© Mark Empson | Royal Netherlands Air Force | General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon | J-616

For more than 50 years, the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has developed and expanded in a fashion few could have managed looking back to the initial events held at North Weald in Essex in the early 1970s. It is now considered one of the best if not the best, military aviation event in the world lasting six days if one includes the three main arrival dates, two main weekend show days, and Monday’s mass departure of air show participants. This years RIAT largely enjoyed generally great weather, and attracted sell-out crowds totalling 150,000 people. 58 nations have now participated at RIAT which includes the latest; Serbia, who’s Air Force sent one of their recently acquired Airbus C295MW.

With airshow themes including the 50th Anniversary of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, 75th Anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Overlord 80th Anniversary, and the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, expectations of high quality participants proved entirely warranted. In the end, close on 250 aircraft attended and it is fair to say that RIAT 2024 will be remembered as a classic from an aviation perspective. The organisers deserve our praise and thanks. The Aeroresource team were present throughout the six days to record this truly spectacular event.

In truth it is difficult to review an event of this scale, especially given the event now has such enormous commercial and business appeal. This may in part help explain the significant increase in price to attend the two main show days, Friday’s smaller preview show timetable and the three park and view days which certainly was a topic of conversation amongst enthusiasts. Allied to the huge hike in  accommodation costs for the travelling public, the financial pressure on the public going forward is one that cannot be ignored. We will however focus on the aircraft and an Air Tattoo which provided an attendance list of truly outstanding quality. 

50th Anniversary of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon

Over the years, the Air Tattoo has become known for celebrating aircraft types and this years event was no different. As the operational service expansion of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II expands, it is hard to believe that the modern looking F-16 whose development has kept pace with the increasing demands of modern warfare is actually 50 years old. The ‘Viper’ is undoubtedly a remarkable fighter jet for which General Dynamics and subsequently Lockheed Martin must be commended. The latest variant in a long line is the advanced F-16V which the likes of the Bahraini and Slovakian Air Forces are in the process of accepting.

The ‘Viper’ line containing examples from many NATO members plus three exciting ‘first timers’ from Jordan, Morocco and Romania was a huge success. The Hellenic Air Force jets also received special anniversary markings following their arrival. Fortunately the weather played ball in the main on Wednesday and Thursday which were the main arrival days for the F-16s. In an increasingly ‘grey’ world, audible gasps could be heard in the viewing areas as the two sand camouflage Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16C/D Block 52s from 6 BAFRA (Ben Guerir Air Base) taxied past the crowds, closely followed by two Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16AM/BMs from the 1st Fighter Squadron wearing special markings. The Royal Moroccan Air Force air and ground crew certainly engaged with the crowds when they departed. Rather than completing their ‘last chance’ checks out of sight, the two F-16s stopped in front of the crowd line at the western end of the airfield where ground crew completed these checks. Crowd satisfaction was heightened when both jets ‘wing waved’ as they departed. Let’s hope they return.

Elsewhere, RIAT 2024 was poignant for the Royal Netherlands Air Force who are retiring their F-16s this year. With this in mind, four aircraft from 312 Squadron based at Volkel attended, and they were joined by an example from Historical Fighters Volkel which has been withdrawn from use. This particular aircraft had received special 50 years anniversary markings applied by Dynamic Vectors. The aircrafts pylons reflected the nations which have operated the F-16 whilst its tail fin paid homage to the aircrafts variant development from F-16A to F-16V.  Nations with F-16s in attendance comprised Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Jordan, Morocco, Romania, Turkey and the United States.

75th Anniversary of NATO

In an increasingly fractious and uncertain world combined with the increasing threat posed by Russia in particular, the anniversary of this alliance which now boasts 28 member nations was timely. Formed on April 4, 1949, RIAT 2024 showcased the significant range and variety of types currently operating on the frontline with NATO members. These included training aircraft, combat, air refuelling, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) and search and rescue. With these elements in mind, the Friday show included a unique flypast which combined a number of these elements. Leading the first was an RAF RC-135 W Rivet Joint ( 51 Squadron) flanked by a French Air Force Mirage 2000-5 F (GC.001/002 Squadron), a special marked Czech Air Force Saab JAS-39 Gripen (211 Squadron) and one of the show highlights; a 6 Squadron Italian Air Force Panavia Tornado IDS marked in celebration of 50 Years of this outstanding aircraft. Element two comprised a NATO Boeing E-3A Sentry flanked by three fast jets from the German Air Force (Eurofighter EF-2000A, TLG74), Spanish Air Force (SF-5M, Ala 23) and Finnish Air Force (Hawk Mk.66, 41 Squadron). The final element comprised three Lockheed Martin F-16s drawn from the United States Air Force in Europe (F-16CM, 52ndFW), Turkish Air Force Solo Turk and Romanian Air Force (F-16AM, 53 Squadron).

Royal Canadian Air Force 100th Anniversary

In a similar fashion to RIAT 2023 which celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force, this year it was the turn of the UK’s Commonwealth and NATO partner, Canada. It came as no surprise therefore that the Royal Canadian Air Force pulled out all the stops in sending fast jets, air tankers, transport and search and rescue front line types. These comprised two CF-188 Hornets (425 Squadron) including their outstanding anniversary special marked  jet, an Airbus CC-130 Polaris (437 Squadron) which supported their journey to the UK (via RAF Brize Norton), Boeing CC-177 Globemaster III (429 Squadron) which contained a Bell CH-146 Griffon from Canada’s Aerospace Engineering Test Evaluation unit, CC-130J-30 Hercules (436 Squadron) and finally, one of the Shows headline acts for the static park, a strikingly marked Airbus CC-295 Kingfisher (442 Transport and Rescue Squadron). The RCAF’s heritage was represented by two aircraft; a distinctive distinctive yellow De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk Mk22 from the Shuttleworth Collection, whilst the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron marked their de Havilland Vampire FB52 in Canadian markings.

Elsewhere, RIAT 2024 bought together a number of trial and development aircraft under the operational theme of “Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space”. This theme strongly reflected the significant contribution made to furthering aviation development made by various UK test and development organisations which included most front-line types from Qinetiq based at Boscombe Down (AgustaWestland AW139, Agusta AG109S GrandAirbus Helicopters H125,  Avro RJ100 with a Typhoon nose attached, Beech King Air 350i, Grob G120TP-A and Pilatus PC-21). Environmental research saw Cranfield University’s SAAB 340B+ in attendance plus the Faculty of Airborne Atmospheric Measurement (FAAM) BAe 146-301ARA from the same location. British Antarctic Survey’s bright red de Havilland DHC-6-300 with skis attached was another delightful visitor, as was Germany’s 50 year anniversary marked Panavia Tornado IDS from their test unit, Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 (WTD61) based at Manching. 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron based at RAF Coningsby also attended with one of their Eurofighter Typhoon T3 aircraft.

Elsewhere, the Qatar Emiri Air Force which has become a regional powerhouse since it was formed 50 years ago in 1974, attended with no less than eight aircraft if one includes the two Boeing F-15QA’s which wore full Qatari markings but remained the property of Boeing until their official handover, two Eurofighter Typhoons one of which remained the property of BAe Systems until it is formerly delivered, a second a Typhoon FGR.4 from the joint RAF/Qatar 12 Squadron training unit stationed at RAF Coningsby, three Hawk Mk.167 from 11 Squadron based at RAF Leeming, and finally a Qatar Airways marked Boeing C-17A Globemaster III (10 Squadron) which delivered an NH Industries NH90-NFH Caimen (8 Squadron) initially to RAF Brize Norton where it was assembled before being flown into Fairford.  

Display teams

In many respects, RIAT 2024 transpired to be a British Aerospace Hawk ‘festival’ with three high quality teams displaying on what was the 50th anniversary for this outstanding frontline and training aircraft These comprised the UK’s RAF Red Arrows who are celebrating their 60th anniversary, and two international Hawk display teams; the ‘Midnight Hawks’ from Finland and the ‘Saudi Hawks’ from Saudi Arabia who were returning to Fairford for the second consecutive year. Arriving ahead of RIAT into RAF Waddington, the Saudi Hawks comprising six Hawk Mk.65 aircraft geared up for Fairford by performing at RAF Waddington Families Day on July 13. Long established users of the Hawk, the Royal Saudi Air Force will transition to the Hawk Mk.165 from 2025. There is no doubt that the Finnish Air Force scored highly with aviation enthusiasts sending four former Swiss Air Force Hawk Mk.66s to display, three of them retaining the familiar red and white scheme scheme worn by RAF Hawks from the 1980s. In celebration of the aircraft’s 50th anniversary, Saturday’s display included a five-ship flypast of Hawk aircraft from the Finland, Qatar (Mk.167), Saudi Arabia and the UK (T.2 led by an RAF Red Arrow).

Elsewhere, celebrating their 60th anniversary, the Patrouille Suisse comprising six Northrop F-5E Tiger II aircraft performed once again with precision and were rightly awarded the King Hussein Memorial Sword for the most polished and precise display. They later joined forces with the Red Arrows on Sunday to mark both anniversaries. Slowing the pace down were the Royal Jordanian Falcons who performed expertly with their four Extra 330LX aircraft, and the team of six Royal Norwegian Air Force SAAB MFI-15 Safari training aircraft who performing as the ‘Yellow Sparrows’ flew in excess of 2,000 miles from their home base of Bardufoss inside Norway’s arctic circle to be present. Simply an outstanding effort for this very neat and brightly coloured team. Their considerable effort was rewarded with the team receiving the ‘Spirit of the Meet’ award. It was also great to see the Royal Navy Black Cats helicopter display team return to the circuit with two Leonardo Helicopters AW159 Wildcat HM2 helicopters. In recognition of their excellent performance, the team were awarded the Steedman Display Swordwhich is awarded to the  British participant with the most notable contribution to RIAT. 

Flying Display

RIAT 2024 saw so many individual standout performances its difficult to know where to start. The Spanish Armada excelled once again with the McDonnell Douglas EAV-8B+ Harrier II performing an excellent routine which earned the pilot The RAFTCE Trophy for the best flying display by an overseas participant. The Sir Douglas Bader Trophy for best individual flying display went to the Italian Air Force crew from the Reparto Sperimentale di Volo (RSV) who once again performed dramatic loops and rolls flying their Leonardo C-27J Spartan. The Italian Air Force also displayed their Leonardo T-346A and Eurofighter EF-2000A to the delight of the crowds. 

As a core airshow theme, both the Royal Danish Air Force and Turkish Air Force displayed F-16s over the three display days. It is fair to say that the Royal Danish Air Force who displayed their immaculate ‘Half Century’ special marked F-16AM encountered a ‘testing’ RIAT with both their display aircraft suffering a malfunction on the Friday that could not be resolved, and their static jet suffering a major oil leak on its arrival. Not to be defeated, the Royal Danish Air Force sent a third Block 10 aircraft which was remarkably readied and displayed. An awesome effort by all concerned which received special mention. There is simply no doubt that Turkish Air Force ‘Solo Turk’ display pilots love to perform whether it be simply ‘bunny hopping’ their aircraft and waving as they pass the crowds on the ground, to their dynamic performance in the air which is matched all the way by the outstandingly enthusiastic aerial commentary. Bring it on! 

The RAF support for RIAT has been consistently good over the years from a display and static perspective with most frontline types in attendance. Notable show performances during the three days were provided by one of the best looking RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4s seen in years. Flown by Flight Lieutenant David Turnball, ‘Moggy’ as its become known once again thrilled the crowd as did 207 Squadron with their Lockheed Martin F-35B. 18 Squadron’s Boeing Chinook HC5 role demo was as good as ever. Of note was the return of the RAF Falcons parachute display team who on their return jumped from a 99 Squadron C-17A Globemaster III. No mean feat in itself.

Whilst the NATO flypasts provided the centrepiece of Friday’s displays, Brazilian manufacturer displayed its KC-390 Millennium before this aircraft repositioned to Farnborough ahead of Farnborough International Airshow which took place the following week. Ahead of the eagerly anticipated arrival of two Hellenic Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantoms from 338 Squadron, another ‘rabbit’ was seemingly pulled from the hat with the United States Air Force and its 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissence Squadron based at RAF Fairford displaying one of its Lockheed U-2S. Flying in ‘standard fit’ the aircraft completed some slow, low passes and a number of circuits before the chase cars and crews do what they do on an almost daily basis in front of the crowds. If that was not enough, a second fully mission equipped U-2S later returned to RAF Fairford having completed its secretive day-time mission. It was frankly hilarious watching enthusiasts running to the far end of ‘Park and View’ west carrying ladders to get as close as they could to this unique aircraft as it taxied past the crowd. It does not matter how often you witness this, as an enthusiast the U-2S always leaves an indelible mark!

Three other displays also warrant special mention. These were the twice daily displays by the Boeing Company’s Advanced Eagle Demonstration Team who displayed two Qatar Emiri Air Force Boeing F-15QA Ababil aircraft in both clean and fully-loaded (12 AMRAAM missiles attached) configuration, and the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornet Demonstration Team. Its been many years since the public have been able to witness an F-15 display of such power and flexibility which included a tail-slide. Boeing were clearly out to impress, which the four display pilots did, being voted the ‘Best Display of the Event’ by the Friends of RIAT. After the completion of RIAT, the team moved on to Farnborough where they shone once again.

Aside from demonstrating the capabilities of the Hornet, the Canadian CF-188 Demonstration team from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron also completed a number of commemorative flypasts over the three days in celebration of their centenary. On Friday,  the wonderfully painted Hornet flew with the Red Arrows, and during the weekend show days, the Hornet completed heritage flypasts with a Supermarine Spitfire LFVb from the Fighter Collection. In recognition of his performance, Capt Caleb “Tango” Robert of the Royal Canadian Air Force received The Paul Bowen Trophy  (in memory of RIAT’s co-founder for the Best Solo Jet Demonstration) 

Static Displays

Such is the reputation of RIAT that once again, many nations pulled out all the stops to participate despite the global pressures that exist currently. It is not possible to list them all, but in no particular order, some of the highlights which have not been mentioned earlier are as follows commencing with the rotary elements. 

The highlights for most were Canada’s Bell CH-146 Griffon, German Air Force Sikorsky CH-53GS, Lithunanian Air Force Mil Mi-8T, Norwegian Air Force AW101 ‘SAR Queen’ and the Qatar Emiri Air Force NH-90 NFH. However, for many the show provided the first opportunity to see up close the Army Air Corps latest Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian and the Royal Navy’s Leonardo Merlin HM2 ‘Crowsnest’ helicopters. The Irish Air Corps special marked Eurocopter EC-135, Dutch Helicopter Command NH-90 NFH and Germany’s NH-90 TTH; one of which displayed, were also welcome visitors. A special mention should be made for Historic Helicopters  Westland Lynx AH7 which was recruited to provide air show phototography. 

Fixed wing static displays were equally impressive with a number worthy of special mentions. With only three nations now operating the McDonnell Douglas Phantom Greece, Iran and Turkey), it was fantastic that both Greece (338 Squadron) and Turkey  (111 Squadron) each fielded two F-4 Phantom aircraft. Watching the spirited arrival of the two Greek Phantoms who performed a number of low flypasts was an event in itself! 

RIAT 2024 will also be remembered as the show when three nations attended with F-15s. RAF Lakenheath’s 48 Fighter Wing were joined this year by a Royal Saudi Air Force  F-15SA (6 Squadron) as well as the two F-15QAs from Qatar. Air refuelling support for the Saudi F-15SA was provided by one of the nations Airbus A330-202MRTT (24 Squadron). Alongside the Spanish Armada EAV-8B+ Harrier II which displayed, the Air Force provided two Northrop SF-5Ms from its fast jet training unit Ala 23. Its near neighbour Portugal also impressed with the arrival of its latest Embraer KC-390 Millennium from 506 Squadron . This received the RUAG Trophy (Awarded to the Overall Winner of the Concours d’Elegance). Germany remain strong supporters of the event and this year three Panavia Tornado ECR (TLG51)/IDS (WTD61) attended as did an ‘Open Skies’ Airbus A319-133 which was another rare and welcome visitor. SAAB JAS-39 Gripens from Czechia and Sweden featured as did a further three Leonardo C-27J Spartans from Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. An immaculately prepared Top Aces Douglas A-4N Skyhawk was a great addition as were two Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35As Lightning II’s from 332 Squadron which were attending RIAT for the first time.

Various components of the United States Air Force featured strongly again with RAF Mildenhall and Lakenheath providing all local based types (Boeing RC-135V Rivet Joint, Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II, Boeing KC-135R, McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II) with the exception of their Special Forces Bell Boeing CV-22 Osprey. Air Force Global Strike Command B-52H from the 307thBW/343rdBS was a guaranteed crowd pleaser as was the sight of one of the last four remaining McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender in service with the 60thMW/79thARS. The end of the road for the ‘Big Sexy’ is sadly fast approaching.

© Ian Harding | United States Air Force | McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender | 86-0031

There is no question that 2024 for a great year for the Royal International Tattoo and everyone involved in supporting and organising the event must be commended. The show is nothing without its participants and 2024 raised the bar in this respect. There is also no show without the public both on the show days and also on the arrival days who turn out irrespective of the weather. In this respect, every effort must always be made to ensure that fixed and rotary wing aircraft arriving in particular roll to the end of the runways to enable those in ‘Park and View’ to get what they have paid for ie photographs. 2024 was in the main a good year in this respect but it has not always been the case in the past. I suppose if there is any word of warning to the organisers aside from the continual hassle on leaving the airfield on show days, it is the cost of the event. Everyone understands the enormous cost pressures organisers are under but the same applies to consumers. Whilst advanced tickets are cheaper, park and view tickets purchased on the day were 25% higher than in 2023! Few doubt the value or quality of the event which is first class, just the fact that the pressure on consumers is increasing and more so when one factors in the huge cost of accommodation around the event. The Royal International Air Tattoo is simply one the great global aviation events; let us hope it stays that way. 

Other award winners not mentioned above included:

The Northrop Grumman Trophy  (Awarded to the Runner-up of the Concours d’Elegance Competition) – C130H from 3 Sqn Air Lift Wing – Royal Jordanian Air Force 

The Boeing Trophy  (Awarded to the Concours d’Elegance Best Civilian Aircraft) – Pilatus PC-7 Matthew Hartkop from Switzerland 

The MOOG Trophy  (Awarded to the Overall Winner of the Crew Challenge) – Team Flying Finns from 11 and 41 Fighter Sqns from Rovaniemi and Tikkakoski Air Base, Finnish Air Force 

The Lockheed Martin Trophy (Awarded for the Crew Challenge Runner Up) – Team Night Owls from 67th Special Operations Sqn, 352 Special Operations Wing RAF Mildenhall, United States Air Force 

The RTX Trophy (Awarded for the Crew Challenge Aircraft Recognition Competition) – Team ‘The Flying Camels’ 45 Sqn, RAF Cranwell, Royal Air Force 

You can find out more about the Royal International Air Tattoo and next years show here; https://www.airtattoo.com

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