Royal International Air Tattoo 2018 Discussion Thread

[James Cutting]

I can't think of anything about the forthcoming RIAT that merits a whinge.

If it's military and flying nearby, it becomes one of life's bonuses. There are no aircraft in the next life. Have fun, everyone.

Yours, grumpy, whingeing Charlie

Exactly Charlie, there's a lot there to get excited about well said Sir

[turmo]

DBH do a fantastic job year in year out, and it is easy for people to lump the blame onto them when in fact it's other Air Arms and/or countries that block these things happening

Well they certainly do a 'job' but perhaps I'm too old and cynical to deploy the superlatives. They run an efficient airshow operation but having a basic monopoly on multi-day UK military airshows it's hard to say whether they're doing better or worse than anyone else.

DBH get cushy treatment regarding attendees; as you say if an air arm declines they are given a pass ( 'oh it's not their fault, operational reasons' ). But if they score a rare attendee it's somehow credited to them! No, it's the air arm that deserves the credit.

I'm going this year because of the hype I've been fed for the past year about something special for RAF100. But so far, other than Su-22 and MiG-21, it's a grey-coloured 'meh'. I shall thank the Poles and Romanians for that splash of variety, not DBH.

But RIAT 2019? Highly unlikely. I've only been going since 2013 but regretfully feel I've seen all that's likely to appear.

[Nighthawke]

@Turmo - please edit your post as it was not me who you've quoted - it was James Cutting.

Thanks

[James Cutting]

DBH do a fantastic job year in year out, and it is easy for people to lump the blame onto them when in fact it's other Air Arms and/or countries that block these things happening

Well they certainly do a 'job' but perhaps I'm too old and cynical to deploy the superlatives. They run an efficient airshow operation but having a basic monopoly on multi-day UK military airshows it's hard to say whether they're doing better or worse than anyone else.

DBH get cushy treatment regarding attendees; as you say if an air arm declines they are given a pass ( 'oh it's not their fault, operational reasons' ). But if they score a rare attendee it's somehow credited to them! No, it's the air arm that deserves the credit.

I'm going this year because of the hype I've been fed for the past year about something special for RAF100. But so far, other than Su-22 and MiG-21, it's a grey-coloured 'meh'. I shall thank the Poles and Romanians for that splash of variety, not DBH.

But RIAT 2019? Highly unlikely. I've only been going since 2013 but regretfully feel I've seen all that's likely to appear.

grey-coloured 'meh'??

What about French Rafale, F-18's, Reds, Navy Rafales, Finnish NH-90...And more but I guess they are all grey

But find me an airshow that is on the level that RIAT is (In the UK) and none come close. With ongoing operations etc it's great what we can get. But you can't please 'em all. Don't like it, don't go, is my simple saying.

End of the day, it is what YOU make of it, not anyone else. I go because I enjoy it with my Father.

[lowlevelRAF]

I wonder if one of the RAF F-35's will be added later on, with them flying across the pond next month Still hopeful for RAF tornado too!

Never know what other aircraft will be added mind, closer to the date

[MRTT]

RAF F-35s will be present, yes. Not entirely sure how many at this stage.

[thevulcan]

I have heard rumours of the Belgian f-16 making its almost annual return. Therefore making 5 f-16s in the flying display. I would like to know people's thoughts on the huge number of f-16s in the flying.

[Nighthawke]

Which is the typo - 5 or huge? Many airshows used to have multiple F-16s flying but different routines.

[Gary]

The pilot confirmed on his social media, the Belgian demo will be at RIAT. It's all gone quiet about the Danish? Personally say the more F-16s the merrier. The AM/BMs are in the twilight of their service, so only a few years left with them on the circuit. People may moan about the amount displaying but it will be a massive loss when they are gone

[thevulcan]

Sorry just in recent years it is a lot I suppose

[Tiger 1]

Got to agree with Gary... more the merrier... a very proven platform which always impresses when displayed... and with 5 Nations displaying it at RIAT you will always get a little something that`s different to each display. Quite looking forward to them and a few more wouldn't hurt

Best rgds

T1

[James Cutting]

Sorry just in recent years it is a lot I suppose

I do understand where you are coming from - it is a lot - but, I am more than happy with this, love a good F-16

[warthog56]

I'm surprised at some of the comments on here regarding participating aircraft. In respect of F16's flying, the Air Tattoo committee have said that the flying displays on all three days will be different. From this I would suspect that not all 5 F16's will fly every day. Please also note that there is no Dutch F16 yet confirmed for the static (which is the "norm"). As regards the static, this event is also supposed to be a Royal review of the Royal Air Force. As such, one would hope that every squadron will be represented either in the air or on the ground - the flypast on the Friday is supposed to be 50 aircraft which approximates to the current number of squadrons in the RAF. Several other countries are yet to officially confirm anything, e.g., Italy, Eire, USAFE and the rather rare Norway (who are sending a C130J to Yeovilton). It would be nice to see Portugal return and some more middle eastern air arms but given the tension in that part of the world I doubt that there will be anything from there. I would also think that some of the TBC items showing on the Farnborough site might also pitch up - little has been confirmed for the trade element of Farnborough yet and a couple of interesting items that might also appear at Fairford (still showing as TBC at Farnborough) are the KAI T50 and the Super Hornet. Wouldn't it be nice if the Spanish navy AV8B booked for the public days at Farnborough could also call in to Fairforford en route? I don't know, and am merely speculating, but the organisers probably already have a good idea of what will be attending and, like all things today, are building up to a "grand finale" of something special. I don't understand the need to keep people on tenterhooks unless it's try and boost ticket sales! Please just be grateful that we still have the worlds biggest military airshow in the UK!

[James Cutting]

Well said mate. Enjoy it whilst it lasts, and make the most of it - we're lucky to still have it! People need to appreciate things more in life.

[herc15]

i agree, stop moaning people

[TREBAX_RAVEN]

i agree, stop moaning people

I totally agree just be thankful that we have such a great airshow.

[stevep22]

Just be glad we have an airshow at all given how the numbers of them have decreased over the years........

[mprl]

Couldn’t agree more, be thankful for what we still get in these times of tight defence budgets and reduced numbers of airframes in many Air Forces.
Matt

[sgtangel]

I find the support for RIAT here in the last few posts very hearting. We are so lucky to have this event

[david14]

Fully agree with the supportive comments.

Whilst it would be great to have the volumes and mixture of types from xx years ago, things have changed.

Ultimately, as has been written before, nobody is being forced to go to these shows (I think), so if you don't like what is on offer and/or don't think it offers value for money then maybe do something else instead