Part Two - Summer Sizzlers at RIAT

Royal Performers 1

An airshows main event is of course it's flying display. The flying at RIAT was, as ever a packed schedule. There were several displays which will not be seen at any other of the major UK Airshows.

A sunburnt Steven Hadlow / aircraftinaction.co.uk reviews the flying at RIAT. Photos by Steven Hadlow, Roger Hadlow and Michael Hind. All photos are copyright of author (Steven Hadlow) unless otherwise marked.

In the lead up to the airshow there was, as is the tradition a lot of speculation to some of the displays that would be participating in the flying display. This years programme represented another solid showing from the RIAT team with several air forces providing displays as well as a very staunch support from the RAF. 

Rare foreign flying displays are of course one of the main things RIAT has gained it's reputation for. However uniqueness in the flying display was not solely left to the foreign participation. On both days the Red Arrows took off and formed up with two Spitfires on the Saturday which became three on the Sunday. A truly superb sight and certainly the type of thing one expects to see at such a big and glamorous airshow as RIAT. The Royal Navy were also represented in this way with a formation of the four FRADU Hawks formating with the two FRA Falcons 20s which have been on the display circuit this year.

Foreign participation in the flying display was relatively strong in this present climate. Highlight on both show days for many was the French air force Mirage 2000C from Orange AB. Both Capt Yannick Vallet and Capt Fabrice Camliti flew a simply amazing display on both days which really illustrated the superb manoeuvrability of the well known Dassault machine. It was very impressive the way the Mirage allowed it's pilot to throw it around. Offering competition to the Mirage in the manoeuvrability stakes was the Finnish Air Force Boeing F18C Hornet from HavLLv 31 based at Kuopio-Rissala. The display from Captain Olli Siivola was superb, especially the low takeoff straight into a steep climb. A stunning demonstration from the American made machine. 

Another American made type was present with two examples in the flying display. The Lockheed Martin F16 Fighting falcon is another foreign fast jet type which is a regular to RIAT and this year was no different with both the Dutch display and USAF East Coast Demonstration team present. The show marked the first UK appearance by the attractive new colour of the RNAF Viper J-055 which, in your authors opinion is a marked improvement on the Teamwork colours that were carried by J-016. The USAF F16 demonstration was also very polished and credit must be given to the pilot for including some knife edge passes. Although the enthusiastic commentator ran the actual display quite close for entertainment value bringing back memories of the A10 display in 2003.  Unfortunately the Dutch F16 display was not given permission to include the use of flares as is his normal routine. His fellow RNAF display, the AH-64 Apache had no such problems. Major Wandent Brawdsen from 301 Squadron based at Gilze Rijen was given special permission to release flares as part of his display routine. One hopes that this isn't a one off and that flares become more widely accepted on the UK airshow scene.

The Apache wasn't the only Rotary type within the flying display at RIAT. The RAF attended with both the Chinook and Merlin displays being flown to the usual high standard. The Royal Navy also took part with it's Black Cat's display team in their two Lynx HAS3s from RNAS Yeovilton. The rotary aspect of the Army Air Corps were seen from both the Blue Eagles and the helicopters that form part of the AAC Historic Flight. Another interesting foreign helicopter display came from the Italian Army in the shape of the Agusta A129A Mangusta from 1 Air Calvary Squadron. The actual display was only seen on Saturday and appeared to be a little tamer than was expected, consisting of just a few banks at crowd centre. Despite this it was still interesting to see this aggressive looking helicopter.

Royal Performers 2

However the most disappointing display of both days was the Boeing ScanEagle. The UAV fitted the theme of surveillance and gave an insight into the future of air forces,  for those who actually got to see it or could see a video screen. The majority of the crowd struggled and strained through binoculars and lenses just trying to catch a glimpse of it and whilst what it was showcasing was a fascinating insight into the future one questions the decision to include a UAV that was nigh on impossible to view from the crowdline in the flying display. Wait until we can see a Global Hawk display before bringing in a UAV display again.

The USAF F16CJ display was not the only American representation in the flying display. As is always the case Fairford is the only place in the UK where you can see the American heavy metal of the B1B Lancer and the B52H Stratofortress in the air. The B52H this year came from the 28th Bomb Squadron based Barksdale AFB whilst the B1B came from the 28th Bomb Wing based at Ellsworth AFB. The B1B in particular is often considered as the highlight of the airshow with its sheer brute force and noise on takeoff.

Both display days were opened with a first for the RAF on the UK Airshow Scene. This came in the shape of a demonstration from a C17A Globemaster from 99 Squadron based at nearby RAF Brize Norton. This was the first time a Royal Air Force operated C17 has performed a demonstration at a UK Airshow. The Globemaster could be seen out in the hold to the north of the airfield around half an hour before it began it's demonstration. Another first for the RAF at RIAT was the Eurofighter Typhoon display being carried out by a Royal Air Force pilot. Squadron Leader Matt Elliott demonstrated the raw power of the typhoon in a display which showcased the types excellent roll rate and climbing abilities to great effect in the stunning weather. 

RIAT also saw several possible final flying displays from RAF types that are sadly on their way out of service. Over the course of both of the show days there were two separate Jaguar tail schemes seen. Saturday saw the St Georges cross Jaguar 2005 display scheme whilst on Sunday the RAF Coltishall 60th Anniversary tail scheme was showcased. There are only two Jaguar squadrons still active, 6 and 41. However they are also down for retirement in 2006 so this may well have been the final display appearance by a Jaguar in RAF service at Fairford. Coming from the Royal Navy were the quartet of Sea Harriers of F/A.2s . The noise was tremendous as the Sea Harriers hovered in front of the crowd and blew grass from the edge of the runway into it. A superb sight at any airshow. 

Display teams were not a major section of the display programme however there were still four international display teams in the display programme. The Patrulla Aguila were present in the CASA C-101EB Aviojets presenting their always elegant display. Whilst the Aviojet is a somewhat underpowered jet trainer their displays are still elegant with the beautiful weather further enhancing their display. Ever presents the Royal Jordanian Falcons displayed their four Extra 300s with their usual efficiency. The Red Arrows performed their usual high quality display to entertain the crowds in the blue skies. The Freece Tricolori were also at the show closing the show and each day. They presented their usual brand of exciting and flamboyant display. The only problem with their display was on Saturday. The smoke from their manoeuvres took quite a while to clear from the runway because there was very little wind!

However modern military displays were not the only types that were featured throughout the course of the flying display. There were plenty of civilian acts throughout the day. An unusual item in the flying display came from cargo operators DHL in the shape of a Boeing 757. Whilst it was never going to equal the demonstration from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 back at RIAT 2003 it still was an interesting sight. Vintage aircraft were also represented in the display with the Avro Lancaster and Hawker Hunter F58 performing displays in the later stages of both days programme. It was a shame these two famous types were on so late in the day as they could not be fully appreciated due to the amount of people who had already left for the gates.

Overall 2005 was a year where the weather combined perfectly with the vast array of military hardware on show in the flying display which led to a superb airshow experience, top marks!