The single Lynx and four Gazelles of the Blue Eagles are a regular and welcome sight at airshow venues around the UK. The five aircraft fill the display space well with opposition maneuvers of two, three and four aircraft plus singleton maneuvers and tail chases. The Lynx loop is demonstrated several times and is always surprising to see, the Lynx was the only helicopter to perform a loop this year. The Gazelles also offer plenty of opportunities to see top surfaces during rolls and dives. The Gazelle first produced in 1967 by Westland and Aerospatiale was the first helicopter to use the fenestron tail rotor and is still one of the fastest helicopters in the world with a max speed of 310 km/h. This aircraft has been in constant service with the British Military for 28 years. During this time it has seen service in all theatres of operation from the Falklands to Iraq. The Lynx light battlefield helicopter also developed by Westland and Aerospatiale first flew in 1971 and is the fastest helicopter in the world with a max speed of 269km/h. Used as an anti tank helicopters and troop carriers the Army Lynx has until now had a skid undercarriage, the Navy version anti submarine Lynx has a tricycle undercarriage. The Lynx has been in a state of constant development which continues still with the AH MK9 with its tricycle undercarriage and the award to AgustaWestland to supply the Future Lynx to the British Army Air Corps and the Navy.

Suffering from serviceability problems (these are historic aircraft after all) a depleted Army Historic Flight still put on a good show with the de Havilland Beaver AL Mk1, the Alouette II XR379, and the Westland Scout AH Mk1. The Canadian built Beaver XP820 joined the Army Air Corps in 1961 and was shipped to the Far East to serve with No. 656 Light Aircraft Squadron. The type was used as a VIP transport, surveillance and communications with great success and reliability. The Alouette II XR379 was introduced to the Army Air Corps to fill a gap left by delays in the introduction of the Westland Scout in 1961. XR379 served in the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) at Detmold and Bunde where she was replaced by the Scout in 1969. She moved to 667 Aviation Squadron and was again replaced by the Scout and moved on to 16 Flight AAC at Dhekelia, Cyprus. The Alouette II was ultimately replaced by the Gazelle AH1 in 1988. The Alouettes were put up for sale with the exception of XR379. She was moved to the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop and joined the Army Historic Aircraft Flight in 1990. Westland Scout AH Mk 1 XT626 began entering service in 1961 replacing the Saunders-Roe Skeeter. With its five or six seat cabin and the ability to carry side pods or anti tank missiles the Scout was a big improvement in battlefield ability for the British Army. XT626 joined the Army Historic Aircraft Flight in 1994.

The Chinook unfortunately did not display on the Saturday due to the aircraft being required in the Lebanon and confusion when the replacement was not given a display slot even though it was available to display. This allowed the crew to watch an airshow rather than take part in one. On the Sunday the Chinook was back on the display list and once again showed why the display is so popular. The Pilot Flt Lt Richard Batey and his crew Flt Lt Chris Middleton and FS Jamie Dunkerley did not disappoint, pushing the 15.5mt long 10151kg “flying house” to its safe limits. Last year Checksix voted this display the best helicopter display in the world and this was one of many awards gained by the team. This display has become so popular that the team manager has recruited a second crew so the crews get some time off during the display season. The future looks secure for this aircraft type with the next generation of the Chinook (CH-47F) being rolled out in the United States. The Merlin team from RAF Benson put on a great display with the big multi role helicopter, the three Rolls Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 turbines giving the aircraft a great power to weight ratio. Flight Lieutenant Colin Dempster the display pilot showed the top surfaces well with steep turns, dives and climes. With its top speed of 309km/h and an operating radius of 608km the Merlin is making a good reputation for itself in the Joint Helicopter Command, Navy and the air show viewing public.

The Hercules of 24 Squadron at RAF Lyneham is always a big draw at UK airshows both for its ability to display in poor weather and for its dynamic display. The new Allison turboprop engines with the six blade propellers give this version of the Herc an increased take off thrust of 29% and an added fuel efficiency of 15%. This has allowed the traditional external fuel tanks to be omitted, the result is put to excellent display use by Flt Lts Waller and Kirby and Flt Sgt 'Spud' Simpson.The J version also has a full glass cockpit and heads up displays replacing the analogue dials and switches. The display shows the classic Khe Sanh approach and many opportunities to view the top and underside of the aircraft. The ground maneuverability of the type is also put on show with reverse taxiing and rapid vehicle deployment followed by the short takeoff. Seeing an aircraft of this size 29.75mt long with a wing span of 40.41mt being displayed like a fighter plane is a real treat.

Perhaps the best loved display in the UK, the BBMF are always in demand and even more so this year with the Spitfire anniversary. This year’s RIAT flight consisted of the Avro Lancaster PA474, Spitfire PM631 (Mk PRXIX) and Hurricane LF363 (Mk IIc). The Lancaster one of only 2 flying examples in the world, “Mickey the Moocher” was built in 1945 but did not see service in WW2. After serving as a photo reconnaissance aircraft with 82 Squadron in Africa and nearly becoming a pilot less drone for in flight refueling experiments she was assigned to the Royal Collage of Aeronautics. In 1964 she was adopted by the Air Historic Branch and earmarked for the RAF Museum at Hendon London. She appeared in two movies “Operation Crossbow” and “The Guns of Navarrone”. In 1965 the Commanding Officer of 44 Squadron at RAF Waddington requested that PA474 be transferred to the care of his unit. After years of restoration she joined the “Battle of Britain Flight” which was then renamed “The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight”, work was still underway in transforming her from the reconnaissance layout back to the bomber layout. Since 2000 she carries the markings of Lancaster III EE176 QR-M of 61 Squadron one of only 35 Lancaster centurions having completed over 100 missions during WW2.

Spitfire PM631 was built in 1945 as a photo reconnaissance aircraft with a Griffon 66 engine and a pressurized cockpit for high altitude flight she did not see service in WW2. She flew with 203 Advanced Flying School and was then leased to Short Bros.In July 1957 she and Spitfires PS853 (now owned by Rolls Royce) and PS915 flew in formation to Biggin Hill and the Historic Aircraft Flight was formed, this later became the Battle of Britain Flight and later still the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. PM631 is painted in the colors of an early PRXIX of 541 Squadron, unarmed these aircraft could fly at 370mph at 40,000ft. Hurricane LF363 (Mk IIc) believed to be the last Hurricane to enter service with the RAF first flew in January 1944. She was delivered to the RAF on the 28th of January and was in constant service until 1991 when she crash landed. During her service life she flew with the 63,309{Polish} and 26 Squadrons, she too has a movie career appearing in “Angels One Five” “Reach for the Sky” and “The Battle of Britain”. She is one of the founding aircraft of the Historic Aircraft Flight.

Certainly one of the more exotic participants at this year’s RIAT was the MV-22B of the US Marine Corps. The two aircraft at RIAT self deployed from the US via Iceland showing the range capabilities of the type. The tilt rotor aircraft is a new type of aircraft and so there is nothing of alike to compare it with, this leaves us to compare it with a helicopter or a small support aircraft neither of which would do it justice. The aircraft has had problems during its development but this is a new type of aircraft so this is not surprising. The flying display showed clearly why this type would be of interest to the Marines or any unit requiring rapid deployment capability. From taxi to takeoff in very short order and then via the engine nacelle transition to the cruising configuration accelerating like an airplane. With a max speed of 565km/h and range 953km with the load space for 24 combat equipped troops there are obvious advantages over a helicopter. Although the display, the first in the UK, was fairly sedate the very strangeness of the aircraft made it a great display.

Rarely seen in the UK the Mi-24 (NATO Code: HIND) was a treat to see in the sky over Fairford again. The big gun ship entered service in 1974 although the prototype flew in 1969, with over 2500 models produced the type is used by many countries including surprisingly the USA as an adversarial training example. One of the unique features of the Hind is its ability to carry troops and still fulfill its role as a dedicated gun ship. The flying display was well executed but the nice color scheme could not disguise the fact that this is still a potent military offensive machine. TBM700, this single engine utility aircraft is a regular attendee at RIAT, developed in the late 1980s the TBM700 always gives a spirited display. The single Pratt & Whitney PT6A engine produces a pleasing sound and gives the aircraft excellent performance. It’s always going to be difficult to compete with the likes of the Mig 29 and the F18 Hornet in a display, but the pilot gave it a good go with an impressive display sequence concluding with his own Khe Sanh approach.

The Fighter Collection P-51D Mustang flew as part of the heritage flight with a F-15C Eagle. This particular aircraft was delivered to 78th Fighter Group at Duxford England in 1944 and became part of the 83rd Fighter Squadron. In 1949 the plane was exported to the Royal Swedish Air Force, five years later she was again moved on this time to the Israelis. By 1978 she was in open storage , acquired by Col Itzaki (IAF) after being de listed and sold for scrap, he spent six years restoring her. She flew again in 1984; in 1986 she was again on the move this time to Sweden with FlygExpo. The Fighter collection acquired her in 2002 and she returned to her first operational base at Duxford. With the anniversary of the Spitfire this year it was good to see Rolls Royce displaying the Spitfire XIX PS853, with the Griffon engine and hearing the Griffon growl. This aircraft was one of 79 unarmed reconnaissance’s Mk XIX built at the Supermarine factory in Southampton. She served in the European theater during WW2 and returned to the UK to work with the Meteorological Flight eventually being allocated to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Major works were undertaken between 1987 and 1989 and a modified Griffon engine was fitted giving the aircraft a top speed of 439 mph and a ceiling of 45,000ft. Purchased by Rolls Royce in 1996 and currently flown by the Rolls-Royce Chief Test Pilot Phil O'Dell who flew the Buccaneer, Hawk and Jaguar. It’s hoped that the second Rolls Royce Spitfire a Mk XIV will be joining PS853 soon.

Another firm favorite on the UK airshow circuit are the wing walking Utterly Butterly Barnstormers from near by Randcome Airfield. Two of the four Boeing Stearman biplanes attended RIAT this year and gave a superb display to the sound of the 450 hp Pratt&Whitney engines. The wing walkers affixed to a swivels rig can change positions with the changing aspects of the display and speeds reaching 150 mph. The team were Vic Norman and Andy Wyatt and the wing walkers were Kirstie Joly & Marie Duguid. The Stearman was the main training aircraft of the US Army and gained a reputation for being forgiving and easy to fly, it was also rugged and durable as can be witnessed by the number of Stearmans still flying. From the ten thousand produced over a thousand are still flying.
The Black Cats Lynx helicopter display, the team from 702 Navel Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton always put on a good show and this year was no exception. The only maneuver not done by the Navy Lynx is the Lynx loop, this is due to the Navy specific equipment on these sub hunting helicopters. The team, all instructors from 702 Squadron show the aircraft well with an opposition ballet and ground maneuvers mirrored by a helicopter doing the same pirouette at about 50 ft. Formed in 2001 the team have earned themselves real recognition and many awards in the last five years and are great favorites on the UK Airshow circuit.

The Red Arrows nine BAE System Hawk1/1A’s from RAF Scampton led by Red 1 Wing Commander Dicky Patounas gave a full display on both days against an almost cloudless sky. The Hawk has been in service with the RAF since 1976 as an advanced jet trainer and weapons training platform. The Hawk series has also proved to be a very successful export aircraft for BAE Systems and is in service among others Abu Dhabi, Finland, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States Navy. The Red Arrows always appear at RIAT and never fail to impress with the split into two formations Gypo and Enid there is always something in front of the crowd worth watching. The Red’s returned later in the day to fly in formation with a specially painted VC10 from RAF Brize Norton to celebrate the types 40th anniversary in service with the RAF.

Another regular and welcome visitor to RIAT is the Patrouille Suisse flying six F-5E Tiger II supersonic tactical fighter/bombers and lead in trainers. The red and white colour scheme against the blue sky gave photographers some great opportunities; the rigidly held formations really are very impressive. The F-5E Tiger II (Freedom fighter) first flew in prototype form in 1959 and although it looks very similar to the T-38 Talon it is a very different aircraft built around the same engines two General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojet engines rated at 5,000-pound thrust each. The F5-A was widely exported under the US Military Assistance Program and the aircraft saw active service in Vietnam. It was developed into the F-5E with upgrades to its avionics and a size increase and is operated by many nations. The Turkish display team “The Turkish Stars” use the Freedom Fighter F5-A/B. The Swiss display was concluded this year with an impressive formation flypast with the Pilatus PC-21.

The Spanish National team The Patrulla Aguila was formed in 1985 with five CASA 101 Aviojets, over the years the team was built up to the seven we saw this year at RIAT. The display is surprisingly quiet due to the Garrett TFE-731 turbofan engine; the team performs some broad sweeping fly pasts with a syncro pair entertaining between the departure and arrival of the main group. The CASA 101 was designed to replace Spain’s aging Hispano HA200 jet trainers and flew for the first time in 1977 and entered service in 1980. The type has been exported with variations and local assembly agreements to Chile, Honduras and Jordan. The display concluded with a formation fly past with the Spanish Typhoon that displayed earlier in the day.

The Jordanian National team hold a special position at RIAT due to RIAT’s close links to the Jordanian Royal Family and in particular the late King Hussein the trophy for the overall best display is the “King Hussein Memorial Sword”. The Falcons flying four Extra EA 300 with Textron Lycoming engine, perform eye popping high G-maneuvers that really need to be seen close up to be appreciated. Formed in 1976 as directed by the late King Hussein Bin Talal the team’s task is to promote peace and friendship around the world through the art and science of aviation and this they do very well. The team is supported by both the Royal Jordanian Air Force and the Royal Jordanian Airlines; the pilots are Air Force volunteers. The team recently relocated to the Aqaba (Red Sea) to promote tourism to that area.

The FRADU Team is one of the more interesting displays in the UK at the moment; dissimilar aircraft in close formation showing real operational manoeuvres. FRADU is run by Serco a civilian contractor operating the BAE Systems Hawks and F R Aviation run the two Dassault Falcons 20’s on behalf of the fleet air arm. The main operation of the unit is a simulated ship attack this was part of the display routine. The two Dassault Falcons act as the slower moving launch platform for a missile attack, the missiles being the four Hawks. The Hawks fly in very close formation to the Falcons and on the command from the Falcon drop below the Falcon and accelerate toward the target ship as a missile would. This gives ship crews a relatively realistic training environment. Both the Falcon and Hawks also work independently on other scenarios but the missile launch profile is well displayed during the routine. All the Hawk pilots are ex military fighter pilots now employed as civilians. F R Aviation can also mimic other radar and tow targets, they also work with the RAF on dissimilar fighter training and I am told by an F R Aviation pilot that they sometimes win!

The two Scottish Aviation Jetstream from the 750 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton are usually used for training helicopter crews in the art of navigation over water. They also double up as VIP transports. Each aircraft is fitted with extra navigation consoles to achieve this, the trainees move on to work on Westland Sea King Mk 7 ASaC (Airborne Surveillance and Control; currently deployed on the Royal Navy aircraft carriers), Agusta/Westland Merlin HM.Mk 1 (anti-submarine) and Westland Lynx HAS.Mk 2 (anti-surface) helicopters. The display itself is obviously a rather gentle affair but that does not mean it’s not impressive, the tight station holding of the wingman in this large aircraft (large for a display duo) is well worth seeing. The display concludes with a Khe Sanh approach landing while the second aircraft performs its final running break.

Will Moore / CHK6 UK

Release 3.1/2008

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