Foreign Imports

The static park at RIAT has always been renowned for being a chance to get up close with types that are normally seen in the UK. Steven Hadlow writes. Photos by author, Michael Hind and Adam Noonan. All photos are copyright as marked.

There was less aircraft again this year with several gaps along the showground, however, this is in line with the new emphasis on quality rather than quality, and there was still plenty of the former. Where exactly were the RAF though? Vast numbers of the inventory were simply not there. The Tornado F3, Nimrod, Harrier (bar a single RN example), VC10, Tristar, C17 and Tucano were all among those conspicuous by their absence. The RAF are of course struggling with ever increasing commitments but it's a shame no examples of these types could be present.

Just some of the highlights were two NF5s from the Turkish Air Force, a R-99A from Brazil, BAC 1-11 from the Royal Air Force of Oman, two Sukhoi 30, along with an Iluyshin 78 support, from the Indian Air Force and a CT142 from Canada.

Whilst this years static, like last year, was a smaller affair than those we have seen in the past the emphasis has been shifted, in these times of ever decreasing Air Forces, onto attracting quality items as opposed to a large quantity. Certainly this approach seemed to be successful again this year as there were many types that got the shutters clicking, let's hope it continues in this manner and maybe if the RAF can spare a few more of it's aircraft that will help further the quality of static displays to come.