Royal International Air Tattoo 2019 Discussion Thread

[PeteHemsley]

Photos of the aircraft clearly show the arrestor hook still in position.

[Zac Hinchcliffe]

Hi everyone

I don't want you to read this as a complaint or moan, but I wondered if there was something wrong/restrictions to the MiG-21 display? Aside from the 747 pass, the Lancer display seemed like the highest and furthest away display on Saturday. Viewing was still excellent of course, but the photographer in me was a little underwhelmed for the majority of the display. Am I just forgetting how old these jets actually are now and their maneuverability isn't as impressive as the 4th and 5th Gen jets so had to take precautions? For those who were there, what was it like on Sunday in comparison?

Apart from that, I thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed Saturday (including the Lancer display!). For me, the stand out highlight was the Harrier display as well as the Belgian and US Viper displays. The Swiss Hornet and RAF Typhoon were close followers in terms of wow and for someone who used to like 10 minutes from Coningsby, it's a testament to the Typhoon display routine at how high up in the rankings it falls every time I see it. Loved the static park this year with so many beautiful schemes. I think the German Tornado was probably my favourite scheme, although the Nato F4 was stunning.

See you next year for more!

Zac

[tayloss]

I didn't really notice the distance, but seem fairly close on Sunday.. Saturday for me at least (being the first time), I had my mouth open, so I probably would have been happy if it was miles away!

Not sure why the show was so quite on Sunday, but it mean more room in the grandstand almost falling backward taking pictures of the Flanker!

[Campbell89]

I think the German Tornado was probably my favourite scheme, although the Nato F4 was stunning.

The German Tigermeet Tornado was awesome in the flesh and my favourite static aircraft, however I was blown away at the brightness and size of the Flanker.

I agree with the F4 though, both were stunning.

Think I’m going to have RIAT blues for the next 360 days until RIAT 2020!

[Zac Hinchcliffe]

however I was blown away at the brightness and size of the Flanker.

Absolutely! Considering it's not even a special scheme, that two-seater really is stunning! The size is phenomenal! It makes the Tigermeet Typhoon look tiny! Special mention to the D-Day F-16s too. Loved all of them!

Zac

[Campbell89]

Absolutely! Considering it's not even a special scheme, that two-seater really is stunning! The size is phenomenal! It makes the Tigermeet Typhoon look tiny! Special mention to the D-Day F-16s too. Loved all of them!

Zac

Indeed, I was like a kid in a sweet shop all day!

[Mike]

Absolutely! Considering it's not even a special scheme, that two-seater really is stunning! The size is phenomenal! It makes the Tigermeet Typhoon look tiny! Special mention to the D-Day F-16s too. Loved all of them!

Zac

Indeed, I was like a kid in a sweatshop all day!

Sweatshop? That doesn't sound good.

[Campbell89]

Sweatshop? That doesn't sound good.

Edited now, autocorrect strikes again!

[Steven]

Think I’m going to have RIAT blues for the next 360 days until RIAT 2020!

I hope that doesn't mean we get the "What aircraft do you want to see at RIAT 2020" or the "Wishlist" threads starting tomorrow

[Zac Hinchcliffe]

Think I’m going to have RIAT blues for the next 360 days until RIAT 2020!

I hope that doesn't mean we get the "What aircraft do you want to see at RIAT 2020" or the "Wishlist" threads starting tomorrow

A mass flypast of 747s painted in the black, white, yellow and red of the Marmite display team colours

Zac

[Campbell89]

Think I’m going to have RIAT blues for the next 360 days until RIAT 2020!

I hope that doesn't mean we get the "What aircraft do you want to see at RIAT 2020" or the "Wishlist" threads starting tomorrow

Well, now you mention it...

I’ll leave that to others!

[Malcolm]

There was a period in the late '70's and early 80's when there were many more military aircraft around, and many more diverse types, but airshow circuit was full of Pitts special display teams - The Rothmans Pitts Specials, the Dunlop Pitts Specials, the Marlborough Pitts specials etc, etc. This plague infested several IAT's at Greenham, and to this day I still can't stand Pitts specials.

I think both Fairford and Yeovilton do a good gob of keeping the majority of the civvy ***** out. Sure it would be nice to get a few more 'interesting' bits in the flying display, but ultimately Fairford is still the #1 must not miss show for the military enthusiast.

Had a call from a relative in Australia yesterday who was watching it online - and his 'wow' display was the BA 747 with the reds. He obviously needs educating, but it wouldn't surprise me if many other of the Joe public at the show thought the same. For me it was the A-400M almost upside down in the cloudbase - I went Friday and only about 5 things actually flew

[Campbell89]

What other air shows are there of a similar calibre to RIAT?

[sgtangel]

What other air shows are there of a similar calibre to RIAT?

Quite

[sabrejet]

There was a period in the late '70's and early 80's when there were many more military aircraft around, and many more diverse types, but airshow circuit was full of Pitts special display teams - The Rothmans Pitts Specials, the Dunlop Pitts Specials, the Marlborough Pitts specials etc, etc. This plague infested several IAT's at Greenham, and to this day I still can't stand Pitts specials.

I think both Fairford and Yeovilton do a good gob of keeping the majority of the civvy ***** out. Sure it would be nice to get a few more 'interesting' bits in the flying display, but ultimately Fairford is still the #1 must not miss show for the military enthusiast.

Had a call from a relative in Australia yesterday who was watching it online - and his 'wow' display was the BA 747 with the reds. He obviously needs educating, but it wouldn't surprise me if many other of the Joe public at the show thought the same. For me it was the A-400M almost upside down in the cloudbase - I went Friday and only about 5 things actually flew

Hilarious. I went to most of the Greenham IAT's and don't remember it that way. Highlight of the 1977 IAT? A civil P-51!! And I'm sure I don't recall any of those Pitts teams performing concurrently or at the same show. And a civilian Hunter too. Yes IAT/RIAT is military-orientated but the civil stuff has a place too. Just maybe not two Extra aero teams in the same day. Oh and as a non-Joe Public with 45 years of airshows and 39 years in the aviation industry, I also thought the BA (BOAC) 747 flyby was the business. Back in my day we called them The Red Arrows though...

[GVLCN]

I really enjoyed this year, I thought the pilots & crew were fantastic. Allowing great access to the aircraft with great merchandise, although it did feel like they missed a trick not having the nato flypast on Sunday aswell! When the Belgian F-16’s left Saturday I personally would have thought the NATO flypast aircraft could have been brought over to pack out the static.

Apart from this any airshow with phantoms & a mig-21 is a great show for me, especially when you get to sit in one of the phantoms!

[John flightpath]

How the chuffin heck did you get to sit in one of the Phantoms ???

John 'flightpath'.

[david coughlan]

My take for what its worth

Travelled down Sunday for the show, stayed over for departures on Monday.
I have been the last 20 years always enjoyed it, some years better than others. Mig 21 ,Spanish Harriers,Flanker were the highlights for rarities flying wise. Compared to the Saturday the Sunday appears to have missed out on several displays for one reason or another. 12.00-230 on sunday in my opinion there were too many light props displaying and I did miss the major usaf aircraft displaying B1, B52.F22 or even a F35 (Uk or US)
Monday I thoroughly enjoyed at the park and view from 9.00-3.30
I do appreciate all the other factors involved in running the show but for me it was just not one of the better years

[Steven]

I don't see how you can "miss" seeing the USAF DISPLAY a B-52....maybe those more enlightened than me can shed light on the last time that happened at RIAT (Flying and not Flypast)?

And the last time I can personally find the USAF performing a flying display with the B-1 was 2007??

As for the F-22 you must remember that there is only one F-22 demo pilot in the USAF and he has many events to display at inside the United States - getting an F-22 display should, in my opinion, be considered a major coup if it performs in the UK rather than being a yard stick by which RIAT's should be judged. If memory serves, aside from back to back appearances in 2016 and 2017 wasn't 2008 the last time before that?

617 Squadron provided an F-35B Lightning on the Friday and Saturday so whilst you didn't get to see it on Sunday, the Air Tattoo secured its appearance at this years show nonetheless.

I'm all for criticism of the Air Tattoo if you didn't enjoy it, but listing those examples as reasons why this years RIAT wasn't good enough are in my opinion not valid.

[John flightpath]

B52 display was either 2005 or 2006. There was a B1 at the same time. However you don't expect to see those a/c in the air at the show on a regular basis. Was happy to see the KC10, KC135 , C130, F15 on staitic and 3 F15's in the flypast + others.

Already planning for next year.

John 'flightpath'