The ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO held at Fairford, Gloucestershire has much to live up to and promises an almost unique experience to the thousands of visitors who make their way to this attractive venue every year. Held in support of the RAF Charitable trust the scale of the event can be hard to comprehend, with over 2,500 air and ground crew in attendance . Its promise and reputation are built on the solid foundation of many years of successfully meeting the demands of the general public and enthusiasts alike, and 2007 once again delivered a tremendous mixture of both the usual and more unusual displays, despite the best endeavours of a wayward English summer. The official flying themes of this years’ Tattoo were “Agile, Adaptable & Capable”, a reflection of the RAF’s current strategic thinking and the “60th Anniversary of The United States Air Force”, promising a hefty selection of hardware from the USAF inventory.

Added to this were welcome visits from the Indian Air Force, a rare visit from the USAF’s Air Demonstration Squadron – The USAF Thunderbirds, and a spectacular pyrotechnic display as part of the “Operational Scenario” as presented by the RAF. The United States Air Force is the largest and most technologically advanced air force in the world. It became separate from the United States Army in 1947, and currently has more than 300,000 front line personnel, operating around 4000 aircraft in a vast multitude of roles. Whilst the first appearance of the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor is still eagerly awaited, the capability and presence of aircraft such as the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, Boeing (Rockwell) B-1B Lancer, Boeing B-52H Stratofortress and Lockheed C-5B Galaxy was forceful and emphatic. 

The B-52H typifies the extent of the force available to the USAF – during Desert Storm this one type delivered more than 40 percent of all ordnance dropped by coalition forces – and the number on hand at present stands at 85 number. Current engineering analysis projects that the type’s service will extend past 2040 – imagine a Sopwith Camel currently in service with the RAF for comparison. The USAF’s display team, The USAF Thunderbirds, was in attendance on both display days and performed with both precision and skill. The weather conditions on Sunday were quite poor; however this produced a response from the team whose repertoire was immaculate and stunning. Currently operating the Lockheed Martin Corporation F-16C, during its history the team has generally favoured front line fighter aircraft for its mounts, notwithstanding the use of the Northrop T-38A Talon during the fuel-crisis period of the mid -‘70’s and early ‘80’s. The F-16C aircraft differ from their front-line counterparts by having the radar and cannon systems removed, and a smoke-generating system fitted.

The participation of The Indian Air Force was anticipated by the aviation enthusiast as it promised a rare chance to enjoy exotic types which are rare visitors to UK airspace. The visit coincided with a chance to see the BAE Systems Hawk 132 in, (mostly), IAF colours. The first six Hawks destined for the IAF have reached interim acceptance stage - a major milestone for the project. IAF pilots and technical staff have been and are currently undergoing intensive training in the UK so that the Hawk can be integrated into the IAF. Results from pilot training are reported to be above expectations, with some pilots being able to progress to complicated weapons systems, such as the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI’s ahead of schedule. Out of the 66 Hawks on order, only 24 will be completed at Brough, UK, whilst the remainder will be manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, (HAL), in Bangalore. Sukhoi’s Su-30 MKI is a potent air superiority fighter with a secondary capability to perform ground attack missions. Developed from the Su-27B, the “Modernised Commercial” version has been supplied to the IAF in kit form and will also be manufactured by HAL – proposed numbers for service extend to 230 number.

Whilst the attendance of such aircraft whetted the appetite, the fairly short display routine on Saturday left the majority of enthusiasts wanting more – the Flankers are however due to be on exercise Indradhanush, (Rainbow), flying with Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoons and Panavia Tornado F.Mk 3’s during the latter part of July. Supporting the two Sukhois on static display was the mighty Ilyushin Il-78 MKI tanker variant – sporting refueling pods in all the usual places and a couple more besides. We can only hope that the debut of the Indian Air Force at RIAT 2007 is the precursor to regular visits from the IAF, and their array of MIG’s, Sukhoi’s, Jaguars, and MiL’s is more than welcome, (in small numbers!), in the Gloucestershire countryside during July 2008.

Moving away from its traditional display concept of one aircraft = one display, the RAF was proud to show off an operational scenario linked to its current strategic concept of “Agile, Adaptable & Capable”. Displaying an Boeing E-3D Sentry, a Boeing Vertol Chinook, a Lockheed C-130J, Panavia Tornado F3’s, Tornado GR4’s, and BAe Hawks – (as the bad guys) - in a small amount of airspace took some doing, and was successfully implemented, along with a dramatic and explosive conclusion supposedly delivered by the GR4’s. The lack of Harriers and much-missed Jaguars dented the enjoyment for the enthusiast, but the overall impact of the display was forceful and effective, and the climax added some much needed warmth into the atmosphere on a dreary, damp Sunday afternoon. Looking back at this year’s Tattoo it delivered once again its promise of being the biggest and best Military Airshow, and this despite the poor weather on Sunday, which thankfully came with a high cloud base that allowed all to display – a massive well done to everyone involved – and our diaries are free for the same time next year.

RIAT 2007 presented the theme of “Agile, Adaptable & Capable as a demonstration of 21st Century Air Power. This conveniently described the vast majority of aircraft on either static or flying display, from the diminutive and yet agile Slingsby Firefly, through the amazingly nimble Boeing Vertol Chinook HC2 and venerable “Fat Albert”, onto the most advanced fixed wing aircraft of today such as the Sukhoi Su-30 and Typhoon. The Slingsby Firefly T67 M260 made a welcome return to Fairford this year and as usual was one of the Defence Elementary Flying Training School aircraft based at RAF Barkston Heath. Operated and Managed by Babcock Defence Services, the Firefly provides trainee Royal Navy and Army pilots’ general training in areas such as handling, navigation, instruments, and formation flying before they are streamed into more specific areas of aviation. The “260” is driven by a 260hp Textron Lycoming engine, which gives an impressive climb rate, (less than 8 minutes to 10,000ft – 3km), and yet allows a three hour training session with both seats occupied. 

Rotary powered aircraft certainly have their place, being associated with the rapid transport of material, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, and ground attack platforms amongst other things – they certainly fit well within the “ Agile & Capable” theme. One aircraft at RIAT 2007 showed emphatically that none of these missions meant that the aircraft performing them is necessarily without agility or manoeuvring prowess. The MiL MI-24V “Hind E” is a helicopter gunship with a limited personnel transportation capability, and was displayed by 231. vrl of the Czech Air Force. This version of the Hind differs from earlier version primarily in respect of its missile control system, with a HUD for the pilot in place of the previous fixed gun sight, an improved counter-measures suite, and up-rated avionics.

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, often called “Fat Albert”, has been a mainstay at the Air Tattoo for many years, and whilst the wingtip-to-wingtip static displays that seemed to stretch on for miles and miles may be something of the past, there was no shortage of variety in variants on display for all to see. An unusual visitor to the Air Tattoo was the Hellenic Air Force Lockheed C-130B Hercules. The Hercules has been in service for this Air Force since 1975, and this example was displayed by 356 Tactical Transport Squadron, which is part of the 112 Combat Wing. As if to prove its adaptability, this aircraft was displayed by no less than six different Air Forces, with four different commands within the USAF all displaying quite different variants – no other aircraft currently in service comes close to finding such widespread desirability and usage.

The Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon – currently in service in Germany, Spain, Austria (soon), Italy and the UK – perhaps not too surprising when the Consortium that produces the airframes and engines for the aircraft closely match the end user countries, but the performance of this latest generation multi-role aircraft quickly silences those who might doubt its operational capabilities. Displayed by both the RAF and Spanish Air Forces, there were subtle differences shown with the RAF display seeming more demanding of the airframe – though both made use of the inherently unstable nature of the delta and canard configuration at subsonic speeds which allows incredible manoeuvrability. When the aircraft moves into supersonic flight the configuration stabilises, though we were not fortunate enough to experience this!

Well, once again it was a formidable show featuring nearly everyone-who-is-someone in the military aviation world. The organisers yet again proved they know the right formula for this event - and more than this they know how to implement it. Even with the less than favourable weather conditions, (Saturday excepting), it was a memorable weekend. We are definitely looking forward to RIAT 2008, provisionally to be held on the 12th/13th July at RAF Fairford - CU there!

Scott Fellows / CHK6 UK

Release 4.0/2008

languages

Imprint
Team CHK 6
Editorial