Turkish Stars

[Albion143]

When was the last time they attended RIAT? Pretty sure I have never seen them!!

[Professor_M]

I believe their last appearance was 2008 (if that counts). Would be nice to see them back in the UK soon.

[ericbee123]

Won’t they now just be using “Türk Yıldızları” as their name.

Now that Turkish Airlines is now officially only known as Türk Hava Yolları.

And Turkey itself is Türkiye now, despite the English language not having a ü.

[aviodromefriend]

Last time they flew at RIAT was in 1997 after their debut in 1996. The book Airshow mentions there were some problems after that one (unpaid fuel-bill or something like that). Although the Turks said the Stars were ready to come in 1998, RIAT preferred them to not come (back then, that was still something they could afford). In '98 the team showed up at RIAT's rivals' now much missed party at Mildenhall.

[Mike]

They were at the cancelled 2008 RIAT, and at Waddington in 2010

[AMB]

The Turkish Stars are well overdue at RIAT, since last seen there 15 years ago. They haven't been back to the UK since their F-5s changed colour scheme.

[Andyph]

Used to be fairly regular

But last time I saw in the UK was Waddington 2010 .

Also saw them Leeuwarden 2016 which was going to be an F-5 fest - the Turks were there with the Swiss but the Swiss had a prang on the Friday so didn't fly

[Mike]

I enjoyed seeing them at Sanicole in September, and hope to catch them again at Salon de Provence in May

But yes, it would be great to see them at RIAT again.

[Wrexham Mackem]

I'd love to see them back at RIAT, and the slightly baffling thing about it is that the Turkish Air Force are great supporters of the event in general. Just for some reason they haven't sent the team since 2008.

My 'wish' every year is for Turkish and Swiss teams to both be there, I'll wait and hope another year for that one.

[MiG_Eater]

Yep same, I love the F-5 and would absolutely love to see the teams at RIAT.

[JMC]

Are they actually any good?

[Mike]

I think so, yes. F-5s, an eye-catching colour scheme, quite a dynamic display. What’s not to like?

[verreli]

I think so, yes. F-5s, an eye-catching colour scheme, quite a dynamic display.

... and an enthusiastic OTT commentator. Great entertainment.

[JMC]

Because some folk on here have their pitch forks ready for the Thunderbirds and sometimes the same applies to other displays sometimes. The aircraft itself is interesting but the display not so much. Will have the you tube their display later on!

(For the record I really like the Thunderbirds).

[Bodz156]

Are they actually any good?

Yeah, definitely. Saw them at Leeuwarden in 2016 & it's a real shame they never seem to get out to the UK anymore....

I do suspect, however, that we'll be lucky to see *any* Turkish military participation at air displays this year (given what has happened in their country), so this might all be moot...