waz
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Dear forum members after quite an exhaustive period, which included managing photos, uploading video clips and of course this write up, I’ve finally written up my report of this year’s magnificent Royal Air Tattoo, which is the largest military show on the planet, and certainly the greatest in terms of military aviation.
I got up at 05.30 in the morning, please take note of my use of military timing here, it’s all part of the build up to the tattoo. As part of my usual rituals for the day I began to listen to the soundtrack of TopGun and continue to watch the opening five minutes over and over, which are arguably the greatest in any action film. I checked the all important weather report and it outlined showers at the start then the day brightening up, with the temperature being warm. My friend was late, due his young son not being able to sleep, and being the dutiful father he is, stayed up with him till he did. I took this as an opportunity to check through the items I would be taking with me. So going through the list tickets check, gum check, credit cards check, mobile phone check, folding chair check and form of ID check.
By this time my friend had arrived and we left promptly. Having taken the journey for so many years, the excitement never diminishes in any way and the journey is something I greatly look forward to. On the way to Gloucestershire you traverse some of the most magnificent English countryside and scenery. Time goes quickly during the journey, whilst you catch up or indulge in the game of guessing which car is heading to the air tattoo. The journey takes around an hour and 15 minutes, without traffic. Sure enough after an hour 15 minutes we had arrived and joined the short queue to enter RAF Fairford. For those who are not familiar with the air tattoo, the show is held at an active military base. We spent around twenty minutes in the queue and entered the perimeter of the base and were met by a RAF police who directed us where to park. There were many volunteers as well lining the route offering assistance, we were delighted to park right near the ground entrance. We got out and tried to remember where the car was parked in order to find it at the end of the day amidst the thousands of cars parked there!
The air tattoo takes security very seriously, as you might expect considering the climate we live in. As you enter the grounds RAF police monitors your vehicle, and when you reach the gates you pass through the personal security checks, which are manned by private contactors and RAF police. There are metal detectors and other sorts of surveillance going on in order to spot any potential person with bad intentions. Upon entering the ground, armed police were clearly visible, throughout the day I counted near 30, this is on top of plain clothes police mixed in with the crowd and of course the large surveillance operation that goes in the background.
The best way to write up this review in my opinion would be to divide it up according to countries attending.
The British. @blue marlin @Steve781 @mike2000 is back
As usual, being the hosts, no table was left unturned to make sure our guests from other countries are warmly met and their stay comfortable. In terms of the British contribution, it’s always huge, which is expected being the hosts. There was an array of aircraft on show from Typhoon interceptors, to the Red Arrows display team to the Tornados. There was also a small area devoted to the British Army Apaches, which differ a little from their American counterparts, and there was a team on hand to talk about current operations and showcase the helicopter. Sticking to the British contingent the first sight I came across were our Red Arrows i.e. the Hawk trainers or lined up next to each other, which you will see in the picture below. Needless to say everyone enjoys the arrows perform.
The next aircraft I walked up to seemed to be a C130 Hercules belonging to our own RAF.
The RAF had their public relations unit out in force.
Here is an RAF Typhoon.
My videos just show a pass or take off, as I had limited memory on my Iphone 6 and to be honest what’s the point in taping the whole thing when others will do it, and it also spoils my personal viewing pleasure. I have put the corresponding videos from YouTube showing the full display.
RAF typhoon my videos
The old and the new, Typhoon and Spitfire my video
RAF Chinook display team my video.
RAF rescue helicopters
RAF AWACS
I’ll finish off with the beautiful Vulcan long-range bomber. This was her final flight; she has been in civilian hands now for many years after retiring from active service in 1996. She was one of Britain’s greatest assets when it came to our nuclear deterrent and she would have dropped her payload miles from home. She did exactly that when she bombed Argentinian runaways thousands of miles from home.
Read about it here.
RAF - Operation Black Buck
She flew past solo then with the red arrows as part of honor guard. There wasn’t a single person in their seats when this happened. With great sadness we say goodbye. Thank you for your years of service girl.
Vulcan my videos
I got up at 05.30 in the morning, please take note of my use of military timing here, it’s all part of the build up to the tattoo. As part of my usual rituals for the day I began to listen to the soundtrack of TopGun and continue to watch the opening five minutes over and over, which are arguably the greatest in any action film. I checked the all important weather report and it outlined showers at the start then the day brightening up, with the temperature being warm. My friend was late, due his young son not being able to sleep, and being the dutiful father he is, stayed up with him till he did. I took this as an opportunity to check through the items I would be taking with me. So going through the list tickets check, gum check, credit cards check, mobile phone check, folding chair check and form of ID check.
By this time my friend had arrived and we left promptly. Having taken the journey for so many years, the excitement never diminishes in any way and the journey is something I greatly look forward to. On the way to Gloucestershire you traverse some of the most magnificent English countryside and scenery. Time goes quickly during the journey, whilst you catch up or indulge in the game of guessing which car is heading to the air tattoo. The journey takes around an hour and 15 minutes, without traffic. Sure enough after an hour 15 minutes we had arrived and joined the short queue to enter RAF Fairford. For those who are not familiar with the air tattoo, the show is held at an active military base. We spent around twenty minutes in the queue and entered the perimeter of the base and were met by a RAF police who directed us where to park. There were many volunteers as well lining the route offering assistance, we were delighted to park right near the ground entrance. We got out and tried to remember where the car was parked in order to find it at the end of the day amidst the thousands of cars parked there!
The air tattoo takes security very seriously, as you might expect considering the climate we live in. As you enter the grounds RAF police monitors your vehicle, and when you reach the gates you pass through the personal security checks, which are manned by private contactors and RAF police. There are metal detectors and other sorts of surveillance going on in order to spot any potential person with bad intentions. Upon entering the ground, armed police were clearly visible, throughout the day I counted near 30, this is on top of plain clothes police mixed in with the crowd and of course the large surveillance operation that goes in the background.
The best way to write up this review in my opinion would be to divide it up according to countries attending.
The British. @blue marlin @Steve781 @mike2000 is back
As usual, being the hosts, no table was left unturned to make sure our guests from other countries are warmly met and their stay comfortable. In terms of the British contribution, it’s always huge, which is expected being the hosts. There was an array of aircraft on show from Typhoon interceptors, to the Red Arrows display team to the Tornados. There was also a small area devoted to the British Army Apaches, which differ a little from their American counterparts, and there was a team on hand to talk about current operations and showcase the helicopter. Sticking to the British contingent the first sight I came across were our Red Arrows i.e. the Hawk trainers or lined up next to each other, which you will see in the picture below. Needless to say everyone enjoys the arrows perform.
The next aircraft I walked up to seemed to be a C130 Hercules belonging to our own RAF.
The RAF had their public relations unit out in force.
Here is an RAF Typhoon.
My videos just show a pass or take off, as I had limited memory on my Iphone 6 and to be honest what’s the point in taping the whole thing when others will do it, and it also spoils my personal viewing pleasure. I have put the corresponding videos from YouTube showing the full display.
RAF typhoon my videos
The old and the new, Typhoon and Spitfire my video
RAF Chinook display team my video.
RAF rescue helicopters
RAF AWACS
I’ll finish off with the beautiful Vulcan long-range bomber. This was her final flight; she has been in civilian hands now for many years after retiring from active service in 1996. She was one of Britain’s greatest assets when it came to our nuclear deterrent and she would have dropped her payload miles from home. She did exactly that when she bombed Argentinian runaways thousands of miles from home.
Read about it here.
RAF - Operation Black Buck
She flew past solo then with the red arrows as part of honor guard. There wasn’t a single person in their seats when this happened. With great sadness we say goodbye. Thank you for your years of service girl.
Vulcan my videos
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