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During a weekend in July, a quiet but extremely large USAF airbase in rural Gloucestershire explodes into life when the Royal International Air Tattoo takes over for the world's largest military airshow. With rising insurance costs and the defence budget of every country being cut, could RIAT 2005 manage to attract enough variety of aircraft to keep the aviation enthusiast happy while making sure that there is enough entertainment for the general public to attend? The answer, YES! Aircraft numbers were noticeably down from previous years but the variety from the different countries that attended made up for this, and the flying display was kept at such a pace that finding time to walk around the static aircraft was somewhat of a challenge.

Throughout the static aircraft, a number of real gems could be seen including the French Air Force EC-160 Gabriel, Hellenic Air Force TA-7 Corsair and the superbly painted RF-4E Phantom, the Italian Navy AV-8B+ and TAV-8B Harrier's, and of course the four Romanian Air Force MIG-21's. Marking the occasion of the 90th anniversary of numerous RAF Tornado Squadrons in 2005, the tail fin of an aircraft from each squadron had been specially painted with an unique design.

One of the themes of RIAT 2005 was 'Tigers roar' where Tiger related squadrons brought along specially painted aircraft. Although a few countries that form part of the tiger meet association failed to send some of their uniquely painted aircraft, the squadrons that did participate certainly compensated for this. One of the most eye catching aircraft lined up in the static was the USAF reserve's KC-135R from the 916th ARW at Seymour Johnson AFB sporting some impressive tiger squadron markings applied as decals by the crew the night before the airshow opened. Other Tiger aircraft included the Polish Air Force SU-22 Fitter in a very flamboyant tiger scheme, the Royal Air Force tiger striped Puma from 230Sqn based at RAF Aldergrove, a Royal Navy EH-101 Merlin from 814NAS and an EF-18B Hornet from the Spanish Air Force.

The flying display on both the Saturday and Sunday was a non-stop eight hour demonstration of pilot and aircraft capability. Although lacking a 'Wow' factor from previous years, it did manage to add a mix of variety that kept thousands of people engrossed throughout the two days. The flying display on both days commenced with a Royal Air Force C-17A Globemaster III from 99Sqn based just up the road at RAF Brize Norton. This was the first time the aircraft had appeared as part of an airshow display, showing its impressive capabilities of being able to land on short runways. After completing its display, the C-17 headed back to RAF Brize Norton and after being loaded with cargo, departed for the Middle East on a resupply mission. The Royal Air Force featured prominently in the flying display with displays from all the fast jets, excellent displays from both the Chinook and Merlin helicopters, the Red Arrows and RAF Lyneham's display team - the Green Barrows who performed a missing man manouvre as a mark of respect to the crew of XV179 who were tragically killed when their C-130K crashed in Iraq.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force once again displayed with vigour in both the F-16 Fighting Falcon and AH-64 Apache displays. The Apache crew managed to get a special dispensation at the last minute for the use of flares during its display which really got the hoardes of spectators going and eventually won the crew of the Apache two trophies during Sunday evening's awards ceremony. Other highlights of the flying were the displays by the FRA Falcons and FRADU Hawks which simulated an attack on a warship, with the Falcons 'launching' four Exocet anti-ship missiles (played by the Hawks). The Finnish Air Force F-18C Hornet and French Air Force Mirage 2000 performed two of the best displays of the weekend with the pilots for each aircraft winning an award for their high 'G' manouvers. RIAT always pulls off some unusual formations during the showdays and the appearance of three Supermarine Spitfires flying with the Red Arrows certainly got cameras clicking.

Overall, RIAT 2005 proved to be a success. Crowd numbers were up by 7% with an estimated 165,000 people attending during the weekend with little to no traffic problems being reported. Aircraft numbers were down but the variety in the static compensated for this. The only thing missing from RIAT 2005 was a flying display that would keep people talking for months on end. The appearance at RIAT 2004 of the F/A-18F Super Hornet was without a shadow of a doubt the highlight of that year, but unfortunately RIAT 2005 couldn't produce something out of the bag that we hadn't seen before. However, clever planning of the flying display did keep the photographers busy for the entire eight hours.

RIAT 2005 Awards

King Hussein memorial sword (Best overall display) - Frecce Tricolori, Italian Air Force

Lockheed Martin Cannestra trophy (Best overseas flying) - Mirage 2000, French Air Force

Steedman display sword - Chinook HC1, Royal Air Force

Sir Douglas Bader trophy (Best individual flying demonstration) - AH-64D Apache, Royal Netherlands Air Force

Paul Bowen solo jet trophy - F-18C, Finnish Air Force

As the crow flies (FRIAT best overall flying demonstration) - AH-64D Apache, Royal Netherlands Air Force

RIAT 2005 best livery - KC135R Stratotanker, USAF Reserve

Copyright © 2007 Neil Jones/Angels-20