Wishlist for 2012

[Wes_Howes]

Mirage 2000 won't happen, the French don't display them anymore now they've got the Rafale doing displays

[Kieran]

Let's do this properly by seeing what RIAT might attract due to the themes...

Diamond Jubilee
-All RAF solos and teams (bar the trainers, PLEASE!)
-Canadian CF-18 demo and Canadian heavies on static
-Nigerian Herc
-Pakistan Thunders
-Maltese Bulldogs/Islander
-RAAF heavy (C-130J, AP-3C)
-RNZAF 757/P-3K
-Indian Flankers (did I not hear that they'd be back in the UK next year?)
-Malaysian CN-235 (it's been to RIAT before...)
-South African heavy/Gripens
-Sri Lanka An32
-Sea Vixen
-Meteors

Skylift
-Italian C-27J demo
-A-400M
-C-5B Galaxy
-RAF/USAF/PAPA C-17s
-Hercs a plenty

What I'd like to see
-Spanish Mirage F-1
-Slovak MiG 29
-The themes actually meaning something next year

Now let's see what RIAT actually manage to grab...

[StevenH]

Spanish Mirage F-1

If they say they'll attend again then hopefully they'll actually stay on the list for more than a day...

[AMB]

It is a Farnborough year, taking into account major contract competitions that will be in full flow by this time next year and with other rumours from last year I will predict....

J-10 - August 1st display team.

Andy

The rumours are quite strong as the Chinese want to promote the J-10. I have heard the "August 1st" aerobatic team will carry out a European tour (possibly with IL-76 support) taking in Paris, RIAT and Farnborough. Will not believe this til I see those J-10s on approach!

[Wes_Howes]

Paris? Next year? ILA Berlin perhaps but there's still one hell of a gap between Farnborough and Berlin.

[vulcan57]

It is a Farnborough year, taking into account major contract competitions that will be in full flow by this time next year and with other rumours from last year I will predict....

J-10 - August 1st display team.

Andy

The rumours are quite strong as the Chinese want to promote the J-10. I have heard the "August 1st" aerobatic team will carry out a European tour (possibly with IL-76 support) taking in Paris, RIAT and Farnborough. Will not believe this til I see those J-10s on approach!

Wouldn't that be something if it was to happen ! Wont hold my breath just yet though.

[Wes_Howes]

I know the possibility of the Indians bringing a couple of Su-30s has been mentioned for next year but it would be nice if they could bring something nice along. They are members of the Commonwealth and it is her madge's diamond jubilee next year

[Dragon Rapide]

You should have been at Duxford last month!

[SPLAT]

Will Portugal have a display team?
Due to economic issues , they have already cancelled the Tiger meet.

[Stuka]

Good weather.

[AMB]

Given that the NATO operations in Libya will be coming to an end very shortly, I guess this can only be a good thing for RIAT 2012 and airshows in general.

Yes indeed, perhaps at last we may see something from the New Libyan Air Force? Might be a nice idea for them to send something to say 'thank you' to NATO for all their help? Even a Herk in the new markings would be more than welcome?

[Jeffo98]

What about a whole NATO demo?

[TIGER TIM]

Let's see:
AV-8B+ Italian Navy special paint scheme
AV-8B+ USMC
CV-22 USMC
MC-22 USAF
F-35C USN
F-35 33FW USAF
F-22A
RC-135W RAF(?)
B-2A
EA-18G USN
F/A-18F/F+ RAAF
KC-30A RAAF
Voyager KC2/3 RAF

[Airshowhammer]

Any chance of the E-2C hawkeye?

[st24]

Any chance of the E-2C hawkeye?

No.

[TomTwin]

Any chance of the E-2C hawkeye?

No.

You never know....Might turn up.

[Airshowhammer]

i'd be happy with the nicely painted canadian Cf18

[G-CVIX]

Unlikely but the PAF JF-17 would be lovely even if just for static.

[sr71blackbird]

We really need a stand out couple of aircraft for 2012.
does the US demo teams going, mean that mean that the farnborough bound aircraft such as the F18 Super Hornet, F35 Lightning II and F22 Raptor aint coming now. As well as those we need some Russian aircraft at RIAT, so i wonder if there is any chance of a Tu95 Bear or a Tu160 coming over.
Fingers crossed for a B1b too.

[Skyflash]

We really need a stand out couple of aircraft for 2012.
does the US demo teams going, mean that mean that the farnborough bound aircraft such as the F18 Super Hornet, F35 Lightning II and F22 Raptor aint coming now. As well as those we need some Russian aircraft at RIAT, so i wonder if there is any chance of a Tu95 Bear or a Tu160 coming over.
Fingers crossed for a B1b too.

Any chance of us seeing the Raptor at RIAT 2012 has probably gone.

The Super-H and F-35 are still possiblities, indeed I'd be surprised if we don't get the Super Hornet demo.

Usual comments about Russian participation apply, ludicrously expensive to secure so probably not happening unless the goalposts have shifted in the last 6 months (seems unlikely).

[parabola50]

Is there any chance of an Mi-24? I don't actually know which countries operate them.

[tomcatforever]

Usual comments about Russian participation apply, ludicrously expensive to secure so probably not happening unless the goalposts have shifted in the last 6 months (seems unlikely).

Not to mentioned UK and Russia relations are stilll..? strained because the Alexander Litvinenko saga 5 years ago. With talk of Alexander Litvinenko inquest in 2012 can't see Russia liking that too much

[DanH]

I'm still wondering if there is even a remote possibility of seeing an F22 at RIAT and Farnborough on static display. The trip could be put down as a training exercise and wouldn't have to be from the display flight. One thing that makes me think perhaps not though, is that in '08 and '10 when the Raptor has been over to visit, they've been kept secretly hidden away in a hangar when they're not flying. Does anyone know if there have been static examples at stateside shows or do they just generally not let people get too close a look at them?

[sylvancatharsis]

I'm still wondering if there is even a remote possibility of seeing an F22 at RIAT and Farnborough on static display. The trip could be put down as a training exercise and wouldn't have to be from the display flight. One thing that makes me think perhaps not though, is that in '08 and '10 when the Raptor has been over to visit, they've been kept secretly hidden away in a hangar when they're not flying. Does anyone know if there have been static examples at stateside shows or do they just generally not let people get too close a look at them?

They're not terribly uncommon on static display at Stateside shows. Usually at the bigger base shows and their home bases. There is generally higher security about them, though, and there was a time when they wouldn't let you take photos of the arse end of it (maybe they still don't; I don't find the Raptor particularly photogenic so I never try )

Didn't a pair turn up at the Avalon Airshow in Australia a year or two back?

[Dragon Rapide]

Usual comments about Russian participation apply, ludicrously expensive to secure so probably not happening unless the goalposts have shifted in the last 6 months (seems unlikely).

Not to mentioned UK and Russia relations are stilll..? strained because the Alexander Litvinenko saga 5 years ago. With talk of Alexander Litvinenko inquest in 2012 can't see Russia liking that too much

And whom knows where Russia is headed over the next few months as protets gather force and momentum? I wouldn't count on the provision of hardware to RIAT high in the list, of priorities....