Show reports

Royal International Air Tattoo 2018

By Gostar den Daas | July 2018
100 years RAF.
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For the 2018 edition of the world’s biggest military airshow we celebrate 100 years RAF. The Royal International Air Tattoo was held at RAF Fairford on the weekend of 14-15 July, and was blessed with beautiful weather. Over 300 aircraft on display with some special visitors. A big contribution from Canada and the Ukraine was back. Also a first European visit for the JASDF Kawasaki C-2.

Static

RAF 100

To celebrate 100 years RAF many aircraft carried the 100 RAF special markings. Due to the close relationship Canada brought a big contribution this year, with their NORAD CF-188 demo and CC-130J, CC-177 and CH-146 Griffon on the static. The last we missed due to bad light conditions in the morning and the fact that it was loaded in the CC-177 at shows end.

Other highlights included the RAF RC-135W, Australian E-7, an operation Meteor T7, used by Martin Baker as an ejection seat flying testbed. Then there was of course the MQ-9B Reaper, which flew in 24 hours from the US in one go to Fairford, a first Atlantic crossing for a medium altitude drone.

Also special were the still fly worthy Whirlwind HAR10 and Sycamore Mk52 helicopters. The last is operated by the Flying Bulls. The Hunter F58A ZZ191 has a magnificent new paint scheme applied. But stat of the show, was the first European appearance of the new Japanese Air Force Kawasaki C-2 transport aircraft.

US contribution was less than other years, but it was nice to see a KC-10 back on the static. Also the E-6 from the Navy is a rare sight.

After last year’s success the Ukraine was back with the Il-76 and two Su-27s.


ZZ665, RC-135

ZJ692, Sentinel

4178 / 178, C-130

177705, CC-177

A30-001, E-7

4178 / 178, C-130

ZH887, Hercules

ZM411, Atlas

ZE700, BAe146

ZK378, Typhoon

ZA588 / 056, Tornado

XX203 / CF, Hawk

XW216, Puma

ZF378 / RN-S, Tucano

XJ729, Whirlwind

OE-XSY, Sycamore

WV740, Pembroke

XW324, Jet Provost

WA638, Meteor

G-ETPF, H125

G-ETPA, PC-21

N190TC, MQ-9

ZM416, Atlas

D-CNEU, DO-228

85-0096 / EL, B-1

85-0096 / EL, B-1

85-0096 / EL, B-1

61-0321 / D, KC-135

08-0050, CV-22

92-2104, HC-130

169335, P-8

163918, E-6

ZZ191, Hunter

XX157 / CU, Hawk

ZK001 / AF, Merlin

ZH839, Merlin

G-MCGW, AW189

68-1203, C-2

68-1203, C-2

68-1203, C-2

68-1203, C-2

68-1203, C-2

NH-221, NH90

07-7188, C-17

MM81868 / 15-05, HH-101

MM81805 / 15-49, HH-139

87-0120, KC-10

CE-02, ERJ-135

Q-29, AH-64

77, EMB-121

1962, C-27

08, C-27

71 Blue, Su-27

71 Blue, Su-27

41 Yellow, AN-2

E-018, F-16

J-879, F-16

78820, Il-76

78820, Il-76

L9-68, PC-9

260, PC-9

MM62223 / 46-88, C-27

54+10, A400

344, C-130

505, C-130

1503, C-130

8T-CA, C-130

B-536, C-130

44+65, Tornado

03, C-17

30+94, EF-2000

MM7345 / 37-45, F-2000

39825 / 825, JAS-39

Air Show

Highlight of the air show would have been a Romanian MiG-21, but unfortunately a MiG-21 crashed just two weeks before the RIAT at a Romanian air show. The fleet was grounded thereafter. Hope to see them next year.


130 / 4-GI, Rafale

130 / 4-GI, Rafale

130 / 4-GI, Rafale

NH-219, NH90

NH-219, NH90

-, AT-339

-, Hawk

520, F-16

520, F-16

520, F-16

9239, JAS-39

9239, JAS-39

MM5520 / 61-16, T-346

MM5520 / 61-16, T-346

CSX62219 / RS-50, C-27

CSX62219 / RS-50, C-27

CSX62219 / RS-50, C-27

H-29, A-109

On the next page, more highlights from the airshow, including the US heritage flight, RAF 100 celebrations, the Canadian CF-188 demo and the ever impressive Su-27.

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