RIAT Index

Part One: The Show

Part Two The Big Themes

Part Three: The Fairford Mix

Part Four: The Flying Displays

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Each Royal International Air Tattoo has a number of different themes from different operational roles to anniversaries which hopefully attract a number of rare and interesting types as well as the occasional special scheme to the show. Paul Johnson/Flightline UK reports. All Photography copyright of Author.

Surveillance '05

Surveillance '05, the main operational theme,  brought together a wide variety of aircraft from all over the world with widely varying roles from the civil and military sectors. The undisputed star of the line-up was the Lockheed U-2S from the 9th RW/99th RS. In fact, the many people who were at RIAT for the full six days would have seen a sumber of U-2s pass through fairford on operational deployments. Also getting the cameras clicking was the Greek Air Force's RF-4E Phantom II proving how much affection and respect this aging NATO workhorse has gained. The aircraft from 348 MTA came in a special paint scheme celebrating the phantom role. The other major highlight for many enthusiasts was the appearance by the French Air Force's C-160G GABRIEL ELINT platform, a incredibly rare visitor to the UK, let alone airshows. Only 2 of these highly sensitive aircraft are in service and fly in support of the French military on operations in the Baltic, Balkans and the Middle East. As ever the RAF pulled out the stop to provide several aircraft rarely seen at public events. This was likely to be the Canberra PR9s last visit to RIAT and this aircraft put on a spectacular arrival for those in the FRIAT enclosure showing off the top surfaces of it's wing. For the first time outside Waddington, a Nimrod R1 was on static display as well. A number of the RAF's fast jets also attended in their Reconassance fits such as the Tornado GR4, Harrier GR7A and Jaguar GR3A.

United Nations 60th - The Birth of International Co-operation

With so many airshows clebrating the 60th Anniversary of VE and VJ day it was good so see another major anniversary being celebrated that has all but been overlooked this year. The 60th Anniversary of the formation of the United Nations. Over those 60 years the UN has been kept busy with peacekeeping and relief efforts, much of which would not have been possible without air power, particularly tactical transport and helicopters. Sadly, no aircraft could be sourced still carrying the all white UN livery they wear when assigned to UN operations or though the Dutch did manage to send a SFOR marked Eurocopter AS532U-2 Cougar as part of a large contigent. It was also good to see Eastern European participants with both Poland and Romania displaying transport aircraft. The US send a good pair of aircraft as part of this theme with the giant C-5B Galaxy and a debut appearance by a Air Education and Training Command CC-130J Hercules from 314th AW.

NATO Tigers Roar '05

The official NATO Tiger Meet was held earlier in the year in Turkey. However, RIAT held it's own mini Tiger Meet in the hope that a few aircraft would retain their schemes for an appearance at RIAT'05. Sadly, the vast majority of aircraft that appeared at Tigers Roar '05 wore standard schemes although the USAF Reserve Command KC-135R Stratotanker did gain some extra markings after it arrived and duly won the best livery for their efforts. Star of the Tigers though had to be the Polish Air Force Sukhoi Su-22UM3K painted in spectacular Tiger marks reminiscent of those applied to NATO jets for IAT '91. Another very welcome inclusion was the Greek Air Force TA-7C Corsair II. It's been a long time since any A-7 has visited RIAT as the aircraft really is in the twilight of it's career. Indeed, it may never been seen again at a British show as the Greek Air Force is slowly modernising. Therefore full marks to RIAT ATC and the TA-7C's crew for the flypast on Wednesday. The RAF isn't known for it's Tiger schemes of late, so the all over Tiger painted Puma HC1 will be a star whenever it appears. In fact the Puma was used to bring special guest Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter Movies)to the Press Lauch on RIAT on the Thursday.