Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 General Discussion Thread

[Seahornet1]

True, that was at the slightly smaller Greenham Common.

[DAVEBRAD]

oh didn't realise that, near on 45yrs ago, but the length of the walk would have been the same...and a shade longer in 1994.

[seven]

Rumoured 'NATO flypast' on the Friday..
Rumoured (from multiple sources) U-2 'flying'..

2+2=U-2 flying (past) Friday only?

[James Cutting]

Queue the complaints about it being Friday only...

[Thunder]

Are the Saudi Hawks heading straight to Fairford or are they expected at Waddington beforehand?

[James Cutting]

I believe I saw a comment they are due at Waddington again for Families Day...

[GoldenPlane]

Rumoured 'NATO flypast' on the Friday..

Indeed a NATO flypass on the Friday!

[James Cutting]

Struggling to update the website, but...

- RAF RC-135
- USAF B-52H
- USAF U-2 making a "flying appearance" on the Friday
- LN F-15E's and F-35A's

As our American friends celebrate Independence Day, we have more USAF aircraft coming to RIAT!
On static display we will have a F-35, a pair of F-15Es and a B-52, whilst the U-2 Dragon Lady will take to the skies on Friday for a unique aerial appearance before parking up on static display for the rest of the weekend.
Joining them from the Royal Air Force is a Rivet Joint, which is another addition to Friday’s flying display as it will lead a multination flypast to recognise 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Typical, missing the Friday as can't get down till 15.00, and looks to be a great day

[markranger]

Up on main website now,
Fast jets for the Nato flypast will take off from Fairford so should see some nice variety of movements and maybe some nice variety of types ,

[seven]

Struggling to update the website, but...

- RAF RC-135
- USAF B-52H
- USAF U-2 making a "flying appearance" on the Friday
- LN F-15E's and F-35A's

RAF F-35B (S)

RAF Rivet Joint appears to be the flypast on Friday only and not staying for the weekend, which is a shame.

The U-2 is marked separately on the official site as static and flying examples, whereas the E-3 is listed as static only. The FB announcement makes it sound like it's being flown then put into static, whereas the updates section just mentions it being launched and recovered, and on static 'over the weekend'.
And a note to the lot down in P&V east on Monday, if you can see one out of the hangar, post it to give us westerners some warning this time

[jasonT1981]

What a great update again. Never thought I'd see a U2 flying. I didn't dare get my hopes up with that leaked sheet but that is something special at a UK airshow! Well done DBH.

Glad I added the Friday on again now. Very interested to see what is in the Friday flypast.

[seven]

Pointed out elsewhere, the SP F-16s, RS Herc and RQ-4 from the leaked sheet are missing, so that must be next week's update sorted then

[phantom6]

Lets hope for more F16s from the USA only two so far with they being the biggest operator

[Skywatcher]

Well happy days my absolute favourite jet the U-2 flying during the show

[seven]

Aaaaand I guess it's a safe bet the B-52 won't be leaving on departures day now...

PS why don't we have the headbutting wall emoji

[Flightline UK]

Aaaaand I guess it's a safe bet the B-52 won't be leaving on departures day now...

PS why don't we have the headbutting wall emoji

Well, it may be departing and arriving.......most of the following week.

[seven]

Unlikely, if that were the case they'd have sent more than 1. I'd bet it'll stay until Friday and then do a GPM on the way home, including Farnborough.

[reaper493]

Are the Saudi Hawks heading straight to Fairford or are they expected at Waddington beforehand?

They are expected at Waddo Tuesday I believe, presumably leaving Saudi on Monday?

[James Cutting]

AAC Role Demo posted on their Instagram they are back for 2024, being the Apache...

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9CknaEsRtQ/

[seven]

Page removed I guess?

Bit late though if true..

Edit, can be found if you search 'aac role demo'. The patch looks like Apache and Wildcat to me.

But have they practiced without anyone noticing? And again, would have been great at Cosford!