RIAT 2006 part II: airshow

RIAT 2006 part II: the airshow

The largest military airshow in the world, the Royal International Air Tattoo 2006, was held at RAF Fairford during the second weekend of July (15th and 16th of July). The RIAT is supporting the work of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. This years themes: Rapid Global Effect - It's a speed thing and Army Aviation. Beside of that, it was the 70th anniversary of the Spifire and a goodbye for the Canberra. The airshow was blessed with fantastic weather; blue skies every day! Perfect for an airshow.

Remark: The arrivals, the airshow (both days) and the departures are splitted into three seperate pages. The photographs on this page are made on the Saturday and Sunday.

Swiss Air Force F/A-18C, serial J-5022, is seen here with full afterburner at the beginning of the display. The aircraft is assigned to Fliegerstaffel 11 and flown by Captain Reiner. A price winning display; the Paul Bowen Trophy was awarded for the best solo jet demonstration.

Another aircraft with full afterburner in take off is seen here; an USAF B-1B with serial 85-0061/DY. Unfortunately, the display was short; only two passes were made. Another example was present on static display. Both bombers are based at Dyess AFB, Texas and operated by the 7th Bomb Wing.

Two Typhoon displays could be seen on both days during the weekend. The, Steedman Display Sword award winning, RAF Typhoon display flown by Squadron Leader Matt Elliott from No.29(R) Squadron, RAF Conningsby, and from his Spanish collegue from Ala 11, which is seen here flying the C-16 Typhoon with serial C-16-26/11-06.

The F-15C West Coast Demo Team performed a display on both days. They didn't bring their own aircraft, but borrowed an F-15C, the 86-0167/LN, from the 48th FW based at RAF Lakenheath,UK.

Definately the highlight of the weekend; the Bell-Boeing MV-22B Osprey, a multi-role combat aircraft with tiltrotor technology, combining the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed wing aircraft. MV-22B, 166391/MV-22 is seen here hovering. Another example was present on static display. Both aircraft are assigned to VMX-22, based at MCAS New River, North Carolina, USA.

The Mig-29M(OVT) with serial 156, owned by the Russian Aircraft Corporation, received two awards; the 'King Hussein Memorial Sword' for the best overall flying demonstration and the 'As the crow flies' trophy. The crew, Pavel Vlasov and Mikhail Belyaev, suprised the crowd with manoeuvres that they probably never saw before.

The Lockheed Martin Cannestra Trophy for the best overseas flying demonstration went to Captain Henric Holm for its display in the SAAB JAS.39A Gripen from the Swedish Air Force. JAS.39A Gripen, 39168, is seen here in take off.

Besides of the Mi-24V display, the Czech Air Force also displayed the L-159A Alca. The 6063 is seen here making a nice pass for the crowd. Other Czech aircraft were on static display; a JAS.39C Gripen, Mi-17 and an An-26.

Several international display teams performed during the RIAT; one the left the Red Arrows. In the middle the Spanish Air Force demonstration team Patrulla Águila which celebrated its 21st anniversary this year. The Patrulla Águila operates seven CASA C-101EB Aviojets. On the right the Patrouille Suisse, seen here in formation with a Pilatus PC-21 while banking away from the public after a formation pass. The Patrouille Suisse wasn't the only team flying in formation with another aircraft; the Red Arrows made a pass with a VC-10 in the lead (VC-10, XV104, based at nearby Brize-Norton). A Spanish Air Force Typhoon flew in formation with the Patrulla Águila. The Royal Jordanian Falcons were also present but they are not shown here.

Between the fast jet displays and the helicopter displays, the organisation reserved some time for the Utterly-Butterly team, a formation flying wing walking team flying with two Stearmans.

Besides of the Russian Mig-29M(OVT), another Russian product, a Mi-24V helicopter from the Czech Air Force also flew a display on both days. The 'Hind' with serial 7353 is still wearing the livery applied for the NATO Tiger Meet 2005 which was held at Balikesir, Turkey between April 29th and May 9th.

Last but not least, the British helicopter display teams representing the Royal Navy, Royal Army and the Royal Air Force. On the left, the Black Cats (in this case a Lynx HMA8DSP, serial ZD261/437, and a Lynx HAS3S with serial ZD251/637 in the background) from the Royal Navy. In the middle Royal Army's display; the Blue Eagles. The Blue Eagles fly with four Gazelle AH1s and one Lynx AH1. The Lynx AH1 with serial XZ647/1 is seen here while climbing and turning to go back to the show centre. On the right a Merlin HC.3 (ZJ122/F) flown by Flight Lieutenant Colin Dempster and his crew from No.28 (AC) Squadron based at RAF Benson. An 18 Sqn Chinook also flew a display on the Sunday.