The first arrivals day of the Royal International Air Tattoo has been dominated by the weather. At the end of the day over 100 aircraft have delayed their arrivials because of the weather but that didn't mean a lack of quality. Paul Johnson/Flightline UK reports. All photography copyright of the Author.

Just when you thought is was all going to be better than 2007!! The atlantic weather system Tomina has struck the west country and the Royal International Air Tattoo. The deep ow pressure brought persistant rain to the Cotswolds for much of the day and it only started to ease off late in the afternoon.

The weather has hit the arrivals hard. Wednesday and Thursday were due to be both very busy due to the RAF Colours Parade to be held on Friday. However, it now looks as though we are in for a bumper Thursday with very busy skies in the Fairford area as about 100 extra arrivals try to squeeze into the airfield's operating hours. There are also rehersals and validations to fit in to.

Today saw the arrival for the first time in the UK of the Brazilian Air Force Display Team, Their C-130H support aircraft an eight T-27 Tucano all arrived in succession. Many of the aircraft also sported special schemes such as the French Navy N262 Fregate, Italian AF AMX Centaurs and the Jordanian C-130. Fingers crossed for better weather for the rest of RIAT.

Arrivals at 1800L

• French Navy Falcon 50
• Italian AF KC-130J
• USAF CC-130J
• USAF B-52H x 2
• Royal Jordanian Air Force C-130H
• Pilatus PC-21
• Extra 400
• German Navy Sea King Mk41
• French Navy N262 Fregate
• German Air Force C-160D
• Hungarian Air Force MiG-29
• Hungarian Air Force JAS-39D Gripen
• Hungarian Air Force An-26
• Brazilian Air Force C-130H
• Brazilian Air Force Display Team - Esquadrilha da Fumaça
• Portuguese Air Force Alpha Jets x 4 - Asas de Portugal
• Portuguese Air Force C-130
• Italian Air Force AMX x 2
• USAF T-43
• BAF F-16 x 3 (inc Display a/c + Spare)
• RAF King Air x 2
• RAF Tornado GR4
• RAF VC-10
• RAF Griffin HAR2
• Pakistan Navy P-3C
• HC-130P
• USAF F-22 Raptor x 3 (Tuesday arrival)
• USAF KC-10 (Tuesday arrival)
• USAF KC-135 (Tuesday Arrival)
• RAF Harrier GR9 (Tuesday arrival)