Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 General Discussion Thread

[markranger]

C5 will be nice.

[Harkins]

Italian Army a bit of an anti-climax

Definitely, with the Mangusta, various Augusta Bell types (206, 205, 412, 212) and the Fenice there were a multitude of more interesting types we could have had. Oh well.

The rest of the update is pretty good. Especially the return of the C-5.

The biggest surprise is there being no F-15E on static. How many years since we didn't have an Eagle in static? Maybe the 2013 sequestration show? And before that?

[Maverick1999]

To whet the appetite, US Navy are still invited on the RIAT website, as were Pakistan until moved to ongoing. Current embarked squadrons are:

Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, “Ragin’ Bulls” F/A-18E
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, “Blacklions” F/A-18F
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, “Tomcatters” F/A-18E
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, “Golden Warriors” F/A-18E
Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, “Gray Wolves” EA-18G
Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124, “Bear Aces”; E-2D
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, “Tridents” MH-60S
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, “Spartans” MH-60R
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 “Rawhides.” C-2A

That would boost the static no end! Also, there are no commitments from the East coast demo team that weekend either.... however I'm not suggesting they'd fly the demo pilot to the UK for the weekend.

The latest update sadly shows the US Navy & Marine Corps as declined. Sad times. I've seen declines in the past and then a last minute suprise so not compeletly out of the question but unlikely now. An EA-18G and an E2D would have been a treat given the theme.

[Zonan]

Wondering is they are saving it for next week?
They said next week they will announce certain flypasts on friday, Saturday and Sunday. Maybe F22s
(Wishful thinking) and F15s will participate in there?

Anyway, very pleased to see the Ellsworth B-1 and the Westover C-5

[Paul1983]

That's a Stonking update!!

[Gooner]

Nice update but a shame not to get any US vipers. Is the lack of F15 attendance in case they are suddenly needed elsewhere..?

[verreli]

Shame no US Navy but a fantastic contribution from the good old US of A none-the-less.

[Thor]

Nice update but a shame not to get any US vipers. Is the lack of F15 attendance in case they are suddenly needed elsewhere..?

Not being included in an announcement is not the same as not attending.

[Blackcat1]

I wonder if the Bone will Loop

[DanBeeden]

Ellsworth Bone is an absolutely superb addition.

[Skywatcher]

B-1B get in there ,C-21 ,Rivet Joint and MC-130 awesome work DBH .
Happy July 4th all serving USAF Army /Marines and the Navy-thanks for your service and all you do to keep us safe

[Andy Marden]

Italian Army a bit of an anti-climax

Definitely, with the Mangusta, various Augusta Bell types (206, 205, 412, 212) and the Fenice there were a multitude of more interesting types we could have had. Oh well.

Always a personal thing. I’m a numbers man.
I don’t need any operational Esercito 129s, 206s, 412s, CH-47s.
UH-169 would be my first choice, so well done RIAT.

[nashwa]

Little question about travel, I’ve never seen a B-1 flying before so I’m really eager for its arrival, but from what I’ve experienced myself and seen from previous years (albeit from B-52s) will it likely arrive first thing Wednesday, in which case I need to make more effort to be there earlier? I know no one can know for sure but any insight would be appreciated.

Also regarding its departure, I remember from 2023 the B-52s didn’t leave until a few days after, will the bone be the same? I pray to God it isn’t.

[rgml]

USAF has announced that all F-15E Strike Eagles, based at RAF Lakenheath with the 48th Fighter Wing, are soon to be redeployed back to the United States.

[seven]

Little question about travel, I’ve never seen a B-1 flying before so I’m really eager for its arrival, but from what I’ve experienced myself and seen from previous years (albeit from B-52s) will it likely arrive first thing Wednesday, in which case I need to make more effort to be there earlier? I know no one can know for sure but any insight would be appreciated.

Also regarding its departure, I remember from 2023 the B-52s didn’t leave until a few days after, will the bone be the same? I pray to God it isn’t.

Last time one came in it was a Wednesday arrival, albeit mid-morning. BUFFs are usually required to arrive before most other things, Bones not so much. The B-2 in 2012 was the last arrival IIRC.

Departure could be a tricky one. Depends if they have to justify the deployment or not.

[Pauld339]

USAF has announced that all F-15E Strike Eagles, based at RAF Lakenheath with the 48th Fighter Wing, are soon to be redeployed back to the United States.

I don’t think this is an accurate summary of what was said and by whom. And in any event I doubt it has any baring on their attendance or otherwise at riat.

[Plane enthuiast]

Will be operational requirements if anything

Maybe they will be announced next week

Wait and see

[falconfighting]

494th are out in the Sandbox, and also interesting that there is no C-17 either

[JamesA10A]

The dream of US Navy assets was short lived! Ah well generally another good update and it's looking like a decent show again this year with a few key star items (and hopefully one more to come).

As with others though quite surprised not to see a single F-15 on static, I'd initially suspected it was because USAFE assets weren't part of the update but the F-35 is 495th so I guess it must be due to operational reasons. Not a massive loss for me personally but (presuming it's not in next weeks update) it still feels like a thing overall, when was the last RIAT that didn't have a USAF F-15 on attendance?

[rgml]

https://theaviationist.com/2025/05/21/u ... akenheath/