RIAT 2018 discussion

[Rossbeef]

No Russia or North Korea this year then.

[boff180]

Some interesting/unusual nations invited....

Bangladesh, Barbados, Bolivia, Brunei, Ecuador, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Namibia, China , Vietnam, Zambia

Just to name a few - imagine if just a few of these confirmed quite a lot of potential first time visitors! Everything crossed.etc.

[Steve p]

No Russia or North Korea this year then.

Gutted

[capercaillie]

Invited countries are up

I should think whoever put that list up if still feeling the effects of New Year's Eve (hic!). Do the Korean Air Force and Navy not get along and what have we got against Moldova?

[rdchawk]

Some interesting/unusual nations invited....

Bangladesh, Barbados, Bolivia, Brunei, Ecuador, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Namibia, China , Vietnam, Zambia

Just to name a few - imagine if just a few of these confirmed quite a lot of potential first time visitors! Everything crossed.etc.

Have to admit I thought Really?? Jamaica has an Airforce?? Turns out they do, not that any aircraft has the range to get to RIAT though.

[spotterwilliam]

Barbados

Barbados Airforce:

the Barbados air wing was formed in 1971 it operated 1 Beech Queen Air. in 1981 A Cessna 402C was acquired. since 1985 all aircraft have been retired and the air wing ceased to exist but the BDF is looking to re-establish an air wing

Edit: I now see they have two C-26 for their Coast Guard

[McG]

A lot of Commonwealth countries that fought alongside the RAF in WW2 amongst the invited list. I would expect a lot of these (Caribbean nations and some of the African countries) have been specifically invited as its the RAF 100, and are likely to send a delegation rather than aircraft.

[vulcanshammer]

Barbados

Barbados Airforce:

the Barbados air wing was formed in 1971 it operated 1 Beech Queen Air. in 1981 A Cessna 402C was acquired. since 1985 all aircraft have been retired and the air wing ceased to exist but the BDF is looking to re-establish an air wing

Edit: I now see they have two C-26 for their Coast Guard

They are operated by the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard, not the Barbadians. It appears the BDF has no aircraft at all. Unless they have just acquired something especially for the RAF100!

[Wrexham Mackem]

Countries can attend without any aircraft, which has happened on numerous occasions in the past. Uniforms from some surprising nations can be spotted around the showground. So that would explain those nations that appear to have nothing to bring being on the invite list.

Back to aircraft; I've a hunch about China this year. Based on absolutely no evidence, other than its a Farnborough year, they have had a Reds visit, and very wishful thinking from me!

[vulcanshammer]

There is a LONG list of countries I'd rather see attend in 2018 than China. Sending the Reds was hopefully just to jazz up some trade dealings. Remind them that the UK has more than just Whisky to offer them.

[Berf]

A pilot from both Barbados and Jamaica serviced in the RAF during the Battle of Britain.

And for me, China is top of the list, as long as it is August 1st.

[borismorris]

So its a Mig 21 from Namibia and a Kfir from Ecuador then. Happy days

[Go4Long]

China is definitely an excellent addition. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

[capercaillie]

China is definitely an excellent addition.

What have I missed?

[Brevet Cable]

Meh !!

[Wrexham Mackem]

China is definitely an excellent addition. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

Just to be clear, China haven't been confirmed as participants. They have been invited. There's a huge assumption that one leads to the other.

[Go4Long]

It's an excellent addition to the invitation list...sorry people are connecting dots that aren't there. Even if they don't come, it's an excellent statement on where the relations are at that they're even invited.

[vulcanshammer]

Yes yes, we are all aware China haven't confirmed their attendance.

Shall we have a morbid sweepstake for the first air arm to decline?

[capercaillie]

Even if they don't come, it's an excellent statement on where the relations are at that they're even invited.

Hail to that and likewise to Zambia.

[aviodromefriend]

Meh !!

OK Brevet, speak up!
Are you Statler, or are you Waldorf?

First impression of the list: What did the Dutch do as one of the countries that never missed a show? Then I found out they were mentioned way down the list, next to Turkey. Some politician might take offence with that.

Also it would be nice to see a list of countries that DBH loved to have invited, but were rejected by higher authorities.

[davidjones533]

First impression of the list: What did the Dutch do as one of the countries that never missed a show? Then I found out they were mentioned way down the list, next to Turkey. Some politician might take offence with that.

Probably because it's been listed under T for 'The Netherlands'.

[Amp]

Several alphabetical mysteries in the list, Korea, Belarus, Netherlands etc to name just three...

[Wissam24]

China is definitely an excellent addition. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

Just to be clear, China haven't been confirmed as participants. They have been invited. There's a huge assumption that one leads to the other.

It's also not even the first time they've been invited (or even the second...), so I'm not sure where the excitement is suddenly coming from. Countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Barbados, Ecuador have all been invited before as well.

[boff180]

Probably because it's the most anticipated military airshow in the UK in recent times and the (I think unprecedented) comprehensiveness of the invited country list is giving out the right "noises" to go along with that anticipation.

Also, its dull grey cold and horrible outside and we could do with something to get excited about

[Steve p]

Pretty sure both China and Vietman was invited last year and sent nowt so dont get too excited.
As long as India send over a couple of Jags and soon to be retired Mig 27s ill be more then happy