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This year RIAT celebrates the 50th anniversary of the F-16 Fighter Falcon with an impressive line-up of 20+ different F-16s. The biggest military air show in the world held at RAF Fairford on 20 – 21 July had some special visitors again. Highlights included first F-16 visits from Jordan, Romania and Morocco. But also two Qatari F-15QA and a Saudi F-15SA with the EX Eagle II enhancements and mighty GE F110 engines. Both F-15QAs also showing their capabilities during the air show.
Static
Besides 50 years F-16, RIAT also celebrated 100 years of Royal Canadian Air Force. This brought a large variety of Canadian participating aircraft to the show. Highlight was the SAR CC-295 in its distinctive yellow colour scheme. Also rarely seen a CH-146 from the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETA), which travelled onboard a CC-117.
F-AYFT / 15, S-2
G-FRAD, Falcon 20
ZM329 / 329, Texan
ZM335, Phenom
73-1023, F-4
77-0286, F-4
J-3094, F-5
45+39, Tornado
43+45, Tornado
ZK013 / D, Hawk
ZM141 / 007, F-35
ZM517 / 17, Juno
ZK372 / 372, Typhoon
284, C295
15004, CC-150
146403, CH-146
ZZ343, Voyager
177705, CC-117
130605, CC-130
LN-DHY, Vampire
31+06, EF2000
30+69, EF2000
G-LFVB, Spitfire
188736, CF-188
188774, CF-188
188774, CF-188
188774, CF-188
G-LNKX, Lynx
30+69, EF2000
31+06, EF2000
1962, C-27
295501, CC-295
5389, F-35
C-FGYL / 478, A-4
C-FGYL / 478, A-4
39840 / 840, JAS39
HN-427, F/A-18
77-0286, F-4
73-1023, F-4
ZZ381, Wildcat
HB-HHH, PC-7
HB-VVM, PC-24
G-LUXE, BAe 146
ZK341 / 341, Typhoon
QA270, NH90
A7-MAB, C-17
ZB136, Hawk
ZR521 / QA420, EF2000
26902, (K)C-390
26902, (K)C-390
01, C-17
29502, C295
VP-FAZ, DHC-6
ZK379 / 379, Typhoon
G-ETPR, Beech 300
G-ETPL, BAe 146
G-ETPL, BAe 146
G-ETPP, AW139
G-ETPH, H125
79+10, NH90
N-318, NH90
0273, AW101
T.21-03 / 35-03, C295
19-5495 / LN, F-35
91-0318 / LN, F-15
15+03, A319
641, F-15
641, F-15
L2-01, C-27
2405, A330
85+07, CH-53
26 Blue, Mi-8
270, EC135
OY-HOT, AW169
50 Years F-16
The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s inaugural flight. With more than 4,600 airframes produced over the past five decades, this aircraft has established itself as one of the most successful combat jets in history.
Looking very operational, the opener of the F-16 line-up: Royal Dutch Airforce J-616 is in fact an instructional airframe, which was transported by road to the RIAT. The tail was especially applied for the celebrations.
J-616, F-16
J-616, F-16
J-616, F-16
FB-17, F-16
J-641, F-16
J-014, F-16
J-146, F-16
J-197, F-16
247, F-16
135, F-16
1616, F-16
1609, F-16
91-0418 / SP, F-16
91-0472 / SP, F-16
012, F-16
028, F-16
028, F-16
08-8018, F-16
08-8013, F-16
-, F-16
08-8013, F-16
88-0021, F-16
E-190, F-16
88-0024, F-16
E-006, F-16
E-006, F-16
08-8018, F-16
012, F-16
1616, F-16
135, F-16
J-197, F-16
J-197, F-16
J-616, F-16
The Royal Moroccan F-16s definitely were the highlight in their attractive desert camo.
The Qatari F-15QAs featured full Qatari colours, but were still operated by Boeing and had yet to be delivered to the Qatari Air Force.
QA538, F-15
QA536, F-15
QA538, F-15
QA536, F-15
VA.1B-38 / 01-926, EAV-8
VA.1B-36 / 01-924, EAV-8
VA.1B-38 / 01-926, EAV-8
U.20-2 / 01-406, Cessna 550
5629, C-130
G-ANAF, Dakota
G-ANAF, Dakota
2701, C-27
ZZ178, C-17
62-3563, KC-135
16-5883 / RS, C-130
357, C-130
61-0010 / LA, B-52
20-46079, KC-46
59-1464 / D, KC-135
59-1464 / D, KC-135
357, C-130
64-14841 / OF, RC-135
80-1096 / BB, U-2
64-14841 / OF, RC-135
AE.9-10 / 23-04, SF-5
AE.9-10 / 23-04, SF-5
AE.9-17 / 23-10, SF-5
AE.9-17 / 23-10, SF-5
01522, F-4
01520, F-4
01520, F-4
LX-N90456, E-3
43+97, Tornado
43+97, Tornado
38 / 2-EI, Mirage 2000
MM7067 / 6-41, Tornado
MM7067 / 6-41, Tornado
86-0031, KC-10
12-5759, MC-130
ZM712, AH-64
F-AZYI, Br.1050
D-FCOR, F4
Great to see a KC-10 back on the static. This will be the last appearance as the type is phased out (and replaced by the KC-46) by September 2024. Only 5 aircraft were still operational before retirement.
The German and Italian Air Force brough Tornado’s in special livery, also the celebrate the 50th birthday of that type. Unlike the F-16, the days of this type are numbered, and only small number are currently in service with the German, Italian and Saudi Air Forces.
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