RIAT 2018 discussion

[RIAT Air Ops]

DBH are very busy today planning the arrivals and static parking planning today i believe.

Well I was busy with the parking plan ........... initial slot planning was last week.

Going home now as I'm seeing things! Long day.

Tom

[RIAT Air Ops]

DBH are very busy today planning the arrivals and static parking planning today i believe.

Yes I'm sure someone said today is the Longest Day for them at DBH and I think Tom mentioned it the other day on this forum.

Longest Day was last Wednesday. To be honest the slot planning never stops between now and the show, it's a continually changing picture.

Tom

[Kevyboy1979]

Just wondering for arrivals does the aircraft tell DBH when they are coming? Or do DBH tell the aircraft what day to arrive?

[TomTwin]

Just wondering for arrivals does the aircraft tell DBH when they are coming? Or do DBH tell the aircraft what day to arrive?

Given planes can't actually talk ( unless you are watching the movie "Planes" and it's sequels ), I'm taking that the air arms would specify when they would like to arrive, due to tasking or operational reasons. I'm sure Tom at RIAT Air Ops will correct me if I'm wrong.

Cheers,

Tom

[AARDVARK]

Well it’s almost 3wks until the first aircraft start touching down at Fairford for RIAT(you could argue there are 4 already there if you include the B1’s currently grounded there )
So my thoughts are, have we any further big announcements?I know details of the Friday flypast haven’t been announced yet or official confirmation on the F-35B attendance,so Iam assuming this will update in due course but what of other nations,India,Japan,Singapore or Ireland even?
Personally I would have liked a few airframes brought in like they did in 2003,it would have been great to see Black Mike(F4),Lightning and Harrier in the static lineup,(yes I know that was RAF Cosford’s thing but it doesn’t stop RIAT doing the same thing aswell!)
Anyway let’s hope that everything billed so far turns up safely and the WEATHER is kind to the event this year.

[CJS]

Well it’s almost 3wks until the first aircraft start touching down at Fairford for RIAT(you could argue there are 4 already there if you include the B1’s currently grounded there )
So my thoughts are, have we any further big announcements?I know details of the Friday flypast haven’t been announced yet or official confirmation on the F-35B attendance,so Iam assuming this will update in due course but what of other nations,India,Japan,Singapore or Ireland even?
Personally I would have liked a few airframes brought in like they did in 2003,it would have been great to see Black Mike(F4),Lightning and Harrier in the static lineup,(yes I know that was RAF Cosford’s thing but it doesn’t stop RIAT doing the same thing aswell!)
Anyway let’s hope that everything billed so far turns up safely and the WEATHER is kind to the event this year.

Apart from the fact the the Harriers were at Cosford anyway, which makes is ever so slightly easier to arrange I would think!

Why India and Singapore specifically? Ireland is more likely, Japan have been in recent years, but why the other 2? Nothing I've seen anywhere official suggests they might be attending, any more than Bangladesh or Jamaica might be

[Gripenjetphotos]

Another Cancellation, a single Chipmunk.

[Airshowhammer]

Noooooo

[Kevyboy1979]

Another Cancellation, a single Chipmunk.

Oh no that's just ruined RIAT for me.

[harkins]

Another Cancellation, a single Chipmunk.

Oh no that's just ruined RIAT for me.

I know you are joking but it is a pity. They might not be the stars of the show but I'd rather have them than any of the GA aircraft, as at least they were used by the RAF and most Chipmunks still carry RAF markings. And always 'the more the merrier' in my opinion (as long as it's military or ex and still in markings).

[The Baron]

Why India and Singapore specifically? Ireland is more likely, Japan have been in recent years, but why the other 2? Nothing I've seen anywhere official suggests they might be attending, any more than Bangladesh or Jamaica might be

Because the RAF was a major presence in both countries for many years and both countries have contributed greatly to the RAF being as well respected as it is today?
In just the same way people have mentioned the South African Air Force, they too have much history with the RAF.

I hope you're not a history teacher, Chris!

[CJS]

Why India and Singapore specifically? Ireland is more likely, Japan have been in recent years, but why the other 2? Nothing I've seen anywhere official suggests they might be attending, any more than Bangladesh or Jamaica might be

Because the RAF was a major presence in both countries for many years and both countries have contributed greatly to the RAF being as well respected as it is today?
In just the same way people have mentioned the South African Air Force, they too have much history with the RAF.

I hope you're not a history teacher, Chris!

I did a history degree and I specialised in WW2 so yes, I understand the history thanks.

My point is that there is nothing to suggest that any of the nations mentioned might be attending RIAT. It's got nothing to do with history, it's to do with a repeated suggestion by some that certain nations (India keeps cropping up) might be more likely to attend this year, or that we might be somehow waiting to hear confirmation that they're coming. As far as I know we're not.

I'm not saying I wouldn't love to see something from India attend, of course I would, my point is simply that we've had nothing to suggest they will be, yet some people are persisting with mentioning them.

[boff180]

Participation update (via the RAES).

This one is especially for Brevet....

Air Power Conference - 61 Nations - 70 Armed Forces Chiefs

[CJS]

Well that softens the blow of losing the Chipmunk at least

[Brevet Cable]

Participation update (via the RAES).

This one is especially for Brevet....

Air Power Conference - 61 Nations - 70 Armed Forces Chiefs

I was beginning to worry there would be a dearth of Airships this year



And I know it'll shock some of you, but I'm another one who's disappointed that the Chipmunk's cancelled, given this year's RAF100 theme.

[vulcanshammer]

Shame about the Chippy. Quite an odd one to cancel at this stage. Still, more room for the Indian Jaguars.

[pete310183]

I maybe seeing things and also quite possibly reading into something that is not there. RIAT have just released two photos onto Facebook regarding the site build begining today, here comes my imagination running wild, in the 2nd picture there are 2 what appear to be fighter jets in the background. I dont think they are B1's which are currently there and id expect to see but equally i cant see them clearly on my phone to make out what they are.

Just my imagination or a possible clue ?

[Luke28]

I did wonder what they were aswell so zoomed in, they're the B-1's mate.

[Iain S]

I maybe seeing things and also quite possibly reading into something that is not there. RIAT have just released two photos onto Facebook regarding the site build begining today, here comes my imagination running wild, in the 2nd picture there are 2 what appear to be fighter jets in the background. I dont think they are B1's which are currently there and id expect to see but equally i cant see them clearly on my phone to make out what they are.

Just my imagination or a possible clue ?

B-1Bs

[pete310183]

I did wonder what they were aswell so zoomed in, they're the B-1's mate.

Oh well that puts that possibility to bed. They didn't look long enough for the B1's but as im on mobile i cannot zoom in well enough to tell.

[capercaillie]

I did wonder what they were aswell so zoomed in, they're the B-1's mate.

Oh well that puts that possibility to bed. They didn't look long enough for the B1's but as I'm on mobile i cannot zoom in well enough to tell.

Plus B-1s will be shorter on most mobile devices compared to a PC.

[harkins]

Fascinated to see what happens if the B-1s are still stranded come the show. One, two, three or four dragged into position for the static display? Left where they are, visible but distant? All four towed to the far side of the airfield out of sight? The dream scenario must be all four departing during the arrivals days and the one slated for static arriving. (Thanks for the quantity check Eric)

[Big Eric]

Fascinated to see what happens if the B-1s are still stranded come the show. One, two or three dragged into position for the static display? Left where they are, visible but distant? All three towed to the far side of the airfield out of sight? The dream scenario must be all three departing during the arrivals days and the one slated for static arriving.

There's 4 of them at Fairford, not 3!

[kinglear27]

Anybody know which Martin Baker Meteor is coming for static display - WL419 or WA638?

[Andyperkins]

Fascinated to see what happens if the B-1s are still stranded come the show. One, two or three dragged into position for the static display? Left where they are, visible but distant? All three towed to the far side of the airfield out of sight? The dream scenario must be all three departing during the arrivals days and the one slated for static arriving.

I'd have thought the dream scenario would be all four remaining and being put on static display then leaving on the Monday.