For one week every summer, the quiet Cotswold countryside is transformed as aircraft from around the world descend on RAF Fairford for the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), the World’s biggest Military airshow.

After two years away, it was back and bigger than ever, celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the United States Air Force (USAF) and a theme focused on ‘Training the Next Generation Air Force’, over 250 aircraft from around the globe attended the 3 day event.

Having spent 2014 to 2019 volunteering as part of the RIAT team, it was a little odd to be getting up at a normal hour, instead of 0500, and driving into the show with the rest of the paying public. Yet it was a refreshing opportunity to reset my batteries and see the show that has been part of my life, one way or another, for over 20 years as a punter once again.

With so many nations wanting to attend the show, the organisers extended the weekend’s flying display to over 8 hours in order to accommodate as many participants as possible. Alongside RIAT staples, the Red Arrows and the Frecce Tricolori, the South Korean display team, the Black Eagles wowed audiences as they returned after a 10 year absence. Each team is impressive in it’s own right, but the consensus on the ground was that while the Italian’s won when it came to commentary, the Red’s still have the edge when it comes to creating the best heart, even if it was missing the cupid’s arrow this year.

Likewise the RAF Typhoon display, always a crowd favourite, was given a run for it’s money by the Hungarian Grippen, while the Chinook team, who always make a complex display look easy, had the perfect conditions for a mesmerising bladeslap.

On a personal level, there were two real stand out moments from Saturday’s flying display.

The first was the Italian C-27 Spartan display, flown by the Reparto Sperimentale Volo (RSV). It is astounding just how effective and manoeuvrable this cargo aircraft is, given it’s size. Starting with an unbelievably short take off, the RSV pilots then spent the next few minutes throwing the Spartan around the sky in a series of complex turns and passes, including a full barrel roll along the flight line, before completing an equally short landing, stopping dead centre of the runway to display both the Italian and British flags from the cockpit as they taxied to their designated stand. It doesn’t matter how many times I watch this display it always manages to blow me away, and it seems I wasn’t the only one, as the it won the coveted Sir Douglas Bader trophy for Best Solo Display.

Credit for the second stand out moment has to go to the RIAT Air Operations team who pulled together a flypast from Airbus’s A330-743L, better known by it’s nickname, BelugaXL. Seeing the aircraft in person, it’s easy to see why this super transporter was given it’s nickname, and I love how Airbus have embraced this idea, adding a smiling face to the front of the aircraft, enhancing it’s personality. Again, like the C-27 Spartan, it was incredible to see the grace and elegance the Beluga has in flight, effortless turning to fly back along the flight line for it’s second pass and appearing to simply glide through the sky.

Honourary mention also goes to the Silver Swallows display team. Reformed to celebrate 100 years of the Irish Air Corps, and flying the Pilatus PC-9M, they were a welcome change of pace, among the afternoon’s fast jet displays. Although, I might suggest they revisit their music choice, as the ‘pop’ tunes didn’t quite fit with the aesthetic of the display, or maybe that juxtaposition was the point.

And if the array of entertainment taking place in the Gloucestershire sky wasn’t enough, there was plenty to see and do on the ground as well.

With over a mile of static displays, it’s an opportunity to get up close and personal with a range of military aircraft, past, present and future. This year, the USAF F15 Strike Eagle 75th anniversary paint scheme made it a must see item, especially as it was parked up next to the P-51 Mustang, who’s silver lines glinted invitingly in the sun. Historic Helicopter’s Sea King was also a big crowd pleaser, in it’s recognisable RAF Search and Rescue yellow paint scheme. It was a sad day when this beloved type was retired from service. While in a rare treat, the USAF also brought out the U2 for static display, and seeing it long, narrow wingspan in person makes me even more amazed it ever manages to take off, let along soar through the skies.

The RAF impressed with their dedicated area, showing off all the different aspects of the service in a bid to capture the attention of future, pilots, controllers and engineers. For the more active attendees, a little further down the display line you could get a bird’s eye view of the static line from the climbing wall, while those who wanted the view, but didn’t fancy the climb could opt for a ride in the Ferris Wheel.

And for kids, and those who are kids at heart, the Techno Zone once again went above and beyond with it’s interactive displays as it encourages interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects. A popular attraction, it continues to grow as more and more companies invest in the opportunity to engage with the next generation. The Techno Zone is always a hive of activity, and this year had the added benefit of a series of talks with the subject matter experts, including astronauts Tim Peake and B.G. Charles Duke, a member of the Apollo 16 crew.

As with all shows of this size, it wasn’t without it faults – the food stations were expensive (£5 plus for a sausage roll anyone?) and the toilet stations could have done with both more facilities and better maintenance throughout the day… but the overall experience provided by the event outweigh these negatives and make it worth the trip.

RIAT will return in 2023, and I for one would recommend snapping up a ticket and getting yourself down to RAF Fairford to experience aviation in it’s purest form. Honestly you won’t regret it!

E