One of the biggest displays of Royal Navy airpower will be staged at this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to mark 100 years of naval aviation.
More than 40 fixed wing and rotary aircraft, from training squadrons and the front line as well as from the Royal Navy Historic Flight, will combine in unique formations in a dramatic demonstration of Fleet Air Arm aviation during the past century.
The Fleet Air Arm is the Royal Navy’s air force, operating around 200 combat aircraft and more than 50 support/training aircraft. They provide the Royal Navy with a multi-role airborne combat capability in all environments, day and night, over the sea and land.
At the Air Tattoo, rare naval aircraft such as the Swordfish, Sea Hawk and Sea Fury will share the skies with their modern counterparts such as the iconic Harrier and the Jetstream. Also taking part will be Lynx and Sea King squadrons, a variety of training aircraft plus the Royal Navy helicopter display team The Black Cats.
Head of Aircraft Operations Rob Windsor said it was a great honour for the Air Tattoo to be chosen as one of only three events in the UK where the mass flypast would take place. The other two are at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall.
He said: “It’s not every day you have the chance to see the history of Royal Navy aviation before your eyes. It’s going to be quite a spectacle. We hope we’ll also have the opportunity to demonstrate the diverse roles carried out by the Fleet Air Arm including Search and Rescue, anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol. With the Royal Navy’s participation, the Air Tattoo has become a valuable tri-Service event for the British Armed Forces.”
The Air Tattoo, which takes place on July 18-19. is staged in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. Advanced tickets only, priced £34.95, are available from airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. Under-16s go free.