Not sure why there is this concentration on fighter types ? I’ve been attending since 1998 and this year I finally get to see Austrian Typhoons!
The Rafale and USAF stuff will be back, but the Austrians? Not so sure….
There seems to be a lack of interest in the helicopters on this thread , yet when the Czech demo attended Biggin Hill and Sanicole, people on here were wetting themselves. Little mention of the Hungarian Mil and Polish Sokol on here - both demos that have had people screaming “why not RIAT?” in the past, when appearing elsewhere.
“No star item”…. So the Koreans, the best display team I have ever seen, are almost dismissed here by some because they turned up once before.
And the immediate questioning of why an Air Force isn’t sending X, because RIAT has secured Y, baffles me….
No show for three years and a war in Ukraine - but all some people want to look at is what isn’t coming rather all the stuff that is ?
Totally agree, it's bizarre.
To be honest i have seen mostly support for this years display. There have been a few gripes about the lack of fighter types (including from myself) but i cannot dispute the quality this year.
I am sure if you were to take a straw poll, most would prefer a varied selection of fighters over choppers. However its a nice change
This is a forum where like minded people should feel safe to express opinion in a mature manner. It needn't be a sychophantic love in with the show organisers. No doubt the organisers do a great job (they have done a fantastic job keeping us up to date this year) but there is nothing wrong with discussing why what how when.
I mainly attend for the fast jets, got to say its disappointing this year. The normal chinook and apache display would be fine for the helicopters. Any more would be over kill, some of the " display" teams feel like fillers and I don't think would have been considered in past years. The Swedish historic flight final making it to the show only to be static is very disappointing.
I’ll have to be honest, for years I’ve had little interest in helicopters or props. I mainly went for the jets and heavies.
This year however, I feel totally different. Whether it’s just the lack of spotting anything military that doesn’t have UK markings over the last three years or not, I’m genuinely looking forward to types such as the NH90, Mi-171, Mi-24 and others. I appreciate that we are in difficult times and if an air arm is able to muster up even a single aircraft to attend, then that’s top marks for me, regardless of if it’s flying or in the static, or if it’s got a burner or not.
In all, I’m looking forward to Fairford in a couple of weeks, and bring on the jets/heavies/copters/trainers! In the ten years I’ve been going to RIAT, I don’t think I’ve ever anticipated one more!
Have to agree people seem to be complaining even though we haven’t had a show for several years it’s like no matter what’s booked to attend people just want everything that isn’t coming. I’m not a massive helicopter person but looking forward to the hinds and stuff I’m just happy I get to be at the show again. The Finnish hawk and seeing a kc-46 for the first time is also a big one for me but 8 hours of flying I’m going to enjoy it all
I love the variety that RIAT brings. Some fast jets, some helicopters, some trainers, the odd heavy. If a show had just a day of fast jets, it wouldn't interest me, I think they'd get tedious half way through the day, you'd be begging for a TBM 700!
As I’m doing the full week I’m looking forward to a lot. I always love seeing the f-15s, the Belgian f-16 was awesome at cosford, the German tornados, the Skyhawk, honestly I just can’t wait now
I just wanted to reply to a couple of people on here, who mentioned getting anxious at attending the show. I suffer from Anxiety, and even though its a lot better, I still have my moments. If youve not been to Fairford before, please be assured there are plenty of open spaces with no crowd on the site where you can just retreat to, and still enjoy the planes flying, even on a Saturday. The car parks are only around a 10-15 minute walk away so you can take a bit of time out there too. And remember, by even just attending youve done brilliant.
I just wanted to reply to a couple of people on here, who mentioned getting anxious at attending the show. I suffer from Anxiety, and even though its a lot better, I still have my moments. If youve not been to Fairford before, please be assured there are plenty of open spaces with no crowd on the site where you can just retreat to, and still enjoy the planes flying, even on a Saturday. The car parks are only around a 10-15 minute walk away so you can take a bit of time out there too. And remember, by even just attending youve done brilliant.
Excellent post Mr Benn - really unless you are trying to get close to the fence or trying to be central to the display there's always bags of space.
If queues are something that trigger your anxiety, arriving after the gates have opened might help, as they get people moving pretty quickly once the showground is opened. Long, but moving. Whereas if you arrive early you're in a long, but not moving, queue.
Buy the sky and sell the sky and lift your arms up to the sky and ask the sky"
Also if you do feel you need to ask someone for help, approach a volunteer - especially the Air Tattoo Crew. We are all here to help and nearly all carry radios when out on the showground.
I am surprised that 2 flying and 1 static Mi-24's are not causing more excitment, a blast from the past of the '90s shows and a true cold war warrior. They have never been a common sight in the UK and I can only imagine future opportunities to see them are likely to be rare to non-existent. Other than in a museum or Russia.
I am really looking forward to this years show, I love the variety. Though it is a shame about the lack of US fast jets and the French, both fantastic displays over the years.
Edit: I am truley amazed to see that there are still 59 operators of the Mi-24 around the world, most are not likely to be on the invite list for RIAT.
Last edited by pb643 on Tue 28 Jun 2022, 8:53 am, edited 2 times in total.
Czechs have accelerated the OSD and are retiring theirs by the end of this year I think (rather than the end of 2023). Almost certainly a last chance to see that display. Their Mi-17s can’t be far behind.
Likewise I’m not sure how long Hungary can keep theirs around, and they’re Westernising their helicopter fleet, too.
I am surprised that 2 flying and 1 static Mi-24's are not causing more excitment, a blast from the past of the '90s shows and a true cold war warrior. They have never been a common sight in the UK and I can only imagine future opportunities to see them are likely to rare to non-existent. Other than in a museum or Russia.
I am really looking forward to this years show, I love the variety. Though it is a shame about the lack of US fast jests and the French, both fantastic displays over the years.
Edit: I am truley amazed to see that there are still 59 operators of the Mi-24 around the world, most are not likely to be on the invite list for RIAT.
Me too The Hungarian Mi-24s (& the Czech helicopters ) are a highlight this year for me.
I know the answer re the lack of excitement generally though regarding these participants (and others) having been on this forum for a few months....they don't have jet engines on the back. If they were sending a pair of MiG-21s or Su-22s (as they used to when they had them) I expect the show would be being hailed as a classic.
Edit: just to add, I think it's only a few isolated examples on here though...I expect if there was a poll most would agree this year looks like a really great event in the circumstances, & would hold up well to most other shows across the last 10 years or so
Last edited by Bodz156 on Tue 28 Jun 2022, 8:55 am, edited 2 times in total.
I am surprised that 2 flying and 1 static Mi-24's are not causing more excitment, a blast from the past of the '90s shows and a true cold war warrior. They have never been a common sight in the UK and I can only imagine future opportunities to see them are likely to rare to non-existent. Other than in a museum or Russia.
I am really looking forward to this years show, I love the variety. Though it is a shame about the lack of US fast jests and the French, both fantastic displays over the years.
Edit: I am truley amazed to see that there are still 59 operators of the Mi-24 around the world, most are not likely to be on the invite list for RIAT.
I love the noise that the hind produces, very unique.
Am i correct in saying that i might have saw a couple of hinds in Cyprus? Cant remember, not sure if its some figment of my imagination!!
Yup, Cyprus (Greece) has 11 Hinds based at Paphos (Military side) that are being sold imminently and replaced by 12 x H145M helicopters.
I remember a short holiday 10 miles down the coast and 2 Hinds flew over. took 2 snaps as i didnt think they owned any.
The Hungarian Mi-24s (& the Czech helicopters ) are a highlight this year for me.
