|  The
operational theme theme for this years was
Rapid Global Effect, an insight into how a military
force deploys itself so rapidly into the theatre
of operations so rapidly in support of humanitarian
crisis or the fight against terrorism. Paul Johnson/Flightline
UK reports. All Photography copyright of Author
or as stated.
Ther
Rapid Global Effect theme attracted a number of
aircraft from throughout the world from the familiar
to the not so familiar. The furtherest travelled
was the Boeing 707 from the Royal Austrailian
Air Force while the Malaysian Air Force CN235
was another rare visitor from the far east.
Denmark debuted it's new Search and Rescue EH101
helicopters which were built at Westland's plant
at Yeovil.
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The
crew celebrate their awards with the
Director of the Royal International
Air Tattoo, Tim Prince - Photo courtesy
of the Royal International Air Tattoo
Press Office
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However,
the aircraft that really stole the show was the
Pakistan Air Force L382B Hercules. This aircraft
is unique as it's the last of the "civilian"
versions of the Hercules serving with 6sqn of the
Pakistan Air Force. It arrived at Fairford adorned
with special markings celebrating the massive effort
by the several nations Air Forces alongside the
Pakistan to provide humanitarian aid to the victims
of the Pakistan earthquake last year. Such was the
effort and the spirit of the members of the Pakistan
Air Force at the Tattoo that they took away the Tattoo’s prestigious Concours d’Elegance
competition, lifting the Page Aerospace Trophy as well as the BAE Systems’
Trophy for winning the Spirit of the Meet competition. The
crew were also presented with an engraved bowl for having the Best Livery at
this year’s Air Tattoo. It was presented by Air Tattoo director Tim Prince.
“This
is a wonderful result and we are elated that the Tattoo judges acknowledged
what we wanted to present,” said Wg Cdr Haseeb Gul, who commanded a 19-strong
team of aircrew and medical personnel in the medical evacuation configured
aircraft.
Another
rare participant was the UK Open Skies Andover
C1(PR) based at Boscombe Down while the civilian
side was well represented by the FedEx Airbus
A310. One dissappointment was that the US Special
Forces participants had to leave before the show
got underway. The MH-53M left Friday night
while one of the MC-130s left the static
on Saturday night.
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