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The annual Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford would be extra special this year, with the first visit of six F-35s, including the STOVL B version and the first RAF B model. Aviamagazine was present on the last show day and departure day on Monday.
Like every year the static had a large variety of aircraft, Australia send a KC-30 and Pakistan a beautifully painted Hercules. Also lots of EF-2000s this year. Great to see two Greek Phantoms still going strong. Departure day would prove this is still one of the most impressive fighters out there.
Static
XX319, Hawk
ZK329 / FH, Typhoon
ZG771, Tornado
ZA612 / 074, Tornado
ZK027 / R, Hawk
ZZ191, Hunter
XX316 / CU-849, Hawk
ZH883, Hercules
4144, L-382
CH-08, C-130
60+03, P-3
140105, CP-140
G-AHKX, Avro 652
A39-001, KC-30
39821 / 821, JAS-39
FA-77, F-16
FA-77, F-16
86-0176 / LN, F-15
91-0605 / LN, F-15
86-0165 / LN, F-15
01504, F-4
71755, F-4
01504, F-4
C.16-36 / 14-03, EF-2000
30+59, EF-2000
MM55095 / 4-23, TF-2000
30+29, EF-2000
30+68, EF-2000
ZK315, Typhoon
ZK315, Typhoon
46+50, Tornado
58-0100 / D, KC-135
XW324, Jet Provost
Stars of the show
The F-35s, two present on the static, were of course stars of the show. This was the first time a B model visited Europe. The US Marines from VMFAT-501 brought two aircraft while the Air Force was present with three F-35As! (Two were planned). With the RAF B model, in all 6 were at Fairford during the show days. With two F-22s the Next Gen fighter theme was complete.
12-5058 / LF, F-35
12-5058 / LF, F-35
168727 / VM-19 , F-35
12-5058 / LF, F-35
168727 / VM-19, F-35
168727 / VM-19 , F-35
12-5058 / LF, F-35
09-4181 / FF, F-22
09-4191 / FF, F-22
168727 / VM-19 , F-35
The weather was so so, but at least dry, and during the show, sunny at times. Other highlights on the static were the Croatian Mi-171, first visit, and the Japanese KC-767. Another special visitor was the Omani C-295. This aircraft came straight from the factory and was flown to Oman after the show.
ZE416, A-109
E167 / 705-MN, Alpha Jet
ZJ645, Alpha Jet
D-890, CH-47
12-0063, CV-22
053, Falcon 20
1017, M-28
ZZ337, Voyager
07-3604, KC767
07-3604, KC767
07-3604, KC767
G-ONAA, OV-10
G-PIGY, SC.7
168853 / 853, P-8
168853 / 853, P-8
NZ7572, B757
G-WPNS, BN-2
G-JSAT, BN-2
223, Mi-171
D-HDDL, EC-135
ZJ226, Apache
026, C-295
87+62, Bo105
013, C-295
252, CN-235
50+48, C-160
G-SOAF, Strikemaster
347, C-130
903, C-295
54+03, A-400
I-FENI, P.166
353 / 125-AM, Mirage 2000
353 / 125-AM, Mirage 2000
353 / 125-AM, Mirage 2000
88-0032, F-16
88-0032, F-16
142 / 4-GU, Rafale
375 / 125-CL, Mirage 2000
FA-123, F-16
4046, F-16
523, F-16
In part 2 we look into the airshow, with impressive demo’s of the F-35, EF-2000 and Greek F-16C “Zeus”.
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