Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 General Discussion Thread

[Nighthawke]

P-8 is not replacing C-2 nor E-3. Both of those are carrier based/capable - the P-8 is not.

[Dennisblade]

There are no US Navy bases close to the UK and they do have the Boeing P-8 Poseidon which is a jet aircraft and sub hunter and replaced the turbo prop P3 Orion, Grumman C-2 Greyhound a twin-engine, high-wing cargo aircraft and Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye.

would love to see a P-8 take off a carrier

[Harkins]

If anyone has been to Fairford to catch the B-52s this last week or so, is the new hangar construction site looking more or less the same as last year? Just wondering if FRIAT stand departure photos are going to be a bit messy again. A few photos I've seen seem to suggest that there are plenty of red and white barrier things on the airfield still.

[red leader]

We'll anything from them would be good. They also have the mercury.

[somerset]

We'll anything from them would be good. They also have the mercury.

Didn't it cancel last year ?

[seven]

After receiving the Fairford weather yes

[James Cutting]

Starting this week's update with the return of the Royal Navy Black Cats to RIAT! The helicopter display team, flying a pair of Wildcat helicopters will be returning to the skies over RAF Fairford after a lengthy hiatus and will be flying every day at the show. In addition, the Royal Navy will also contribute a pair of Merlin HM.2 for static display, with the plan for one of the helicopters to be equipped with the Crowsnest airborne radar system.

Continuing the nautical theme, we will have the Royal Air Force's maritime patrol aircraft, the Poseidon, on static display again. This will be parked near the RAF Experience, at the eastern end of the showground. We will also have a classic naval fighter on static display with the debut appearance of Flying Legend's new F4U Corsair. This airframe, known as 'Devotion' is the last airworthy Corsair which flew in the Korean War, serving with VMF-513. Flying Legends GmbH will also bring their P-51D Mustang ""Frances Dell"" for static display too.

We're pleased the Polish Air Force are the latest F-16 operator to confirm their participation at RIAT 2024. In the flying display, their 'Tiger Demo Team' will showcase the Block 52 variant of the F-16, equipped with conformal fuel tanks. This display hasn't been seen in the UK since 2018, so we're excited to welcome them back to RIAT this summer. In additional, they'll also be bringing a F-16D for our 'Viper Line' static display, which should also be equipped with conformal fuel tanks. The Polish F-16s will be supported by a C-130 Hercules, which we hope will be remaining at RAF Fairford over the show weekend for static display. We will keep you updated about this and other planned support aircraft in the coming weeks.

Following on from our recent confirmations from the Royal Canadian Air Force, we can now announce a final addition to their static display area. As part of their centennial celebrations, and also part of our Flight Test theme, we're very pleased that a CH-146 Griffon helicopter from their Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment will be on static display at RIAT 2024! This helicopter will be transported to RIAT in their CC-177. We had a very successful planning meeting with our Canadian counterparts last week, and their ground displays surrounding their aircraft are not to be missed in July. We'll have the RCAF Band playing musical pieces alongside their aircraft, a marquee containing various Canadian cultural displays, and your chance to meet their centennial mascot 'Astra'.

Contrary to reports online, the Polish Land Forces will sadly not be participating with their new Leonardo AW149 helicopter at RIAT 2024.

[MikeN]

Hoping the USAF does not wait to the last minute to confirm who they are bringing. I know, we still have 7 weeks still show time. In the military there is a saying "Hurry up and Wait."

[James Cutting]

Mike - you don't have to post the same thing every week. We all get the gist you can't wait, but it looks like you'll have to. It may also not be down to the USAF but DBH.

Patience is a virtue.

[jasonT1981]

Eh, it doesn't really matter if they confirm last minute or right now, it's not going to make RIAT come any faster lol.

USAF are usually June/July anyway.

[MikeN]

Does the British Marines fly any planes?

[Supra]

Does the British Marines fly any planes?

Google says NO! (they does not!) It's really that easy. "Up to 8 Army Air Corps aircraft (Wildcat Helicopters) are tasked to 847 Naval Air Squadron in support of the Royal Marines"

[James Cutting]

Dear oh dear

[Seahornet1]

P-8 is not replacing C-2 nor E-3. Both of those are carrier based/capable - the P-8 is not.

I think Mike intended this:

There are no US Navy bases close to the UK and they do have the Boeing P-8 Poseidon (which is a jet aircraft and sub hunter and replaced the turbo prop P3 Orion), Grumman C-2 Greyhound (a twin-engine, high-wing cargo aircraft) and Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye.

Punctuation is a fine and delicate art!

[paddyboy]

So is syntax, verbiage and spelling

[James Cutting]

Do you have a link? I could only assume that it would be referring to previous RIATs (2023 had B-52s, 2019 I think was NATO flypast, might be wrong).

[thevulcan]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EYrfrb3-N ... 9yZA%3D%3D

Skip to 1hr 24 the video is definitely discussing this year.

[razor23uk]

Soooo... It's getting closer now, what are everyones plans this year? I am arriving on Wens and doing my usual stay at the caravan and motor home field, near the fuel storage area. Going in on the Friday, this year though, going into the disabled viewing area as wife is not well, so that's a new one for us.... At least I get to decide where I stop on the statics as I'm driving the wheelchair ... Then it's watching the Sat and Sun shows from the caravan, in an awesome place to view.... Last year's Spanish Harrier was directly above us when coming in for his hover display ....

[Vulcanone]

There are no US Navy bases close to the UK and they do have the Boeing P-8 Poseidon which is a jet aircraft and sub hunter and replaced the turbo prop P3 Orion, Grumman C-2 Greyhound a twin-engine, high-wing cargo aircraft and Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye.

Apart from Sigonella in Spain And various other deployable locations. And as already said No the P-8 isn't replacing the later pair. CMV-22 replacing the C-2, and E-2Ds replacing E-2Cs

[Thunder]

I think you’ll find that Sigonella is in Sicily, Italy. Rota is in Spain and Souda is in Greece. All three have permanent support facilities to support continuous deployments. On a side note Rota also has HSM-79 permanently based there operating the MH-60.