Royal International Air Tattoo

RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire

14 - 15 July 2007

RIAT is renowned for specials in the static park, although it becomes more and more difficult arranging them, due to shrinking forces and lower budgets. The Indian order for 66 BAE Systems Hawk trainers mean that some of them are being built at BAE Warton, thus enabling this example to be present in the static park.

A new addition to the RAF's front line is the Bombardier Sentinel R.1. A military derivative of the Canadair, now Bombardier Regional Jet, it is in fact a mini J-STARS. Rather than having a large crew of operators dissemenating the radar's picture, the Sentinel sends it down to ground stations for analysis. Operating unit is No. 5 sq, RAF Waddington.

The Brazilian Air Force was present with no fewer than two types. Apart from a C-130H Hercules, this EMBRAER C-99A had found its way to Fairford. The C-99 is an AEW derivative of the ERJ.145 regional airliner, sporting a SAAB EriEye radar installation. Originally developed for the Swedish Air Force, EriEye was first installed on Swedish Air Force SAAB 340 turbo prop airliners. The ERJ.145 has better range and speed and flies higher, thus making it a better platform.

Special paint schemes are always to be found as well. 170.000 hours have been logged by the Hellenic Air Force's C-130 Hercules squadron. The perfect occasion for a special tail depicting Greek God Hercules himself on the airplane that bears his name.

Another celebration, this time 25 years of RAF Tornado GR.1/GR.4 operations. No. 9 sq. transferred from Vulcan B.2's to Tornado GR.1's during 1982, a fact remembered on this Tornado GR.4. Another RAF Tornado had a special tail for No. II (AC) sq's 95th anniversary.

Back to the rarities, this time a BAC.111 from the Royal Oman Air Force. In fact, the same BAC.111 has been at earlier Tattoos during the Eighties, however nowadays it may be one of the very few survivors of its type. It is to be replaced shortly by an Airbus A.319, perhaps making this its final appearance.

10.000 hours have already been logged by the Czech Air Force's Aero L.159 ALCA fleet. Flown by 212.tlt, the type partners the more sophisticated SAAB JAS.39 Gripen in a hi-lo mix. The insignia depicts Pegasus, the flying horse.

A rarity from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas was this Beech T-1A Jayhawk. A military derivative of a type which started life as the Mitsubishi Diamond business jet, the T-1A is used for multi engined instruction with 99 FTS / 12 FTW.

Despite a summer marred by bad weather and in fact by severe flooding in the very same County of Gloucestershire in which Fairford is situated, RIAT 2007 can be termed a succes as far as flying displays are concerned. 

Compliments to all, including the traffic management people. It was no problem getting on and off base using the Red routes, provided one arrived early enough and did not insist on leaving right after the show.