Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

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capercaillie
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Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by capercaillie »

2001 was a great year for shows for me, Air Fete, a classic Tigermeet at KB, Kemble's Hunter 50 bash, Waddington was top notch with Israeli F-15Is, Cottesmore held its second RIAT with the ongoing works at Fairford, Florennes held a highly varied International show and Hopsten attracted phancy Phantoms. One week after the last event, the world changed as we watched in horror the collapse of the World Trade Centre towers in New York under a terrorist attack televised live before the world like nothing ever before and thousands of innocents died. Understandably priorities changed, Air Fete was never held again, most shows became smaller, many simply vanished. The "Golden era" had ended.

Cottesmore was another cracker despite losing what would have been the star turn when the Romanian HJ-5 crashed during a practice at home, thankfully without loss of life. Romania still made its debut with MiG21s and a C-130, along with Malta (only appearance to date) with Islander and Bulldog. Perhaps most famous for the "Blown by the Bone" incident when some folk thought it was safe to stand right behind (yes the piano keys are next to the fence at Cottesmore) an afterburning four engined bomber kicking out 120,000lb of thrust without falling over! during its practice. Weather on arrivals not quite as good as the previous year, but the show days were far better, I even went in. The German MiG29 got red carded for his low pull out from the dive, the B-1 double rolled on the reheat climb and the Canadian checkerboard Hornet pilot was full of chat in his routine. Many highlights, I'll try and cover as many as I can over the next few posts.

Imageimg163 by Paul Downes, on Flickr

Image[url=https
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"The surrogate voice of st24"

My flickr photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/146673712@N06/

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capercaillie
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by capercaillie »

More from the excellent US participation including the B-1s from Mountain Home and support KC-135 and squeezing a Buff into Cottesmore.
Imageimg173 by Paul Downes, on Flickr

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"The surrogate voice of st24"

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DeanW
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by DeanW »

Really enjoying all your throwback threads on here at the moment Paul. Please keep up the postings!

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Wrexham Mackem
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by Wrexham Mackem »

You've got a rare catch indeed with that F-117 top side!

Some sweet sights here mate, there really are.

As you say, we were on the cusp of the big change into the scene we know today, the sheer variety of types just falling away. Mildenhall, well, it was struggling for other reasons anyway, sadly.

Downes0106
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by Downes0106 »

Another great selection.
Scott

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capercaillie
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by capercaillie »

Thanks guys, glad people are enjoying them, as Dan mentioned on the 2000 thread as well, variety, it was taken for granted that IAT would produce and they did, and perhaps our expectations at times were too much. We did have it good back then.
Next batch, the Swedes brought Gripens instead of Viggens this year, they look the same now so haven't scanned, but an interesting black and gold Sk60 was on static for the trainer theme.The Romanian MiG21UM in the flying display wore an unusual white outline scheme over its green/brown camo and was visually stunning, the more familiar (now) LanceR-C was on static along with a C-130B. A pair of Turkish F-16Ds were an IAT debut.
Imageimg178 by Paul Downes, on Flickr

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"The surrogate voice of st24"

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capercaillie
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by capercaillie »

Huge support at the show from the Italians with rarities such as NH-500Es, Tornado F3 and a PD808GE plus painted AMXs, the Irish brought Gazelle and Alouette III for the first and only time and the Dutch Grasshopper Bo105 returned for a second year. The Maltese made their one and only appearance to date, the Bulldog fitting into the trainer theme and arriving in company with an Islander.
Imageimg193 by Paul Downes, on Flickr

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capercaillie
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by capercaillie »

Lastly for tonight, the Hungarians once again sent the MiG29 display but also a pair of L-39 Albatros trainers for the one and only time to a UK show, sadly runways switched as they were due in so only static and departure shots. A couple of German tiger Tornados from each unit ahead of the next batch.
Imageimg221 by Paul Downes, on Flickr

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"The surrogate voice of st24"

My flickr photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/146673712@N06/

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WG655
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by WG655 »

Some excellent shots here, thanks for posting these. This was my second RIAT and I have some vivid memories of this event despite being so young at the time. Real halcyon days thats for sure.

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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by capercaillie »

Once again excellent support from the French and Germans, the legendary IAT MiG29 participation, I think it was the only time their MiG29 flew at IAT and then it got red carded. We were a little unlucky neither the special scheme MiG or Molders Phantom appeared, they even sent one F-4F back and replaced it with another standard jet!
Imageimg246 by Paul Downes, on Flickr

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"The surrogate voice of st24"

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capercaillie
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by capercaillie »

Nice to get the Finnish F-27 stopping on static, Belgians contributed some trainers to the show theme and the Canadian checkerboard Hornet from 441sqn was on deployment in Europe at the time (I'd already seen it at Koksijde show) and borrowed by the display pilot for the weekend.
Imageimg253 by Paul Downes, on Flickr

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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by Blackbird »

What an outstanding set Paul - very many thanks for the memories!

Andy

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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by capercaillie »

Cheers Andy, the home stretch now with the RAF. The helicopter force was on show with all the big five types, IAT debut for the RAF Merlin but also the final appearance for the Wessex in service, a special flash on the 72sqn machine. C-17 made its debut and the less said about the E-3 special marks the better?!? Made the previous year's NATO special look a bit plain. Camo Canberra T4 was yummy.
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capercaillie
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by capercaillie »

Final part. Hooray, I hear you shout. Jaguars from all four remaining squadrons appeared and it was the last time I saw camo RAF Tornados in service (no I didn't see that one either). Interestingly of all the RAF types I've featured here only three remain in service just 19 years later and one of those is on its last legs. A great show and one year later we were back at a more roomy Fairford but with less to see, au revoir Cottesmore and many thanks for standing in for two top notch events.
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by Ledhead27 »

Best thread of the month! Awesome photos, awesome(r) variety!
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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by PeteFenwick »

Wonderful thread which has brought back lots of memories. Many thanks for posting.

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Re: Cottesmore RIAT 2001 - The Return

Post by Airwolfhound »

Great images, remember that show well, all my pics are on 35mm prints, will see if I can scan some at some point and put them up. Thanks for sharing :-)
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