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Historic aircraft confirmed for 2023!

RIAT Me262

Another week, another set of amazing aircraft announcements!

Kicking us off, it’s with great pleasure that we can say the SKYTANKERS are here! First on the list, we have a KC-135 Stratotanker being supplied by Metrea Strategic Mobility for our static aircraft display. This aircraft was once flown by the Republic of Singapore Air Force and is now being flown by to provide commercial air-to-air refueling for partner Air Arms. The camouflage scheme will be a real highlight, make sure you don’t miss it whilst you are on the showground!

Some rare aircraft from the Italian Army will also be joining the static display this summer. Confirmed this week, we have an amazing trio: A debuting UH-169B Helicopter, a fantastic Dornier Do-228 and a rarely seen Mangusta attack helicopter!

Last (but certainly not least) we are very excited to announce that we will be adding a Messerschmitt Me 262 to our flying display! This will be the first time that the UK will see one of these classic jets performing at an air show, so a thank you to Airbus for their efforts to support the aircraft for us to enjoy in July.

Tickets are still available for all days of the show, so get your tickets now to make sure you do not miss out on the fantastic lineup we have this year! You can check out all our Aircraft Updates here, to learn more about each aircraft and find some teasers as to what we might be announcing in the coming in the future.

https://www.airtattoo.com/tickets

Do you like fast jets?

RIAT Harrier

We’re well underway with the aircraft announcements for RIAT23 and the flying display is beginning to take shape.

It won’t be long until RAF Fairford is alive with the roar of engines and there will be plenty of fast jets in the skies to get your blood pumping.

We already have F-16s courtesy of the Belgian Air Component and Royal Danish Air Force, Gripens from the Czech Air Force and Swedish Air Force, a Hornet from the Finnish Air Force, a Harrier from the Spanish Navy, and a Typhoon from the Royal Air Force.

We announce new aircraft at midday every Thursday so make sure you keep an eye out for the latest additions!

https://www.airtattoo.com/tickets

Model masterpieces on show at the RAF Museum

RAF Museum Model Mania

Date: 30 April 2023 / Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm / Cost: Free entry
Airfix Make and Take: £5.00 per Airfix kit
Weathering Workshop: £40.00 per person

Discover the exciting world of model aircraft at the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands’s Model Mania event on Sunday 30 April.

Explore the Museum hangars where you will find a collection of large models displayed under the wings of the real aircraft. Airfix model making activities are guaranteed to get the whole family gluing, building and painting together in this nostalgic hands-on hobby. Advanced modellers who want to fine tune their skills can pick up tips from an expert in an exclusive workshop. Or browse the trade stalls where you can pick up all the model kits and equipment you could ever wish for and continue the modelling fun at home!

The Museum has partnered with the Large Model Association to showcase almost 100 large model aircraft, many alongside their full-size counterparts. Some of these ‘not so mini’ models have a wingspan of more than 20ft including a replica Vulcan. Displays include large-scale model versions of Spitfires, a Wellington, Lancaster, and a host of aircraft drawn from the history of aviation. From high-tech jets to First World War bi planes, all models have been created and engineered with precision to mirror the originals.

The modelling fun will continue in the ‘Airfix Make and Take’ area – where better to get into Airfix kits for the first time, than under the wings of iconic aircraft! This family friendly model making activity will offer children aged 8+ the opportunity to build and paint their own aircraft model to take home. You don’t have to be a skilled modeller to take part as helpers are there to lend a hand. Participation in the activity is £5.00 per Airfix kit.

An introduction to scale model weathering workshop is perfect for modellers who wanted to develop their skills further, by learning how to weather and age their models, giving them a used look. During this hands-on four-hour workshop attendees will learn the fundamentals of weathering techniques in a step-by-step guide, to produce authentic and realistic results. The workshop begins at 11.00am and will cover a variety of techniques from general wear and tear effects to creating and applying rust and realistic colouring. Tickets cost £40.00 per person and places are limited to 15 people.

If the Model Mania activities inspire you to take up modelling, or if you’re a pro on the lookout for a rare model edition, several model traders will be selling everything from kits and paints to magazines.

If you thought getting into modelling was fun, how about getting into a real cockpit! In addition to the Model Mania activities, the Museum will be opening the Hunter and Phantom cockpits giving visitors the opportunity to sit in the pilot seat. There’s no need to pre-book, but youngsters must be a minimum of one metre tall to sit inside the cockpit and be accompanied by an adult.

For further information on Model Mania and to pre-book your arrival time visit www.rafmuseum.org/midlands. Entry to the Museum and the large model aircraft display is free, charges apply for some activities.

Historic aircraft confirmed for 2023!

RIAT Falcons

It’s a welcome return to some RIAT regulars as we’re delighted to confirm the attendance of the Royal Jordanian Falcons at this year’s show! Their Extra 330LX aircraft will be participating in the flying display, while they’ll also be bringing a Hercules for static display alongside the traditional Jordanian exhibition marquee.

Launching our celebration of the Italian Air Force’s centenary, we are pleased to confirm the participation a range of historic aircraft from Italy. The static display will including a significant number of aircraft, all adorned in Italian Air Force markings and parked together in a display celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force. Today we have added 10 aircraft to the participation list, including the colourful P-166C and a trio of FIAT G.46 training aircraft.

Tickets are on sale for all days, with a four hour flying display on Friday, featuring many of the weekend highlights, followed by full-length flying displays featuring all aircraft on Saturday and Sunday.

www.airtattoo.com

April Update at Newark Air Museum

Newark Air Museum Gannett XP226

Amongst the diverse efforts to prepare for the museum’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Restoration Manager at Newark Air Museum has signed off to start on the restoration work on Fairey Gannet XP226.

This much need work had been planned for 2022, but it was delayed by the major repaint work required on Vulcan XM594. In recent weeks some surface preparations work has been carried out on the Gannet, and with the warming temperatures in recent days the first primer has now been applied to the fuselage spine.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

RAF Wings Merchandise added to competition prize pot

RAF Museum Midlands have selected their prizes for the Airscene 2024 Calendar Competition, and have paired up an RAF Wings Wallet with an RAF Wings Leather Bottle Opener Keyring.

3 prize bundles have been offered with a combined value of £35 per bundle – the keyrings are currently discounted by 50% for anyone who doesn’t wish to wait to see if they win one.

This is the 12th consecutive year that RAF Museum Midlands have supported the Airscene Calendar Competitions, so do please consider making a visit this year…

Take-off to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in Shropshire and enjoy a great day out for all the family. Admission is free, simply book your arrival time online and then it’s chocks away as you explore the Museum’s vast collection of aircraft, vehicles, artefacts and the fascinating story of the RAF!

The Museum is home to over 75 historic aircraft including the world’s oldest Spitfire, the unique TSR2 and the mighty Vulcan bomber to name but a few, displayed inside three wartime hangars and within the award winning National Cold War Exhibition.

Step back in time and view the interactive Battle of Britain display featuring the world’s oldest Spitfire. The Spitfire forms the centrepiece of the new display, where the RAF’s frontline fighters, the Spitfire, Hurricane, Gladiator and Defiant are face to face with their German rivals the Me 109 and Ju88. Previously unseen objects from the Museum’s collection including flying jackets, medal bars and artefacts from the plotting rooms, will share the stories of the people who helped win the Battle, in the air and on the ground.

Let your imagination take flight inside the National Cold War Exhibition, where you will discover Cold War stories in immersive Hotspots and explore exciting displays of aircraft, iconic cars, models, tanks and even life-sized Russian dolls. Aircraft not to be missed include all three British V Bombers; Vulcan, Victor and Valiant and the English Electric Lightning suspended vertically!

Don’t forget to check out the Test Flight hangar. Here you will find a collection of prototype aircraft, many were produced in secrecy, often utilising components borrowed from other types. Highlights include the Bristol 188, built mainly of stainless steel and designed to investigate the effects of heat on aircraft structures at very high speeds.

Families visiting the RAF Museum Cosford will have the added excitement of a brand-new aviation themed playground to explore. Youngsters who dream of becoming pilots and ground crew alike now have the opportunity to roleplay as they delve into the new bespoke airfield inspired playground, complete with a mock control tower, mini hangar and even aircraft to climb onboard. The new playground will give the Museum’s youngest visitors an interactive RAF experience like no other, from physical training instructor stations, air traffic control, through to refuelling missions.

After wandering in the hangars, visitors can relax and enjoy a coffee in the restaurant which has a great selection of hot and cold food available with views overlooking the airfield.

The Museum is now open daily from 10.00am with a range of measures in place to ensure a safe and great day out for the whole family. While still offering FREE entry to all, visitors are kindly asked to pre-book their arrival time online at www.rafmuseum.org.

To enter the Airscene 2024 Airshow Calendar Competition (currently in Early Entry Phase) please visit: http://www.airscene.co.uk/competitions/2024calendar.php

RIAT23 Merchandise On Sale Now!

RIAT Merchandise

To celebrate the Easter weekend, we are launching the RIAT 2023 clothing range!

This year it’s all about The Awe Inspiring Home of Flight, so our ever popular show range features a dynamic Typhoon in a colourful, illustrative design. Our show t-shirts are available in two fantastic colourways, in either navy or white for unisex adults. We would love to see you wearing your shirts, whether that’s out and about or at the show, please use #RIATMERCH to engage with us on social media!

Other products we are launching today include the polo shirt, pens, #RIAT keyring and some fantastic Wallace & Gromit kits (Build Your Own Rocket or Sidecar Plane, from the extremely popular animations!). Don’t worry we will have the full range of magnets, patches and stickers available at the show in July!

All of our clothing this year is 100% organic cotton and is packaged in compostable bags.

www.airtattoo.com/shop

Rare sightings confirmed for RIAT23!

RIAT Gripen

We loved seeing the reaction to last week’s announcement of the Spanish Harriers, so you can imagine our excitement when we received confirmation that we will have another Harrier at this year’s show! The Italian Navy will provide one of their AV-8B+ aircraft for static display in their first appearance at RIAT since 2005!

If that’s not enough, we’re delighted to welcome the Czech Air Force back to RIAT: In the air we’ll be treated to a solo display from their JAS-39C Gripen, plus a tactical pairs display from their L-159 ALCA jets. They will also be bringing their Mi-171 Hip helicopter for static display.

Joining the HM Coastguard static display area at RIAT 2023 will be two fixed-wing SAR aircraft operated by 2Excel, in the form of their King Air and DA62 aircraft.

www.airtattoo.com

Sunday savings end soon!

RIAT Pilot

We’ll have participating aircraft on the ground of RAF Fairford in just 100 days and will be counting down the hours until the showground opens on Friday morning.

We are offering an Early Bird discount on Sunday tickets until the end of April so make sure that you book soon to save. Following on from the success of last year, Sunday’s show will feature all the thrills you have come to love from RIAT, matching Saturday’s seven-hour flying display and giving the same great access to all areas of the showground.

The line-up is beginning to take shape with the Spanish Navy’s Harriers joining the Red Arrows, the Swedish Air Force’s Gripen display, and many more for what promises to be an excitement-filled show.

www.airtattoo.com

Celebrating 105 years of the Royal Air Force

RIAT Typhoon

Yesterday was a very important day in the aviation calendar, as we wish happy 105th birthday to the Royal Air Force, who were formed on 1st April 1918.

The RAF are a major part of RIAT each year with their presence felt in all areas of the show, from their world-class flying displays to all those who proudly represent them on the ground.

We have already confirmed the Red Arrows and a Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4, as well as a Hurricane, Spitfire, and Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for July’s show. Keep an eye out for further updates in the coming weeks!

The RAF Experience will also return to Fairford, providing the opportunity to meet serving personnel, discover the career and sporting opportunities available, and discuss their day-to-day roles and experiences.