Tag: 2024

Bumper aircraft announcement sparks Saturday sell out for Royal International Air Tattoo

RIAT Moroccan F16

• Tickets for this year’s event continue to sell at a record pace
• Over 150 aircraft confirmed to take part with further announcements still to come
• All U18s given free entry to the event

A series of aircraft participation confirmations from the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has led to the event selling out on its busiest day.

The event’s bumper aircraft announcement started with the Boeing F-15QA Ababil being unveiled in what will be a dynamic display with plenty of high-speed manoeuvres from this rare Qatari jet.

The world-renowned airshow, which is being held at RAF Fairford from July 19th-21st then revealed the Norwegian Yellow Sparrow display team will also be attending, the first time the display team have performed in the UK.

The Royal Moroccan Air Force, who are returning to the show for the first time since 1995, rounded off the unveilings with a pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons on static display.

Following on from the announcements, the show has now sold out on general admission for Saturday 20th July, with Friday 19th and Sunday 21st July still available but selling fast.

This year, the aviation showcase is highlighting the F-16 as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the Royal Canadian Air Force’s centenary as well as its operational theme of ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’ in recognition of 100 years of military aviation Test and Evaluation flying.

Every year the event attracts 150,000 people to the rural airfield, with last year’s show seeing over 250 aircraft in attendance.

RAFCTE Chief Executive Officer, Paul Atherton said: “We are very much looking forward to hosting the event again this year.

“We’ve some really interesting themes that explore all aspects of aviation from iconic fast jets to aircraft which operate in unique environments.

“Again, we are thrilled to see the level of support the show has received. We are very grateful that so many people enjoy our event and I’d encourage anyone who is thinking of attending to get tickets while they still can.”

In addition to dazzling displays in the air with the likes of the Red Arrows, Spanish Harrier, Patrouille Suisse and Canadian Hornet already confirmed, there is plenty to see on the ground too with the show’s Techno Zone® and Inspire Stage. These ground activities and exhibits support RIAT’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, and its ambition to inspire the next generation of aviators.

“On the showground we also have the Techno Zone and Inspire Stage, which are full of interactive exhibits and speakers,” he added.

“As an event we are focussed on encouraging young people to interact with STEM and aviation and both areas are hugely important to that.

“Under 18s continue to be able to attend the show free of charge and we would love to see more young people join us at RAF Fairford next month.”

To buy tickets for this year’s event visit www.AirTattoo.com.

We welcome Norway and Morocco to RIAT24

RIAT Yellow Sparrow

This week has been a double announcement with the Boeing F-15QA Ababil being added to the flying programme, plus the UK debut of the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s Yellow Sparrows display team!

In addition, we have an exciting variety of aircraft on static display. From Norway, we have a pair of the new F-35A Lightnings, C-130J Hercules and AW101 SAR Queen.

Courtesy of Morocco, we have a pair of F-16s, the advanced Block 52 variant, for our ‘Viper Line’ static display, as we celebrate 50-years of the iconic fast jet. These jets are painted in a fantastic desert camouflage pattern and we’re very excited to welcome them to RIAT 2024, the first time we’ve seen aircraft from the Royal Moroccan Air Force at Fairford since the 1990s.

This week also saw the world mark 80-years since the D-Day landings and staying in line with that, we are thrilled to say we will be joined by a C-47B Dakota. In addition, we have a pair of electrically powered Pipistrel aircraft and for only the 3rd time in RIAT’s history, we’ve got an A-4 Skyhawk coming!

www.airtattoo.com

Aircraft from Poland, Canada and the Royal Navy

RIAT Polish F16

A pair of Polish Air Force F-16s headline this week’s announcement as we make further additions to our flying and static displays.

Their Tiger Demo team will be performing in the flying display, whilst their second fast jet will be lining up along our ever-growing ‘Viper Line’.

Turning to helicopters, we have the Black Cats display team plus two Merlin choppers courtesy of the Royal Navy.

Rounding up the week and bolstering our displays on the ground we have an RAF Poseiden a Royal Canadian Air Force Griffon plus two civilian aircraft in a Mustang and Corsair.

With under 3,000 tickets remaining for Saturday, we urge you to avoid disappointment and book your visit now!

www.airtattoo.com

Jets from Portugal, Lithuania and Hungary to join RIAT24

RIAT Portuguese F16

With less than 10 weeks to go until this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, things are shaping up nicely, with a pair of Portuguese F-16s the latest jets confirmed to be heading to RAF Fairford in July.

Joining a plethora of F-16s across our ‘Viper Line’ we are looking forward to celebrating 50-years of the Fighting Falcon this summer. Meanwhile, also arriving from the Portuguese Air Force is their new Embraer KC-390 for the first time at RIAT.

Elsewhere, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is turning 75-years-old we are delighted to welcome a Lithuanian contingent with a Mi-8T Hip and C-27J Spartan joining us in Gloucestershire. Plus, sticking with NATO, there will be a C-17 Globemaster coming from Heavy Airlift Wing based in Hungary.

Rounding off this week’s announcement we have a Soko Kraguj and a Valmet Vinka taking part in our static display, both of them privately operated in civilian hands.

www.airtattoo.com

King Charles becomes Royal Patron of the RAF Museum

King Charles

We are honoured and thrilled to announce that His Majesty King Charles III has graciously accepted the role of Royal Patron for the RAF Museum. His Majesty’s dedication to honouring the legacy of the Royal Air Force and his unwavering support for our mission to share the story of the service make him a fitting ambassador for our institution.

King Charles III has always expressed pride in his personal connections with the Royal Air Force and has shown a deep interest in the history and wellbeing of the service. His Majesty is a member of the first Graduate Entry at RAF College Cranwell and flew in the Royal Air Force Museum’s British Aircraft Corporation Jet Provost T.5. which is now on display in Hangar 1 at the RAF Museum’s London site.

With His Majesty King Charles III as our Royal Patron, we look forward to further advancing our mission of sharing the rich history and enduring legacy of the Royal Air Force with audiences around the world.

Please join us in extending our warmest welcome and heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty King Charles III for his patronage of the RAF Museum.

www.rafmuseum.org

First time at RIAT for Serbia

Serbian AF at RIAT

This week we’re excited to welcome a new nation to the RIAT, with the Serbian Armed Forces becoming our 58th participant as they feature for the very first time.

Their new Airbus C-295MW transport will be lining up on our static display, and we look forward to seeing them at RAF Fairford in July.

We also have a bumper addition from the Royal Air Force, with seven aircraft joining us on the tarmac in Gloucestershire as we celebrate 75-years of NATO.

They’ll be providing Airbus Juno and Jupiter helicopters from RAF Shawbury, BAE Systems Hawk and Beechcraft Texan from RAF Valley, an Embraer Phenom and Grob Prefect from RAF Cranwell, plus a Grob Tutor.

Rounding off this week is a trio from the Royal Canadian Air Force, which is celebrating its centenary this summer, with a Polaris, Hercules and Globemaster. These three large aircraft will all be parked together, at the eastern end of the airfield in a special RCAF centennial area.

www.airtattoo.com

Gyrocopters Saved at Newark

Gyrocopter at Newark Air Museum

A Campbell-Bensen B.8M gyrocopter, G-ASNY that has been on loan at the Newark Air Museum (NAM) for more than fifteen (15) years was recently bequeathed to NAM in the will of the late gyrocopter collector, Roger Light. This complete airframe has been displayed in Hangar 1 since it arrived at the museum in April 2009.

Additional actions by the museum trustees and its volunteers has also safeguarded a significant collection of other gyrocopter airframe structures, engines, parts and assorted spares.

During several visits to north-west England, the items have been carefully gathered together and moved into storage at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire, close to the county border with Lincolnshire.

Work is already underway to sort the items out and to produce an inventory of what has been recovered. All items are in a good condition and early indications suggest that there are at least two nearly complete machines, with three additional main-frame structures.

The NAM trustees have agreed with the executor of the Roger Light Estate that eventually these gyrocopters should be made available for disposal to other suitable aviation collections across the UK.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Air Forces from the Netherlands, Canada and Slovakia joining us at RIAT24

RIAT Dutch F16

This week sees a five-star update from the Royal Netherlands Air Force with four F-16s and an NH90 helicopter inbound to RAF Fairford this summer.

Featuring along our extensive ‘Viper Line’ of F-16 jets, which are celebrating their 50th anniversary, the four jets from the Netherlands are the latest additions to this special static line-up.

Further afield, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) are sending their new Kingfisher to RIAT for a first-time visit for the aircraft. The RCAF are set to feature heavily at this year’s show as they celebrate their centenary with a designated area on the showground with further additions still to come.

Lastly, we are pleased to confirm the Slovak Air Force are participating with their C-27J Spartan joining us in July.

www.airtattoo.com

Second World War Week at RAF Museum London

RAF Museum London

25 May – 02 June 2024

Travel back in time with the RAF Museum London this May Half-Term with a range of family activities. Discover all about the RAF and life during the 1940s, culminating in our D-Day Weekend.

D-Day, The RAF Story: The Tour

For the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landing, the RAF Museum will be offering a tour for a limited time only, telling the story of the role of the RAF during the D-Day Operations.
Explore the varied roles of the RAF during D-Day, from bombing to reconnaissance and logistics. See this story come to live in the Museum’s Hangars 3, 4, 5 among iconic aircraft such as the Avro Lancaster, the Handley Page Halifax and the de Havilland Mosquito. Delivered by our expert volunteer tours guides; they will meet you by the nose of the Lancaster at your tour time.

Tickets: £10.00
Location: Hangars 345
Date: Sunday 26 May, Tuesday 28 May, Thursday 30 May, Saturday 1 June, Wednesday 5 June and Thursday 6 June.
Timings: 30 min timeslots available 11:00am to 1:00pm then 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Recommended Age: 8+

Aircraft Access: Lockheed Hudson

This is the opportunity to fully experience the aircraft that bravely carried into and out of Nazi occupied Europe.
Although often a forgotten hero of WWII, visitors will be privileged to gain exclusive access to the first Allied aircraft to capture a U-boat, be equipped with airborne lifeboats and shoot down an enemy whilst operating form the British Isles.

Tickets: £5.00
Location: Hangars 345
Date: Saturday 25th, Monday 27th and Wednesday 29th of May
Timings: 15 min timeslots available 11:00am to 1:00pm then 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Recommended Age: 8+

Audio Story WW2 Trail

Embark on an exciting journey through aviation history with the RAF Museum’s brand new trail.

Meet Woof Commander Antis the Dog and Flight Lieutenant Percy the Parachuting Penguin!

Enchanting narration interspersed with the hum of engines and the buzz of crucial radio chatter will guide visitors as they learn of the tales of the brave men, women and animals who made the difference in Britain’s finest hour.

This audio trail promises an accessible experience that transcends anything you’ve heard before. All you will need you will need to access this journey to the pass is your own smart device, headphones and internet access.

What we want to know most is are you Team Antis or a Team Percy? Make sure you let everyone know who is your favourite during your visit!

Tickets: FREE
Location: Hangars 345
Date: Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June
Timings: Drop-in throughout the day, just scan the QR code and go!
Recommended Age: 4+

www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/

Greek F-16s, the FAAM flying laboratory and more..

RIAT Greek F16

More F-16s this week, with a pair of Block 52+ jets from Greece coming to RIAT24 on static display!

Not only will this be a first time visit from the squadron with these aircraft, but their striking ‘Aegean Blue’ colour scheme will make them a stand-out on our ‘Viper Line’ static display.

We also have an air defence variant of the Mirage 2000, which we haven’t seen at RIAT for many years, coming for static display as part of our North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) 75th anniversary theme.

Elsewhere, tying in with our ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’ theme, we have a British Aerospace 146, uniquely modified as an airborne laboratory, which is visiting RAF Fairford for the first time in over a decade.

Operating since 2004, the FAAM flying laboratory is a specially adapted research aircraft managed by a unique team of scientists, engineers, flight technicians and project managers providing a complete package of support for the scientific community. This jet has visited over 30 different countries and carries up to four tonnes of equipment in addition to 18 scientists.

www.airtattoo.com