Royal International Air Tattoo 2017 Discussion Thread

[MRTT]

Warthog, the Ospreys due to appear at RIAT are USAFSOC CV-22Bs, Trump would use HMX-1 MV-22s, the participation at RIAT has no connection whatsoever. I think it's pretty clear that he won't be visiting Fairford during RIAT.

[foxycub]

Keeping my fingers crossed that we get a 4th July announcement confirming the flying programme for Friday. I think that last year the flying programme for Friday was announced two weeks before, so by that measure it's already overdue.

[Gary]

USAFE flypast confirmed

Happy Independence Day to our American friends! Today we can confirm the United States Air Force Europe will be performing a special 70th Anniversary flypast on all three days of the Air Tattoo!

This celebration will feature a number of USAFE aircraft performing the flypast! This is in addition to those already announced for the static display, these flypast aircraft will not be operating from Fairford.

C-130J - from 37th Airlift Squadron based at Ramstein, Germany.
KC-135R - an air-to-air refuelling tanker from 351st Air Refuelling Squadron, RAF Mildenhall.
F-15C - one of the most successful combat aircraft in USAF history, operated by the 493rd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath
F-15E - a highly versatile combat aircraft that saw its combat debut in the 1991 Gulf War and has been a mainstay of USAF operations ever since.
F-16C - flown by the 480th Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem,Germany, in both the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. 

I'm guessing the F-16 and C-130 operating out of Mildenhall or LN, long trek from Germany

[sabrejet]

USAFE flypast confirmed

I'm guessing the F-16 and C-130 operating out of Mildenhall or LN, long trek from Germany

Hercs can go a looong way beyond Germany you know!

[Gary]

Yes, but if you are doing the flypast three day's in a row. It makes no sense adding an hour plus to each flight, other than adding to the aircrews hours

[bizfreeq]

Hercs can go a looong way beyond Germany you know!

Yes but it states that it is USAFE that are doing the flypast and their Hercs are based in Germany! (discounting the spec ops ones at the Hall of course)

[iskra750]

sabrejet wrote:
Hercs can go a looong way beyond Germany you know!


Yes but it states that it is USAFE that are doing the flypast and their Hercs are based in Germany! (discounting the spec ops ones at the Hall of course)

They could pre position the RS Hercs at The Hall!!

[Rory76]

Can't imagine them doing anything other than pre positioning the F-16s and Hercs at Lakenheath or Mildenhall to be honest. Not with it being a balbo as opposed to individual flypasts.

[plmc135]

Suspect they will need to do some practice before the Friday. Hope they can find Fairford and it will not be like years gone by efforts at flypasts!

[Gary]

I can't see them needing much practice, I would expect it will the C-130 leading the KC-135 with the fast jest in a standard AR formation one on either wing and the other pretending to be plugged in. Rather than one big formation, could be wrong though

[Rory76]

I can't see them needing much practice, I would expect it will the C-130 leading the KC-135 with the fast jest in a standard AR formation one on either wing and the other pretending to be plugged in. Rather than one big formation, could be wrong though

And there I was hoping they'd do the Shuttle Bend or something....

[Bucky P]

They could all operate from Fairford, 3 fighters and a couple of heavies, not exactly a mass flypast and similar things have operated from there before.

[luke28]

They could all operate from Fairford, 3 fighters and a couple of heavies, not exactly a mass flypast and similar things have operated from there before.

They could, but its already been stated that they won't.

[Al dunn]

Where has it been stated they wont be operating from RAF Fairford

[James Cutting]

Where has it been stated they wont be operating from RAF Fairford

In the press release for it...

"This is in addition to those already announced for the static display, these flypast aircraft will not be operating from Fairford."

[bizfreeq]

Where has it been stated they wont be operating from RAF Fairford

About 11 posts before your one

[slinky1989]

Any idea when we'll start to see arrival schedules come out? I've got a ticket for P&V Thursday so want to see how to plan the day.

[Gary]

Each morning as usual, unless some of the people who have access to the flight plan systems give advance heads up. Heard the Thunderbirds will arrive the first part of the week before the P&V area open on Wednesday, which might upset a few people.

So expect the ALTRV up on Friday if true

[luke28]

I don't think arrival schedules get released, i'm doing the Thursday arrivals aswell so hopefully we picked rge right day

[plmc135]

I can't see them needing much practice, I would expect it will the C-130 leading the KC-135 with the fast jest in a standard AR formation one on either wing and the other pretending to be plugged in. Rather than one big formation, could be wrong though

By that logic, the RAF should never need a practice for the annual Queen's flypast, I will be very surprised if they do not perform some sort of training run before RIAT.