RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, 14-16th July 2023
Report by Peter Davison & Colin Coulthard
Reputed to be the largest military airshow in the world RIAT certainly lived up to its name this year. Compared to the dry sweltering heat of 2022 the weather this year was disappointing; Friday was almost totally washed out with severe wind and continuous heavy rain, the Saudi display team being the only significant fliers. Saturday and Sunday also had frequent heavy showers but the sun shone occasionally. With numerous surface attractions with some shelter the crowds still came and enjoyed this amazing spectacle.
Two main themes dominated the displays; the recent celebrations marking the centenary of the Italian Air Force were held in June at Pratica Di Mare but a large representative collection of Italian Air Force aircraft and ‘warbirds’ filled up a large central area of the static park.
The second theme was ‘in-flight refuelling’ with large Airbus and Boeing refuellers on the ground and flypasts of tankers with ‘chicks’ flying in position but disconnected for safety reasons at low level. One of the most interest. and enjoying slightly brighter weather, being a German Air Force grouping of two Tornados behind an A400. The heavyweight Tornado now vanishing from inventories as Typhoon and F-35 take their place in the front line.
Another ‘special event’ was the presence of both Italian and Spanish AV-8 ‘Harriers’; possibly for the last time. The Spanish did the flying, pairing up to fly by with a British F-35 before demonstrating its hovering capabilities and testing the audience’s ear protection.
The F-35 was also shown by the United States and Netherlands Air Forces as they enter service across the NATO nations. On the more historic side, active veterans were also present, two B-52H heavy bombers, one static and one flying were on show showing the enduring quality of these 1950’s designs destined to be re-engined soon for many more years service.
The other piece of history was the first time presence in the UK of the rebuilt Messerschmidt Me-262 fighter last seen in British skies in 1945. Displayed beside an active Gloster Meteor, still in use bu Martin-Baker on ejection seat trials, this pioneering German jet flew a scintillating display on Sunday; certainly a fresh shape in the sky for thousands of spectators.
As ever, the flying display and static included a selection of contemporary fighters with the new mark SAAB Gripen, Finnish F-18 French Rafale and various F-16 Fighting Falcons and Typhoons demonstrating power and manoeuvrability so essential to aerial combat in the pre F-35 era.
As ever, the display teams are a major attraction at any airshow. This year saw the Red Arrows, Jordanian Falcons and Patrulla Aguila from Spain but the major highlights were Fursan Al Emerat from the Emirates and the Saudi Hawks flying Aermacchi MB339NATs and BAe Hawk 65s respectively. Highly impressive formation flying with a whole new selection of smoke colouration drifting east on the strong crosswind.
An unexpected bonus in the static line up were two examples from the Soviet era; a Czech Air Force Mil Mi-171 helicopter and a Polish Sukhoi Su-22M ‘Fitter’. A delight for photographers and nostalgic for those 1980/90 Air Tattoos that bristled with rare types from the Eastern Block.
A wide variety of rotary types were present, particularly from Italy with its strong maritime interest and long coastline. UK agencies were well represented too with Coastguard examples including both fixed wing and rotary types.
Despite the Royal Air Force recently retiring the Lockheed Hercules other air arms brought examples in different variants – another stalwart set to grace our skies for years to come.
Fairford, with one of the longest runways in Europe and its large area of hard standing provides an ideal venue with the east-west orientation and distance from dense populations. The evidence of new build hangars and the presence of a Lockheed U-2S; based at Fairford, suggests that the USAF intend to stay for many more years; let us hope they continue to offer the excellent facilities to sustain the magnificent show for many year to come.
