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Post by dave on Jun 15, 2023 17:28:01 GMT
hi,
Starting off, we have more aircraft from the United States Air Force. Bolstering the static display, we have some cracking examples of fast jets, including an F-15E Strike Eagle, an F-35A and a pair of F-16CJ Fighting Falcons!
As part of our SKYTANKER23 theme, we have a pair of USAF KC-135R Stratotankers, one joining the static display and another providing a flypast on the Saturday and Sunday of the show.
We are very happy to also confirm that the RAF Chinook Display Team will be performing in the flying display on Saturday and Sunday, Wokka Wokka! In addition, we will also be seeing Joint Helicopter Command Apache, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters within our static display. These will all be arriving on Friday afternoon and available to see on the ground over the weekend.
To round off our rotary additions, we have four more military helicopters. From the French Navy, we have the NH90 Caiman and Dauphin, and from the Irish Air Corps we have an Augusta Westland AW139 and Eurocopter EC135.
regards,
dave...
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Post by zz on Jun 22, 2023 6:50:15 GMT
I think the special Tuesday update went unnoticed…
Latest Update - 20th June
Today we have a special aircraft update, dedicated to the Italian Air Force, who will be sending a huge array of aircraft to RIAT 2023 to celebrate their 100th Anniversary!
In the air, RIAT visitors will be treated to four flying displays from the Italian Air Force! We welcome the return of the Reparto Sperimentale Volo with their impressive solo displays of the F-2000A, T-346A, C-27J (which last year won the Sir Douglas Bader Trophy). All the aircraft from RSV have been adorned with specially painted tails for their centenary display year which we will see at Fairford. In addition, a special addition for their centenary year, we will also see a search and rescue demonstration from their HH-139B helicopter.
On the ground, visitors to RIAT 2023 will be able to enjoy viewing a myriad of Italian Air Force aircraft types. A highlight will be the participation of a pair of U-208A aircraft, wearing a spectacular special scheme to celebrate the centenary. The list includes special mission aircraft such as their Airborne Early Warning Gulfstream and P-72A Maritime Patrol Aircraft, combat helicopters such as the HH-212A & HH-101A, C-27J transport aircraft and a pair of Tornados. Finally, we thought RIAT 2022 would be our last chance to see AMX jets at Fairford, so we're extremely excited to see a pair of them again this summer! Grazie!
Finally, as part of our SKYTANKER23 theme, we're pleased to see both their KC-767A and KC-130J tankers represented in the RIAT 2023 static displays too.
As previously advertised, these modern day Italian Air Force aircraft will be collocated with historic Italian Air Force in a special exhibition area. This ITAF100 display will be on near the centre of the showground, on the edge of the Blue & Green Zones. Friday visitors will be able to see some, but not all, of the aircraft. But visitors on Saturday & Sunday will be able to enjoy the full ITAF100 area which is not to be missed. We are thankful to our sponsor, Eurofighter, for their support of RIAT 2023 allowing us to bring you so many interesting Italian Air Force aircraft together for your enjoyment.
Viva l'Italia!
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Post by zz on Jun 22, 2023 12:57:24 GMT
And then the regular Thursday update-
Latest Update - 22nd June
Starting this week with more aircraft from the United States Air Force! Joining the SKYTANKER23 line-up will be their newest tanker, the KC-46A Pegasus. Also joining the static display will be the Dragon Lady, currently deployed to RAF Fairford with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. Finally, an exciting addition from Air Force Reserve Command, in the shape of their special 'Hurricane Hunters' Hercules!
Visitors on Saturday & Sunday will get the rare chance to see the Gloster Meteor, operated by Martin Baker, in the air at RIAT 2023. Whilst the Gloster Meteor won't be performing a display, it will be performing as part of our special SKYTANKER23 flypast, with the BBMF's Lancaster. This is representing the first air-to-air refuelling operations by British military aircraft, in 1949, between a Lancastrian & Meteor.
More fast jets for the static display next, with the Hungarian Air Force providing a JAS-39C Gripen, which will be arriving on Friday.
This week we also have a huge update of civilian aircraft on static display, the majority of which are being provided by our shows' corporate supporters. There are a myraid of interesting types including the debut of Draken's new Honey Badger jets, return of Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight, Pilatus PC-21, Airbus H175M and the RIAT debut of the new DHC-6 Twin Otter Guardian 400 aircraft.
We have added two support aircraft to the participation list, from the UAE Air Force Airlift Wing. We expect to add more support aircraft to the participation list in the coming weeks, which can be viewed by our FRIAT members as they arrive/depart RAF Fairford carrying support equipment and personnel to the event.
This week we have been informed by the Finnish Air Force that due to the extended grounding of their Hawk fleet, it will not be possible for their Hawk Mk.51 to participate at RIAT 2023 as previously planned.
This week we have also updated the participation list, based on the current static aircraft parking plan, to show which aircraft will be on display on Friday. This is why the majority of the participaiton list appears as 'new' as they have been updated with their Friday display status.
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