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So, last Saturday I went to the Royal International Ait Tattoo at RAF Fairford, it's now the biggest airshow in Europe and acts as a fundraiser for the RAFBF (Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund) which helps ex servicemen and their families.
For anyone into seeing military and civlian planes as they should be seen - sitting on concrete with the pilots to talk to rather than on Sky News - it is a great day out.
Last year was slightly overshadowed by increased security following September 11th - basically it ws a mess, causing several mile long tailbacks, multiple hour waits to get onto the base etc.
This year it had been sorted out, but noticeably it was higher than ever. Having said that, for anyone who doubts the seriousness of security precautions in this country it could only be reassuring as, by and large, it was well hidden and only recognisable if you knew what things looked like - Numberplate scanner, mobile CCTV fans, helicopter overflights etc. On the acutal base itself nearly all static aircraft had armed policemen around them as well as more foot patrols than you'll ever see in London. On entry you had to be waived over by someone using the new handheld metal/substance detectors, and have any bags etc searched. Food at the show is usually pretty good and not expensive so the best thing to do was just to take cameras - incidentally every single thing at the show can be freely photographed for non commercial use - for most of us this airshow is the only chance to get photographs of craft like the Stealth's , Eurofighter, Joint Strike Fighter etc. After the event - it ended on Sunday - the organisers report that not only was it incident free but overall crime was pretty much non existent.
The actual aircraft on diplay were impressive, with both the USA and UK displaying the most, and latest, hardware - the new Apache, the Joint Strike Fighter, F117, F16's, F15's, blackhawks, Pavelows, Transports etc, with the chance to actually walk through many of the larger planes and helicopters. Several people from the 160th were there - these were the guys who provided the air support during the events in Somalia 1993 and for Special ops worldwide. Also on hand were pilots from the 9th Fighter Squadron - F117 pilots - and other units, talking to them quickly dispells many myths about air combat/bomber pilots. These are not the kind of people who, as some suggest, will lazily target civlians or drop ordinance knowing it could hit civilians. The UK side was also impressibe with the new C17's painted into RAF livery, many UK military vehicles including the new MLRS and UAV vehicles, the famed Eurofighter and more. Also there were many aircraft from other nations as well as pilots.
The flying display was one of the best I've seen in the UK - the highlight being a rather obvious US/UK airforce PR job which featured the F117 Stealth and the Red Arrows flying in formation, with the F117 having for the first time, a british pilot. Also, the first proper UK appearance of the Eurofighter. It's capability to do high angles of attack, almost stop start movement, high turn mobility and the general display did much to show that this aircraft has not been a waste of money. Another highlight was the B2, having flown direct from the USA, using in flight refueling, and accompanied by chaser planes from RAF Lakenheath. Again, the B2 has only ever flown at an airshow outside the USA when it has been one in the UK. The new Mig fighter was also displayed, noticeably outperformed by the Eurofighter, as well as French and Italian display teams, Coastal operations aircraft from around the world, transports etc
All in all an excellent day out, it'll be on next year and if anyone wants to see this kind of thing it is well worth it. But remember the suncream.... I burn :(
For anyone into seeing military and civlian planes as they should be seen - sitting on concrete with the pilots to talk to rather than on Sky News - it is a great day out.
Last year was slightly overshadowed by increased security following September 11th - basically it ws a mess, causing several mile long tailbacks, multiple hour waits to get onto the base etc.
This year it had been sorted out, but noticeably it was higher than ever. Having said that, for anyone who doubts the seriousness of security precautions in this country it could only be reassuring as, by and large, it was well hidden and only recognisable if you knew what things looked like - Numberplate scanner, mobile CCTV fans, helicopter overflights etc. On the acutal base itself nearly all static aircraft had armed policemen around them as well as more foot patrols than you'll ever see in London. On entry you had to be waived over by someone using the new handheld metal/substance detectors, and have any bags etc searched. Food at the show is usually pretty good and not expensive so the best thing to do was just to take cameras - incidentally every single thing at the show can be freely photographed for non commercial use - for most of us this airshow is the only chance to get photographs of craft like the Stealth's , Eurofighter, Joint Strike Fighter etc. After the event - it ended on Sunday - the organisers report that not only was it incident free but overall crime was pretty much non existent.
The actual aircraft on diplay were impressive, with both the USA and UK displaying the most, and latest, hardware - the new Apache, the Joint Strike Fighter, F117, F16's, F15's, blackhawks, Pavelows, Transports etc, with the chance to actually walk through many of the larger planes and helicopters. Several people from the 160th were there - these were the guys who provided the air support during the events in Somalia 1993 and for Special ops worldwide. Also on hand were pilots from the 9th Fighter Squadron - F117 pilots - and other units, talking to them quickly dispells many myths about air combat/bomber pilots. These are not the kind of people who, as some suggest, will lazily target civlians or drop ordinance knowing it could hit civilians. The UK side was also impressibe with the new C17's painted into RAF livery, many UK military vehicles including the new MLRS and UAV vehicles, the famed Eurofighter and more. Also there were many aircraft from other nations as well as pilots.
The flying display was one of the best I've seen in the UK - the highlight being a rather obvious US/UK airforce PR job which featured the F117 Stealth and the Red Arrows flying in formation, with the F117 having for the first time, a british pilot. Also, the first proper UK appearance of the Eurofighter. It's capability to do high angles of attack, almost stop start movement, high turn mobility and the general display did much to show that this aircraft has not been a waste of money. Another highlight was the B2, having flown direct from the USA, using in flight refueling, and accompanied by chaser planes from RAF Lakenheath. Again, the B2 has only ever flown at an airshow outside the USA when it has been one in the UK. The new Mig fighter was also displayed, noticeably outperformed by the Eurofighter, as well as French and Italian display teams, Coastal operations aircraft from around the world, transports etc
All in all an excellent day out, it'll be on next year and if anyone wants to see this kind of thing it is well worth it. But remember the suncream.... I burn :(
Never even seen one of them in the flesh, so to speak.
lol, you should hear a Eurofighter on the runway then- that's one loud plane...
I've been to the RAF Waddington show before.
Too bloody loud for my liking.
Too bloody loud for my liking.
It's not really my kettle of fish - I'd rather sit around in the park playing footy and drinking bourban. Whatever floats your boat, as the saying goes...
So, last Saturday I went to the Royal International Ait Tattoo at RAF Fairford, it's now the biggest airshow in Europe and acts as a fundraiser for the RAFBF (Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund) which helps ex servicemen and their families.
For anyone into seeing military and civlian planes as they should be seen - sitting on concrete with the pilots to talk to rather than on Sky News - it is a great day out.
Last year was slightly overshadowed by increased security following September 11th - basically it ws a mess, causing several mile long tailbacks, multiple hour waits to get onto the base etc.
This year it had been sorted out, but noticeably it was higher than ever. Having said that, for anyone who doubts the seriousness of security precautions in this country it could only be reassuring as, by and large, it was well hidden and only recognisable if you knew what things looked like - Numberplate scanner, mobile CCTV fans, helicopter overflights etc. On the acutal base itself nearly all static aircraft had armed policemen around them as well as more foot patrols than you'll ever see in London. On entry you had to be waived over by someone using the new handheld metal/substance detectors, and have any bags etc searched. Food at the show is usually pretty good and not expensive so the best thing to do was just to take cameras - incidentally every single thing at the show can be freely photographed for non commercial use - for most of us this airshow is the only chance to get photographs of craft like the Stealth's , Eurofighter, Joint Strike Fighter etc. After the event - it ended on Sunday - the organisers report that not only was it incident free but overall crime was pretty much non existent.
The actual aircraft on diplay were impressive, with both the USA and UK displaying the most, and latest, hardware - the new Apache, the Joint Strike Fighter, F117, F16's, F15's, blackhawks, Pavelows, Transports etc, with the chance to actually walk through many of the larger planes and helicopters. Several people from the 160th were there - these were the guys who provided the air support during the events in Somalia 1993 and for Special ops worldwide. Also on hand were pilots from the 9th Fighter Squadron - F117 pilots - and other units, talking to them quickly dispells many myths about air combat/bomber pilots. These are not the kind of people who, as some suggest, will lazily target civlians or drop ordinance knowing it could hit civilians. The UK side was also impressibe with the new C17's painted into RAF livery, many UK military vehicles including the new MLRS and UAV vehicles, the famed Eurofighter and more. Also there were many aircraft from other nations as well as pilots.
The flying display was one of the best I've seen in the UK - the highlight being a rather obvious US/UK airforce PR job which featured the F117 Stealth and the Red Arrows flying in formation, with the F117 having for the first time, a british pilot. Also, the first proper UK appearance of the Eurofighter. It's capability to do high angles of attack, almost stop start movement, high turn mobility and the general display did much to show that this aircraft has not been a waste of money. Another highlight was the B2, having flown direct from the USA, using in flight refueling, and accompanied by chaser planes from RAF Lakenheath. Again, the B2 has only ever flown at an airshow outside the USA when it has been one in the UK. The new Mig fighter was also displayed, noticeably outperformed by the Eurofighter, as well as French and Italian display teams, Coastal operations aircraft from around the world, transports etc
All in all an excellent day out, it'll be on next year and if anyone wants to see this kind of thing it is well worth it. But remember the suncream.... I burn :(
For anyone into seeing military and civlian planes as they should be seen - sitting on concrete with the pilots to talk to rather than on Sky News - it is a great day out.
Last year was slightly overshadowed by increased security following September 11th - basically it ws a mess, causing several mile long tailbacks, multiple hour waits to get onto the base etc.
This year it had been sorted out, but noticeably it was higher than ever. Having said that, for anyone who doubts the seriousness of security precautions in this country it could only be reassuring as, by and large, it was well hidden and only recognisable if you knew what things looked like - Numberplate scanner, mobile CCTV fans, helicopter overflights etc. On the acutal base itself nearly all static aircraft had armed policemen around them as well as more foot patrols than you'll ever see in London. On entry you had to be waived over by someone using the new handheld metal/substance detectors, and have any bags etc searched. Food at the show is usually pretty good and not expensive so the best thing to do was just to take cameras - incidentally every single thing at the show can be freely photographed for non commercial use - for most of us this airshow is the only chance to get photographs of craft like the Stealth's , Eurofighter, Joint Strike Fighter etc. After the event - it ended on Sunday - the organisers report that not only was it incident free but overall crime was pretty much non existent.
The actual aircraft on diplay were impressive, with both the USA and UK displaying the most, and latest, hardware - the new Apache, the Joint Strike Fighter, F117, F16's, F15's, blackhawks, Pavelows, Transports etc, with the chance to actually walk through many of the larger planes and helicopters. Several people from the 160th were there - these were the guys who provided the air support during the events in Somalia 1993 and for Special ops worldwide. Also on hand were pilots from the 9th Fighter Squadron - F117 pilots - and other units, talking to them quickly dispells many myths about air combat/bomber pilots. These are not the kind of people who, as some suggest, will lazily target civlians or drop ordinance knowing it could hit civilians. The UK side was also impressibe with the new C17's painted into RAF livery, many UK military vehicles including the new MLRS and UAV vehicles, the famed Eurofighter and more. Also there were many aircraft from other nations as well as pilots.
The flying display was one of the best I've seen in the UK - the highlight being a rather obvious US/UK airforce PR job which featured the F117 Stealth and the Red Arrows flying in formation, with the F117 having for the first time, a british pilot. Also, the first proper UK appearance of the Eurofighter. It's capability to do high angles of attack, almost stop start movement, high turn mobility and the general display did much to show that this aircraft has not been a waste of money. Another highlight was the B2, having flown direct from the USA, using in flight refueling, and accompanied by chaser planes from RAF Lakenheath. Again, the B2 has only ever flown at an airshow outside the USA when it has been one in the UK. The new Mig fighter was also displayed, noticeably outperformed by the Eurofighter, as well as French and Italian display teams, Coastal operations aircraft from around the world, transports etc
All in all an excellent day out, it'll be on next year and if anyone wants to see this kind of thing it is well worth it. But remember the suncream.... I burn :(