Royal International Air Tattoo 2010, RAF Fairford - The Themes
The Royal International Air Tattoo is not just a gathering of aircraft, many come to participate in certain historical and operational themes. This year the major themes were "Training 2010" and the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. RIAT also took "Cadet 150" as a theme as it has such close links with the Cadet movement. Paul Johnson/Flightline UK looks at the individual themes that characterised the static park. Video highlights courtesy of Planes TV
Training 2010
The largest theme of RIAT was Training 2010. You would naturally think that RIAT would have been full of Hawks, Alpha Jets, L-39s and so on. But it was quite different with just the RAF showing off the Hawk and the French Air Force with the Alpha Jet! Instead. the theme contained a very diverse range of aircraft representing everything from classic jets right through to frontline jets. There were also representatives of the next generation of trainers with the Aermacchi M311 and M346 demonstrators and the regular Pilatus PC-21.
70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
RIAT is one the few shows that could attract all the different air arms that participated in the Battle of Britain. Star of the line up was undoubtely the Polish Air Force Sukhoi Su-22UM Fitter, but it was also good to see the German and Italian Air Forces included in the theme. However, it was very dissappointing that the Czech and Slovak Air Forces in particularly were absent from RIAT in this special year. Apart from the RAF, it was the USAF that made the most impressive contribution with a number of aircraft from the United States AIr Forces in Europe!The far eastern end of the showground was turned into a 1940's airfield with a number of replica aircraft and as well as examples of the Tiger Moth and Jugmeisters. The area was also populated with reenactors as well as other memorabilia from 1940.
The rest....
There are always aircraft that don't fit the main themes and sime interesting visitors and support aircraft. One of the highlights was a surprise appearance by the SAAB Gripen NG aircraft and by a pair of helicopters from the french Army; a Puma and Gazelle. The smaller Cadet150 event saw a number of Grob Vigilant and Viking attend the show. The most colourful participants however were the Zivko Edge 540 from Team Bonhomme and the Breitling MXS-R flown by Nigel Lamb promoting Red Bull Air Race.
Looking back at RIAT
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