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
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.