Red Dragon wrote:Wrexham Mackem wrote:boff180 wrote:Canberra TT.18 wrote:The static has just one (1) RAF fighter.
A single 9 Sqn Typhoon.
That must be an all time low. (Only one step from the lowest possible )
Indeed, this (IMO) is a very poor commitment from the RAF. Operational requirements or not, there are 2 (I think) Typhoon units deployed out of 8 (soon to be 9).
Agreed. Such apparent apathy towards an event that exists to raise money for RAF charities. Very poor.
Out of a fleet of 150 Typhoons (of various types and tranches) and the RAF can only muster 1 static Typhoon example for the charity that runs a show to raise funds for its own charity?
The Belgians/ Dutch/ Australians at their shows perform 4 ship flypasts, "tactical demo's" etc, static displays from all squadrons (all from Air Forces that are smaller than the RAF)
Having spoken to RAF personnel they all want to show off their latest toys, too me it does genuinely seem the RAF (decision makers) can't be arsed. I do sometimes wonder is it....
A- No funds in the kitty
B- Health & Safety says no/ Too much hassle/ Too much paperwork
C- No interest from the senior RAF personnel themselves
D- All of the above
E- Something totally different
I've done this small list to compare between "I'd better make an effort" to "Time to celebrate"
RAF at RIAT 2019
Eurofighter Typhoon - 158 = 9 x Operational Typhoons Squadrons = 1 x in Static/ 1 in Flying/ Spare.
F-35B - 9 = 1 x Operational F-35 Squadron = 1 Flying (limited aerobatics)
British Aerospace Hawk T2 - 28 = 1 x Operational Hawk T2 Squadron = 1 x Static.
RAAF at Avalon 2019
F/A-18A/B Hornet - 69 = 2 x Operational Legacy Hornet Squadrons = 2 Static/ 4 in Flying/ 2 Spares.
F/A-18F Super Hornet - 24 = 1 x Operational Super Hornet Squadrons = 1 Static/ 4 in Flying/ 2 Spares
F-35A - 14 = 1 x Operational F-35A Squadron = 2 x Flying (Full aerobics)
Hawk 127 - 33 = 2 x Operational Hawk 127 Squadrons = 2 x Static/ 1 in Flying/ 1 Spare.
I was referring to the static aircraft.
I guess the demo will bring a spare and for the FP there will be 3 Typhoons and probably a spare aircraft.
So between 4-6 Typhoons for the flying part.