Particularly within the field of military fast jets, RIAT 2006 consistently presented one highlight after another. These included the popular Dutch F -16 solo display, while others had their premiere at Fairford such as the thrust-vector controlled MiG-29OVT and the Spanish Eurofighter C.16. The best fast jet display at this year’s Air Tattoo was a surprise for everyone in the form of a Swiss Air Force (AF) Boeing F/A-18C Hornet. The Swiss Hornet display has been very popular with spectators in previous years, however this year Capt. Michael “Elvis” Reiner of Fliegerstaffel 11 based at Meiringen Air Base (AB) amazed everybody with a dynamic display of handling and agility with maneuvers we thought were impossible in a “regular” Hornet. When we spoke to the CO of Fliegerstaffel 11, Maj. Daniel “Stampa” Staempfli, he told us the interesting work that provided the enormous increase in maneuverability of the Hornet. The Swiss AF has implemented the flight control software of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet into their C/D models. The resulting improvements in handling were obviously tremendous even to non-pilots.

The Swiss AF has operated the F/A-18 Hornet since 1999, procuring a total of 34 aircraft (26 single and 8 in two-seat configuration) with most of the Swiss AF Hornets being assembled by Eidgenoessische Flugzeugwerke (EFW) of Emmen. They are operated by three squadrons (Fliegerstaffel), Fliegerstaffel 11, which has relocated from the former Duebendorf AB to its new home at Unterbach / Meiringen AB, while Fliegerstaffel 17 and 18 are both based at Payerne. The F/A-18 C/D replaced the AMD Mirage III in the interceptor role within the Swiss AF with the Hornets biggest drawback of relatively limited range presenting no problems for the Swiss due to that countries small land area. Due to this small land area it’s important to have a very agile fighter that is superior to any perceived threat. The Hornets ability to react quickly, capable of accelerating within seconds to several thousand feet make the F/A-18C a sound choice for the Swiss Air Force.

A regular guest at many European air shows is the Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 solo display. Beautifully presented by Capt. Gert-Jan “Goofy” Vooren of No. 312 Sqn based at Leeuwarden Air Base, this particular machine sported a fantastic color scheme making the aircraft even more attractive, especially when compared to US Fighting Falcons. One can clearly see the difference in doctrine and understanding of the capabilities of this great aircraft. While a Dutch pilot is “turning and burning” the US boy’s are demonstrating only the power and the speed of the aircraft. We spoke with an officer from the US Air Force who was stunned by the Dutch F-16 display. “I have never seen the Viper maneuvering like that”, he said with a glow in his eyes.

In contrast, was another USAF fighter this time a Boeing F-15C Eagle was displayed to the public in typical US-style. High speed passes together with powerful acceleration demonstrated the brute force of this superb air superiority fighter. Even though its no longer a state of the art, the F-15 is still a machine that is yet to be beaten in combat as it’s unmatched kill ratio speaks for itself. The Eagle flown at Fairford is based at RAF Lakenheath but was flown by Capt Tony Bierenkoven of the West Coast Demonstration Team. After its impressive solo display the F-15C performed a unique formation accompanied by a North American P-51D Mustang of the Duxford based Fighter Collection demonstrating the popularity of the Heritage Flights outside of the US.

Two Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon fighters were also on display at this year’s Air Tattoo. As apart from the anticipated RAF display flown by Sqn Ldr Matt Elliot of No.29 (R) Sqn / RAF Coningsby, a Typhoon of the Ejercito del Aire (Spanish Air Force) was also in attendance with comparisons between the two Typhoon displays being very interesting. Even if the British display won the trophy for the best flying demonstration by a UK participant, our favorite was the Spanish C.16 of Ala 11 based at Moron AB. The 113 Escuadron of the Ala 11 was formerly equipped with the Boeing EF-18A Hornet and presently acts as the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) Squadron of the Spanish AF. Spain will purchase 87 Eurofighter (72 single and 15 two-seat configuration) whereas 14 aircraft have already been delivered. Two Fighter Wings will be equipped with this sophisticated aircraft, along with Ala 11, Ala 14 at Albacete will be equipped with Typhoon replacing its current mount, the AMD Mirage F.1.

Because the EF-2000 is currently in use as Britain’s Air Defense Fighter no more Tornado ADV’s perform flying displays - a political decision which is not fully understood by the general public. The Royal Air Force is the largest customer under this joint European aircraft program, purchasing a total of 232 aircraft which will equip 7 operational squadrons plus an OCU unit (No. 29 (R) at RAF Coningsby) as well as an Operational Evaluation Unit (OEU) unit (No. 17 (R) also at RAF Coningsby). The first operational unit is No. 3 Sqn (a former Harrier Gr.Mk.7 squadron) which was re-formed in 2006, also based at RAF Coningsby. Within the RAF the Eurofighter Typhoon will replace the SEPECAT Jaguar and the Tornado within the air-to-ground role and the Tornado ADV within the air superiority role. Quite interesting are the different designations of the EF-2000 within the respective air arms. In the German Luftwaffe the name is simply Eurofighter EF-2000 (the name TYPHOON or TAIFUN in German is not officially adopted by the Luftwaffe), the Ejercito del Aire calls it C.16 (single-seater) and CE.16 (two-seater). The Italian Air Force use the English term Typhoon instead of the Italian word: TIFONE, while the RAF use the designation Typhoon F .2 for the single-seater and Typhoon T.1 (or T.1a) for the two-seater.

Another highlight of this years Air Tattoo was the authoritative presence of the second new generation European fighter - the Saab JAS-39 Gripen. Two air arms were in attendance with this potent little fighter - the Czech Air Force (Letecka slozka Spolecnych Sil Armady Ceske Republiky) which has received 12 JAS-39C Gripen and 2 JAS-39D (trainer version) all based at Caslav AB. The Czech AF made a huge impact at Fairford this year indeed, having also a Mil-24V Helicopter as well as one of their Aero L-159A Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft on flying display. Unfortunately the Czech Gripen was only on static display, however one could nevertheless see this Swedish product flying in the form of a JAS-39A Gripen from the No. 7 Sqn based at Satenas AB provided a stunning display, showing impressively the performance of the GRIFFIN, English for Gripen.

Displays of British fast jets are always impressive - Air Tattoo 2006 was no exception, even though the Tornado F.Mk3, Sea Harrier FA.2 and Jaguar Gr .Mk3a display was sorely missed – and not only by enthusiasts. An RAF Tornado GR.4a from No. XV (R) Squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth flown by FL Lt Ryan Mannering and FL Lt Tony Griffith as WSO performed the only Tornado display in what can only be described as fast and loud! A Harrier Gr.Mk 7 from No.20 (R) Squadron from RAF Wittering was responsible for the VTOL - jet display. However, while on its way to RAF Fairford a Harrier Gr .Mk9 crashed on a road near Oxford, caused by a fatal engine failure. Fortunately no one was injured with the pilot ejecting safely just a few seconds before impact. The Gr.Mk9 is an upgraded version of the Gr.Mk7 using a more advanced data bus system (MIL-STD 1760) and GPS-INS system. Some 60 Gr.Mk7s have been upgraded to this standard, approximately 40 Gr.Mk7s will also be upgraded to Gr.Mk9 which also includes a more powerful engine (Pegasus 107). Nevertheless this newest Harrier will still not have the air combat capability of the Sea Harrier which it replaced earlier this year.

THE show stopper of the 2004 Air Tattoo was surely the remarkable display of the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet with Boeing’s senior experimental test pilot Ricardo Traven on the controls. Ricardo, a Canadian from Niagara Falls, is currently the demo pilot for the Super Hornet, up until today he has logged some 2,500 flying hours of his total of almost 3,500 hrs on all versions of the F/A-18 Hornet. The Farnborough International Fair, which took place a week after the RIAT, saw him return once again at the controls the Super Hornet, stunning the public with an incredible performance. The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet is the current US Navy state-of-the art combat aircraft and has just replaced the aging fleet of F-14 Tomcats. Just a few weeks ago (30th May 2006), a highly modified F/A-18 F Super Hornet, made its first flight at NAS Patuxent River. This aircraft renamed with the new designation EA-18G “Growler” is currently in full production. All together 57 Growlers have been ordered by the US Navy and will be delivered up until 2009. The Growler will replace Grumman EA-6 B Prowler as the new Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) and Electronic Warfare (EW) aircraft for the US Navy. 

In comparison to previous years, the appearance of a MiG or Sukhoi has become very rare indeed. Unfortunately, a Slovakian MiG-29 which was scheduled to appear at Air Tattoo 2006 was canceled just a few weeks before the event. However the MiG-29 M-OVT on display was very much appreciated by the crowd who were stunned by its performance. This latest member of the famous Russian fighter-family featuring thrust-vectoring demonstrated the capability of its 3D- thrust vectoring nozzles in a performance that was nothing short of amazing. In the hands of well known Russian pilot Pavel Vlasov it is unbelievable what this agile aircraft can do. This Fulcrum is optimized for extremely agile maneuvers without compromise. Together with upgraded avionics including a glass cockpit, helmet-mounted sight and equipped with some of the most advanced weapon systems, the MiG-29 is still a highly potent opponent to modern western combat aircraft. Nevertheless while its ability to carry out highly agile maneuvers through thrust-vectoring can not be overestimated, what looks impressive at air shows might be not that useful in a real world scenario.

Finally after 53 years of service one of the most beloved aircraft, particularly by enthusiasts, the English Electric Canberra Pr.Mk9 is to retire. The last three aircraft will cease operation shortly after this Air Tattoo, and as such presented a good opportunity to see this remarkable aircraft flying once again in the skies of Gloucestershire. Originally designed as a successor for the magnificent DeHavilland DH.98 Mosquito Fighter/Bomber, the Canberra had a long and interesting career with the first Prototype (EA1) making its maiden flight on 13th May 1949. At the time it could outrun every fighter aircraft, negating the need for any defense armament to be fitted. During its long career many things had changed including the Canberra’s mission profile being first used as a bomber then later switching over to the reconnaissance role, which continued until today. Just a few weeks before the Air Tattoo two of the remaining three Canberra Pr.Mk9’s flew their last mission over Afghanistan. Many still believe that the Canberra is still the best platform for high level reconnaissance.

As can be seen, RIAT 2006 offered an incredible range of fast jet displays, unfortunately too many to cover in a single article. Apart from the previously mentioned machines there was also some fine displays from two different French Mirage 2000C RDI of EC 2/5 “Ile de France” based at Orange AB as well as two fly-bys by a Rockwell B-1B Lancer and a Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress. Other highlights on static display included an Hellenic Air Force Vought A-7E Corsair and a Turkish AF McDonnell Douglas F-4F Phantom II, just to mention a few. It was probably also the last time that one could see a British SEPECAT Jaguar Gr.Mk3a with one aircraft of No. 6 Squadron RAF on static display, after the event it was towed away due of technical problems. Unfortunately we didn’t find out if this Jag would undergo repair or will be scrapped. Hopefully it will be prepared for a museum or at least as a gate guard.

In conclusion the 2006 Royal international Air Tattoo was by far the best event we have seen so far. The fine weather was a contributing factor and together with perfect organization and fantastic displays RIAT’s organizers have shown how an air show should be conducted - and believe me, no one could have don’t it better!

Robert Kysela / CHK6

Release 3.1/2008

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