Royal International Air Tattoo 2022 - General Discussion Thread

[Campbell89]

French Navy flashing green this week

Hopefully Rafale’s!

Embraer Xingu

Going to keep quiet next time. B-52 is a nice update.

[James Cutting]

75th anniversary of the United States air force
And the Americans are where

Found them, in some B-52's

[Red-Eye-Knight]

US Navy P-8 Poseidon confirmed too

[jasonT1981]

Brilliant, never seen a B52 fly before.

Blades will do a flypast with the Boeing 727

Lovely to see the PC12 from IAC, Hopefully the special livery one.

[jasonT1981]

As our colleagues in Ground Operations begin the main efforts for the RIAT 2022 Site Build this week, Air Operations continues to be a hive of activity to ensure arrangements are in place for the 280 aircraft descending on RAF Fairford next month.

Brilliant news from US Global Strike Command, as they commit a pair of B-52 bombers to RIAT 2022! We will have one example in the static display (to be parked alongside the B-17) and another example which will launch from Fairford on Saturday & Sunday to perform a flypast during the display, a very welcome addition to our USAF 75th Anniversary celebrations.

Supporting the deployment of their Silver Swallows Display Team, will be one of the Irish Air Corps's new Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. The aircraft is planned to remain at RAF Fairford for static display over the weekend, with the ambition for it to registration '280' which is painted in special colours to mark the Irish Air Corps Centenary.

The US Navy joins RIAT 2022: They will participate with a Poseidon on static display, coming from their detachment at NAS Sigonella. We did specifically explore the potential attendance of the E/A-18G Growlers currently deployed in Europe, however their operational tempo sadly prohibits their attendance to the Air Tattoo.

Continuing the Naval theme... the French Navy have committed one of their Xingu training aircraft to the static display, which is very appropriate for our training theme.

Multiple other civilian aircraft have been added to the static display line-up this week, including a contingent from the 'Fly Fano Team' from Italy, helicopters from the Gazelle Squadron and Textron Aviation demonstrators.

Finally, we can now announce that 2Excel Aviation will perform a special flypast on the Friday only, with the four Extra 300 aircraft from The Blades in formation with their Boeing 727. The Boeing 727 will then land ready to be on static display over the weekend. The Blades will not be performing a flying display.

Sadly, as the show approaches, we've had a couple more aircraft cancellations, with Martin Baker unfortunately no longer able to send their Meteor, as a priority tasking for the Slovenian LET-410 meaning it can no longer make the show.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

Not a bad update today happy with B-52 in flypast and static, Pity about the US Navy F-18s but at least they tried, Not too fussed about the flypast with the blades but still a nice addition to the line up.

So gutted about Turkey not attending was hoping for some Phantoms but no matter the show is looking brilliant and still 2 official updates to go roll on 3 weeks

[Red-Eye-Knight]

From RIAT website looks like only Countries left in discussions are India and Japan as US Navy, USAF And Qatar have all went to confirmed now.

I don't expect much more to be announced now before the show starts.

[DanBeeden]

A pair of B-52s is a very nice update - great work DBH for this and efforts to try to get the Growlers to the show. I'm just now wondering if we'll see anything from South Dakota or Texas in the 'heavy bomber' category....

[Plane enthuiast]

And Missouri

[thevulcan]

What's the chances of a spare aircraft being bought over for the B52H? I believe in the past they have had two over the north side for airshow weekend.

[Mike]

I've never known them bring over a spare B-52 for the flying display.

[Arran J]

Anyone know if the b52 is flying on the Friday?

[thevulcan]

Will not be flying on the Friday in the air display. The static example will be present on the Friday though most likely parked in the blue zone along side the B17.

[seven]

Sadly, as the show approaches, we've had a couple more aircraft cancellations, with Martin Baker unfortunately no longer able to send their Meteor, as a priority tasking for the Slovenian LET-410 meaning it can no longer make the show.

I fail to see why a tasking for the Slovenian Turbolet means the MB Meteor is unavailable!

Jeez, does no one at DBH proof read their own media anymore? This year seems very below par..

Good update regarding the additions though IMO.

[James Cutting]

What's the chances of a spare aircraft being bought over for the B52H? I believe in the past they have had two over the north side for airshow weekend.

There was only 1 in 2019, static.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

What's the chances of a spare aircraft being bought over for the B52H? I believe in the past they have had two over the north side for airshow weekend.

There was only 1 in 2019, static.

And 2017 and 2018 if memory serves me correct?

[GoldenPlane]

I will pay you £50 if this is true. I can't see it being confirmed

Me neither, but just wanted to share the info…

BTW; we are trying to get the J-197 overthere…

[thevulcan]

I will pay you £50 if this is true. I can't see it being confirmed

Me neither, but just wanted to share the info…

BTW; we are trying to get the J-197 overthere…

Does it still wear the 70 years of 312 Squadron on the tail?

In terms of the B52's I was thinking the last time we had one flying which i think was 2012.

[Ollie]

What's the chances of a spare aircraft being bought over for the B52H? I believe in the past they have had two over the north side for airshow weekend.

There was only 1 in 2019, static.

And 2017 and 2018 if memory serves me correct?

The buff cancelled riat 2018, I think someone said it missed its arrival slot or something along those lines.

[DanBeeden]

I’m pretty sure the Buff that cancelled during the 2018 show departed its home base but had to turn back due to a tech issue. It wasn’t possible to get a back-up airframe to take its place.