‘ Fitter,’ a C295M, a PZL Mielec M-28 Bryza and a Mil Mi-14 amphibious helicopter at the static park, as well as a fantastic MiG-29 solo display featuring lots of hard manoeuvring and plenty of the trademark thick black MiG-29 smoke trail.
The French Air Force quite surprisingly elected not to send Capitaine Benoit ‘Tao’ Planche to conduct his superb Rafale solo display, but instead sent their famous Mirage 2000N ‘ Ramex Delta’ two- ship team.
Presumably the Rafale force has operational commitments in on-going conflicts, while the nuclear-strike Mirage 2000Ns are rarely deployed outside the country. Whatever the reason, the Ramex Delta team was very well received on their Air Tattoo debut – and they did not disappoint. The elegant lines of the ultimate pure-delta fighter perfectly complemented the flowing routine, which was flown pleasingly low and close to the crowd. Special mention must be made of the Ramex Delta display on 19 July, when one aircraft was forced to land with technical difficulties shortly after take off. Instead of aborting the display, the remaining pilot gamely conducted an impromptu solo display, to much cheering and clapping from the crowd, who clearly appreciated the commitment to providing a good show.
For enthusiasts in search of rarely-seen aircraft, one of the major highlights on static display was a pair of Northrop SF-5M Freedom Fighters from the Spanish Air Force. Indeed, there was a palpable air of excitement during their arrival on 16 July, with thousands of camera shutters going off at once. The Spanish also contributed to the flying display with their national team Patrulla Acrobatica Aguila flying their trademark CASA C-101 Aviojets.
Other national display teams included the Swiss PC-7 Team, Royal Jordanian Falcons, La Patrouille de France and, of course, the Red Arrows. The PC-7 Team, in their 26th display season, now have smoke systems on their aircraft, adding to the spectacle already provided by their stereotypically Swiss precision. At RIAT 2015, they displayed alongside a Swiss Air Force AS532 Super Puma, which provided one of the most dynamic helicopter acts of the show. La Patrouille de France are RIAT regulars but their display is nonetheless unique and captivating, and their DassaultDornier Alpha Jets boast one of the finest paint schemes in the world. The Jordanain Falcons, also RIAT regulars thanks to patronage of the late King Hussein bin
Talal from 1982 until his death in 1999, and the subsequent patronage of his son Prince Feisal, continued their longstanding support of the Air Tattoo as they displayed their Extra EA300 aerobatic monoplanes over Fairford.
For the Battle of Britain commemoration, 18 warbirds lined up on Fairford’s runway before taking off in quick succession. Leading the combined flypast were Spitfire Mk. IIa ( P7350) and Hurricane Mk. I (R4118), both aircraft that actually saw action in the Battle of Britain 75 years ago! The Messerschmitt Stiftung Bf-109G-4 ‘Red 7’ made another appearance, this time in the hands of Volker Bau, who flew a solo routine that was enthusiastically received by the crowd. John Romain also returned for a solo demonstration in the cockpit of his Bristol Blenheim Mk.I, followed by the ex-Indian Air Force Spitfire Mk.XVIIIe (SM845) and a HA-1112-M1L Buchón, flown by Ian Smith and Steve Jones respectively, conducting an enthralling mock dogfight, as it might have been in English skies 75 years ago. The commemorative displays were truly a marvellous tribute to the men and machines over the skies of Britain in the summer of 1940.
However, the jewel in the RIAT 2015 crown was another type of heritage aircraft altogether. Avro Vulcan ( XH558) has been a living legend since it first took to the air in 2007, following a lengthy and expensive restoration that was the result of unswerving determination on the part of the Vulcan To The Sky (VTTS) Trust to get this Cold War icon back into the air where she belonged. The beautiful delta-winged bomber has flown nearly constantly ever since, but rising costs and lack of technical support to maintain requisite flight safety standards means that 2015 is her final year of flying, after which it she will be grounded at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, where she will be maintained as a working exhibit to educate and inspire young people to join science and engineering fields of study. There was no question that XH558’s final Air Tattoo appearance would be an emotional affair for the show organisers, her operators, and of course the public at large. What nobody could anticipate was just how utterly spectacular her last Fairford outing would be. The take-off on Saturday 18 July will forever be referred to as “that take-off” and nobody who was there to witness it is likely to forget pilot Kev Rumens flinging the huge craft into a sharp 90-degree right bank seconds after the wheels left the runway.
The trademark ‘ Vulcan howl,’ the graceful turns and steep, noisy climbs are all quite impressive, but are also quite typical
of XH558’s display. The extra verve with which she was flown at RIAT 2015 made it seem almost as if the pilots wanted to give the old girl a particularly memorable send off from RIAT. Moreover, less than a month before the show, VTTS and the RAF Red Arrows decided to replicate their famous formation flypast, last conducted at Farnborough in 2012. The result was a sight to behold, made all the more poignant by the fact that this may be the last time this evocative aircraft flies together with the ambassadors of the RAF. XH558 may be gone by the end of this year, but if RIAT was any indication, she will certainly never be forgotten.
Come Sunday evening, as last of the turbines spooled down and silence finally descended on Fairford, organisers and participants had themselves a welldeserved party, which included an awards ceremony for a range of coveted Air Tattoo recognitions. The Paul Bowen Trophy for the Best Solo Jet Demonstration was awarded to the Finnish F/ A- 18 Hornet display, The Cannestra Trophy for the Best Flying Demonstration by an Overseas Participant went to the Slovenian PC-9, the coveted Sir Douglas Bader Trophy for the Best Individual Flying Display was picked up the German Bolkow Bo105 helicopter display, the RAF Typhoon and Spitfire Synchro Pair not unsurprisingly received The Steedman Display Sword for the Best Flying Demonstration by a UK Participant, equally unsurprising was the Best Livery award for the aircraft with the best special paint scheme, which went to the Hellenic Air Force’s stunning Zeus Demo Team F- 16 Falcon, while the King Hussein Memorial Sword for the Best Overall Flying Demonstration was awarded to the Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Flypast, a fitting tribute in this year.
At the static park, the RAF Airbus A400M display in the RAF Village took home the Northrop Grumman Concours d’Elegance trophy for the best presented aircraft, with the JMSDF Kawasaki P-1 receiving the runners-up trophy. As for the public’s choice, the As the Crow Flies award for the best overall flying demonstration, voted for by the ‘Friends of RIAT’ went to the Vulcan To The Skies Trust for a sterling demonstration by Vulcan XH558 in her final display season.