RIAT 2019

[rdchawk]

The Coastguards Cessna still hasn't made it on to the participants list.

[capercaillie]

The Coastguards Cessna still hasn't made it on to the participants list.

Amateurs

[Canberra TT.18]

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 )

well lets honest we only have 2 fighter types. one is displaying, flypasting and on static. the other there are only a small number of and they are busy (we are lucky to be getting a flypast from it)

I know.
Sign of the times.

But still.
I know a lot of air forces in Europe that operate only a single fighter type (in smaller numbers) and show more than one on a non-fighter-base-air-show-base.

[harkins]

Indeed, a single and twin seat example surely wouldn't have been that big a demand on resources would it? The twins are the ones that seem to have hung onto their squadron markings as well.

[boff180]

Indeed, a single and twin seat example surely wouldn't have been that big a demand on resources would it? The twins are the ones that seem to have hung onto their squadron markings as well.

Most twins are being RTP'd.

[boff180]

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).

[Wrexham Mackem]

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.

[rdchawk]

Especially as there is now no RAF "at home" airshow anymore, there should be as many RAF units and types as possible at RIAT.

[Tmyers123]

Especially as there is now no RAF "at home" airshow anymore, there should be as many RAF units and types as possible at RIAT.

Cosford?

[capercaillie]

Especially as there is now no RAF "at home" airshow anymore, there should be as many RAF units and types as possible at RIAT.

Cosford?

True, but how many types can operate from there?

[rdchawk]

Especially as there is now no RAF "at home" airshow anymore, there should be as many RAF units and types as possible at RIAT.

Cosford?

Not run or organized by the RAF is it?

[Flare Path]

The Coastguards Cessna still hasn't made it on to the participants list.

It's in the civilian section - absent from the the Maritime and Coastguard country.

[Airshowhammer]

I think the twin stick Typhoons look better personally.

With regards to the RAF. Them? Embarrassing themselves? Well imagine my shock

Who would have thought it?

[boff180]

It’s operated by a company under contract to the MCA.

[capercaillie]

I think the twin stick Typhoons look better personally.

Burn the witch Ugly humpbacked twinsticks

[harkins]

Indeed, a single and twin seat example surely wouldn't have been that big a demand on resources would it? The twins are the ones that seem to have hung onto their squadron markings as well.

Most twins are being RTP'd.

You'd think that's all the more reason to spare one of the few remaining ones for the weekend. They appear only of use for flying BBC staff around for jollies.

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).

I'll probably be incorrect again but isn't it the case that whilst we're getting more squadrons, in truth it's just a case of spreading what we have more thinly rather than getting extra Typhoons? With the twin seaters getting weighed in for scrap as you pointed out, we'd need a few new ones to just break even.

[boff180]

The entire Tranche 1 fleet was to be retired however they are now being retained for homeland air defence duties.

Technically the two new squadrons has saved us from a further reduction in fast jet numbers.

[adam2628]

I think the twin stick Typhoons look better personally.

Burn the witch Ugly humpbacked twinsticks

+1, no comparison

[harkins]

The entire Tranche 1 fleet was to be retired however they are now being retained for homeland air defence duties.

Technically the two new squadrons has saved us from a further reduction in fast jet numbers.

I see. Small mercies hey?

[Wissam24]

I think the twin stick Typhoons look better personally.

Burn the witch Ugly humpbacked twinsticks

+1, no comparison

+2

[Berf]

I guess everyone is preparing for the Ukrainian tat scrum ...

and the overpriced poor quality stuff

and the great must haves ... but they all went on Friday...

[Red Dragon]

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.

[Spotty_Jag]

Not making excuses for the RAF's lacklustre support to RIAT, but it's worth pointing out that there should be 6x RAF operated Typhoons at Fairford.

[aceyone]

Funny how the RAF always seem to pull out the stops for Her Majesty year after year ,still the top brass have to earn their OBEs/MBEs etc somehow !

[Luke28]

Funny how the RAF always seem to pull out the stops for Her Majesty year after year ,still the top brass have to earn their OBEs/MBEs etc somehow !

Take it you missed this years then?