Royal International Air Tattoo 2008 - PREVIEW
 RAF Fairford, 12th-13th July 2008

What?

The Royal International Air Tattoo is the largest military airshow in the world attracting 300+ aircraft from around the world each year. The show is organised by  Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises to raise money and awareness for the fund. Over the years the show has grown into much more than just another military airshow offering much more than just a flying display.

On the ground visitors find the largest static park of any UK show, a free open air evening concert from he RAF's bands, large scale exhibtions of the UK armed forces, fun fairs and a large trade fair. Each year, RIAT adopts several themes that are reflected in the flying and static displays. The flying display is also the longest and busiest of the year with around eight hours of flying each day which always includes a number of national display teams as well as military aircraft from home and abroad along with a selection of warbirds and aerobatic displays.

How much?

More Information

• Official Website

Where?

RIAT is held at RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire which is to the north of Swindon. Click Here for Airshow Maps

Weather Information

• BBC Five Day Forecast
• The Weather Channel 10 Day Forecast

Show News

• Raptor makes UK Debut at Air Tattoo 13/02/2008
• RAF Standard to be presented at RIAT

Previous Shows

• Royal International Air Tattoo 2003
• Royal International Air Tattoo 2004
• Royal International Air Tattoo 2005
• Royal International Air Tattoo 2006
• Royal International Air Tattoo 2007

Show Themes

90th Anniversary of The Royal Air Force    
Aircraft spanning the history of British military aviation will feature in a spectacular tribute marking the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force at RAF Fairford next summer. With a reputation for staging memorable anniversary celebrations, the Royal International Air Tattoo will look to create exciting set-pieces both in the air and on the ground that chart important milestones in the RAF’s long and illustrious history.

From the Great War and the Battle of Britain, through Korea and the Cold War to current operations in the Middle East, visitors will be able to chart the transition of one of the oldest independent air forces from fledgling service to one of the most potent air forces in the world.

And we’ll salute the crucial role the RAF has played in bringing much-needed humanitarian relief to some of the most desperate human tragedies that have unfolded during the past nine decades, including the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949, the Ethiopian famine of 1984 and the Asian tsunami of 2004. Organisers also plan to offer a glimpse of the RAF’s future, in which aircraft such as the Nimrod MRA4, the Typhoon and the new A330-200 Future Strategic Tanker aircraft will provide the backbone of the UK’s air power capability.

Sky Tanker 
Air-to-air refuelling is one of the cornerstones of an international air arm’s global reach capability enabling it to engage further, faster and with more force than ever before. Airborne tankers such as the A310 MRTT, KC-10 Extender, KC-130 Hercules, Tristar and VC-10 have been fundamental to power projection and, along with transport fleets, have helped create sustainable and effective air bridges during some of the 20th century’s biggest conflicts including the Vietnam War, the Falklands War and Kosovo, as well as during current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Today, more and more air forces are able to perform air-to-air refuelling, providing critical support for their own aircraft and also for their allies. Indeed, so important is it to operational success that NATO members have standardised air-to-air refuelling procedures to boost the effectiveness of their joint capabilities as well as to enhance the safety of the refuelling process. And with industry currently working closely with international air arms to provide a new generation of state-of-the-art aircraft ready to take ‘global reach’ into the 21st century, it seems appropriate that the Royal International Air Tattoo should turn the spotlight on this vital, yet often unseen, aspect of military air mobility.

Tri@RIAT  
The Tri@RIAT attraction brings together a feast of entertaining and interactive activities that are specifically designed to inspire and excite youngsters. From engineering and robotics to sport and music, there’s a wealth of opportunities for young people to expand their horizons through play.

Aircraft Participation
(Last Updated: 20/06/2008)