Author: Colin Coulthard

Airshows

Royal International Air Tattoo 2016

RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England 8-10 July 2016 Report by Peter Davison and Colin Coulthard Well, what a show this year. The long awaited UK debut for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that cancelled at the last minute in 2015. Not satisfied with that and with it being a Farnborough year, the organisers attracted no less than six examples for our education and pleasure. Three Air Force A models from the training wing in Luke, Arizona, two B models from MCAS Beaufort , South Carolina and the first RAF B model. Combine that with an A330 tanker from Australia and Boeing 767 from Japan and you realise the extensive reach of the Air Tattoo team and the reputation of this, the largest military airshow in the world.
Airshows

Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Ashton Court, Bristol, 7-9th August 2015 As with any Lighter-than-air festival the weather is a key component. Safe flying requires calm conditions and a complete absence of thunderstorms. For a pleasant change this was the forecast for all three days; attracting balloonists...
Exhibitions

Exercise Indradanush 2015

RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire 17-30th July 2015 When rumours started to circulate of an Anglo-Indian exercise in the UK in July all thoughts immediately turned to RIAT; was there a chance that this prestigious airshow might spring yet another surprise. Sadly it was...
Airshows

Royal International Air Tattoo 2015

RAF Fairford, England, 17-19 July 2015 2015 heralded the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and was celebrated in style at RIAT. A magnificent selection of Hurricanes and Spitfires were brought together to fly in loose formation, accompanied by a real...