Royal International Air Tattoo 2006

Words Remco Donselaar

For the third year in succession Touchdown Aviation was present at the Royal International Air Tattoo. This years show was held in the weekend of 15 and 16 July 2006 at RAF Fairford, UK. With a low cloud base starting in the morning, but clear blue skies later on with temperatures rising up to 30 degrees during both days, it were perfect conditions for excellent air show photography!

The show consisted of a wide variety of aircraft. From the Royal Army Historical flight up to the latest fighters in the world like the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen and MiG-29M. The flying program started both days around 9.45am and ended (at the Sunday) around 6.30pm! Almost no gaps were noticed between the displays.

This years RIAT themes, mainly for the static show, were: Rapid Global Effect and Army Aviation. TRI@ RIAT was a theme set up to inspire young people to try something different in mechanics. Therefore a large part of the static area was taken by a small race track and a track for robot battles.

During both days a total of 167.000 people attended the show ground. Around the base another large number of people were watching the show which was one of the best shows given in the last years of RIAT.

We were present both show days at the opposite of the runway, this spot is perfect for some great pictures. On the Saturday we were also at the show ground. Our UK colleagues Mike and Stuart were also present the days before and after the show.

Enjoy our report is split up in 7 parts and which contains a record of pictures.

But first the arrivals:

Arrivals

Words and photographs Mike Freer, additional photography Stuart Freer

The RIAT is the largest gathering of military Air Arms to be held anywhere in the world. Not only does it attract Air Forces from all corners of the globe, but many thousands of aviation enthusiasts and photographers descend on this picturesque airfield set in the heart of Gloucestershire. For many, the arrival and departure days are as eagerly awaited as the flying display itself. With fine sunny conditions this year, the enthusiasts were not disappointed.

Things have moved on somewhat since the very first time the gates were open at RAF Greenham Common in the mid 1970s and a small gathering of photographers were allowed access to the side of the runway, held back only by a small rope barrier. Nowadays, one has to pay for the privilege of being positioned at either end of the runway, but the photo opportunities are simply superb.

By far the most popular location is the 27 end of the runway and good landing shots can be obtained here as well as taxiing shots as they cross the runway over the “piano key” markings. Unfortunately, it tends to get a little too crowded and arguments have been known to break out because of photographers with step-ladders obscuring the view of others. Areas have now been set aside for the “step-ladder brigade”.

The 09 (Marston Masey) end of the runway is favoured by the more discerning photographers who wish to relax in less crowded surroundings. The author and his friends can be found in this location enjoying a more genteel experience with time for wine, pasta and salads with a game of football thrown in for good measure during the quieter moments. We have been named the “Gentlemen’s Club” of which honorary membership is much sought after.

The backdrop to taxiing shots at the 09 end is one of the best in the UK. However, one major problem is that not all aircraft run to the end of the runway and some turn off either North or South side at other intersections. The situation can prove a little frustrating at times, if one of the “star” attractions fails to run long and turn on the loop in front of the photographers.

This year’s RIAT was one of the better ones for photography at the 09 end of the runway, with most of the USAF heavies turning on the loop along with a nice selection of fighters and helicopters.

55 years of Canberra, a legend's finale

Words and photographs Michael van der Mee additional photgraphy Stuart Freer

The last few years, a lot of West European countries are replacing their older aircraft types for brand new types like the Eurofighter, Gripen and Rafale. Other aircraft are withdrawn from service because they are at the end of their lifetime or due to changing tasks. Also the RAF (and Navy) are withdrawing some types from service, like the Jaguar and Sea Harrier. Also the career of the PR9 Canberra, the longest serving aircraft in the RAF, comes to a close.

The original Canberra design dates from the 1940's and the prototype aircraft flew for the first time on May 13^th  1949. The type first entered operational service with the RAF in 1951 as a medium bomber, although photo reconnaissance (PR) variants were first produced soon afterwards.

The prototype PR9 made its maiden flight on July 8^th  1955. In total, 23 production standard PR9s were built between 1958 and 1962. The first operational sortie was flown by an aircraft of No 58 Squadron in April 1960.

The remaining PR9s serve with No 39 Squadron at RAF Marham. As the only remaining Canberra squadron in RAF service, No 39 conducted its own conversion training, for which it retained a number of T4 dual-control training aircraft.

Recent operational deployments have included humanitarian and peace support operations in Rwanda and Zaire, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

An announced 2005 disbandment was delayed for a year, but there was to be no delay on the new date of July 31^st, 2006. The final operational tasking was for two PR9s to fly over Afghanistan. Two aircraft XH131 and XH135 left RAF Marham in February 2006 on a four-month detachment. There task successfully completed, the two Canberra’s returned to Marham on June 23^rd, 2006 marking an end to an incredible career, spanning some fifty-five years.

With the special coloured tail on the XH134 to commemorate the retirement of the type the Canberra showed her beauty for the last time to the public at the RIAT 2006.

For a report on the retirement ceremony follow this link

Words Remco Donselaar photography Michael van der Mee and Stuart Freer

Like last years RIAT three major display teams showed up during both days; The Red Arrows, Patrouille Suisse and Patrulla Aguila. Also present were the RN Black Cats and AAC Blue Eagles and last but not least; the Royal Jordanian Falcons.

It's becoming a well know sight; the Red Arrows in formation with one or more aircraft which are related to any kind of jubilee or memorial. This time they performed a special fly by with the red tailed VC-10, from No 101 Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton. It was too bad this formation was only performed at the Sunday.

After this fly by the Red Arrows showed us they still are one of the best demonstration teams in the world. Their show is very popular by the general public.

The Patrouille Suisse are always successful because they aren't flying with trainers, but with larger fighter aircraft, the F-5E Tiger II. This year they also performed two formations with the Pilatus PC-21 prototype, also from Switzerland.

The last large demonstration team was the Patrulla Aguila from Spain. They are not well known at the general public but their show can meet the show of the Patrouille de France for example. At the Sunday they showed us a formation fly by with the Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon.

The Royal Navy Black Cats and Army Air Corps Blue Eagles are a well known sight at shows in Great Britain. The Black Cats are outstanding in synchronized formation flying. And the Blue Eagles are famous for the Lynx which shows the loop.

The Solo Displays

Words Remco Donselaar photgraphy Stuart Freer and Michael van der Mee

Besides the large number of RAF aircraft, present in the flying display, also a lot of foreign countries participated with their own Solo displays.

The US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps were well represented with no less then 5 displaying aircraft. For the first time a MV-22B Osprey was showed at an European air show. The Osprey is a mix between a normal propeller driven airplane and a helicopter. One of the stars of the show was the F/A-18F Super Hornet which was a brand new one!

From Russia came the MiG 29OVT, this is an evolution from the well known MiG 29, but this aircraft has much better maneuverability due to the thrust vectoring  system. It was the star of the show and won The King Hussein Memorial Sword (best overall flying display).

Also present were the two solo display teams of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the F-16AM and Pilatus PC-7. A PC-9 of the Slovakia Air Force was also present. This one is a rare sight at West European air shows, the display however was a little bit disappointing.

The Czech Air Force was also present with two solo displays. The Czech Air force has a number of 14 Gripens leased. This aircraft was also presented in the flying program but by the Swedish Air Force and won the Lockheed Martin Cannestra Trophy (Best Overseas Flying Demonstration).

The Paul Bowen Solo Jet Trophy went to the the Swiss Air Force Fliegerstaffel 11, F/A/18C Hornet which performed a stunning demonstration with at the saturday a lot of vortex!

Words Remco Donselaar photography Michael van der Mee and Stuart Freer

This show season the RAF display teams aren't seen often outside the UK. But at the RIAT they were almost all present to show their performance to the British public.

Of these teams, two helicopter displays showed their capability. The Chinook demonstration is the best helicopter display in West Europe, too bad it was only present at Sunday. Present during both days was the Merlin which is a beautiful helicopter to see.

The air power came from the Harrier GR7A, Tornado GR4 and Eurofighter Typhoon. The Typhoon was awarded the Steedman Display Sword.

Another special visitor was the red tailed VC10 from No 101 squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton. This aircraft is already 40 years in service this year. Therefore it wears this special tail. At Saturday it made a fly over and touch and go. At Sunday it flew together in formation with the Red Arrows

The only demo witch has been seen often outside the UK this year was also present. It was a Hercules C5 based at RAF Lyneham which showed us a tactical airlift demonstration.

Last but not least was the Hawk display which was fitted in a special colorscheme for 'one million British Hawk hours'.

Departures

Words and photographs Stuart Freer, additional photography Mike Freer

The high temperatures continued into departures day, with factor 30 sunscreen being the order of the day. For departures there are a number of areas enthusiasts can view and photograph the aircraft departing, if you are a FRIAT (Friends of RIAT) member you have a dedicated grandstand on the airfield, not being a member we decided on the Park & View option going to the Western end of the runway, hoping for a few low take-offs, we were not to be dissapointed.

One of the first aircraft to leave were the two F-4E Phantoms from the Turkish AF, 172 Filo, based at Malatya - Erhaç. Over the airshow weekend a number of enthusiasts asked the pilots if they could accommodate a low-departure for the assembled photographers at the Western End, this they certainly did including a dip of the wing, which was a nice touch.

For the next five hours there was a constant stream of aircraft departing with friendly waves from the pilots as the taxied past the Western Park & View. You have to congratulate the ATC (Air Traffic Controllers) for there efforts in clearing the airfield of two hundred plus of aircraft in such a short space of time. In dispersed with the departures was the arrival of the the 20th BW B-52H which had been in the flying display over the weekend, when it arrived back from Farnborough where it had just displayed for the SBAC airshow.

Ome of the stars of the airshow was the Pakistan AF L100-Hercules which was specially painted to mark aid being delivered to victims of the 2005 Pakistan Earthquake, this immaculate No. 6 Squadron "Antelopes" machine is assigned to No. 35 Composite Air Transport Wing, home stationed at Chaklala AB, and was definately a highlight for a number of photographers.

The final two departures of the day were assigned to the E-6B Mercury from VQ-4 based at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma and the KC-10 crew from 6th Air Refuelling Squadron at Travis AFB in California, leaving the airfield deserted for another year.