RAF Fairford RIAT 2024
Story and photos by Jeff Serpa
Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 is in the books. This year RIAT promoted several themes for 2024 and welcomed its 58th participating nation to the airshow. RIAT 2024 attracted a sell out crowd of 150,000 spectators and approximately 250 aircraft from across the globe, making the 3 day RIAT event the largest Military Aviation airshow in the world. RIAT offers a variety of experiences including arrival and departure days, which are not usually part of regular airshow schedules. Photographers and spectators filled car parks and designated areas to watch the nearly 250 aircraft from all around the world arrive and depart RAF Fairford. RIAT is definitely a spectator friendly event. With a variety of seating options and miles of area to sit, you can always find the perfect veiwing spot at RIAT.
FRIAT is a great option at RIAT and well worth the price. FRIAT ticket holders had their own designated seating area, along with an enclosure to escape the elements of the United Kingdom weather, should you need a break from the airshow action. Inside the FRIAT enclosure, the Center of Aviation Photography (COAP) put on a great display. With vendors from Canon CPS, Nikon, Sigma and Epson, FRIAT ticket holders were afforded the opportunity to test out new gear from the world’s leading camera manufacturers. In addition, you could sit down learn some editing techniques and print some high quality prints, compliments of Centre of Aviation Photography. Rich Cooper and his organization did an outstanding job orchestrating this extra added benefit for the FRIAT ticket holders. We are looking forward to seeing the next COAP experience/adventure taken to the next level.
As you walk the RIAT show grounds at RAF Fairford, you will notice no shortage of vendors. There are plenty of food and drink stations to purchase most anything you would want to eat, along with free water stations to refill your water bottles. In addition to the food and drink, you can find almost every aviation related souvenir from one of the many unique global vendors participating at the airshow. Whether you attend one day, or all five days (including arrival and departure days) there is something for everyone at RIAT. From warbirds, to helicopters and modern day military jets, you have the opportunity to see things you would never see any other place in the world. Some airframes are becoming rare and are coming close to the end of their life span. The Luftwaffe and Italian Air Force brought several eye catching Tornados to participate in RIAT 2024. In addition to the to rare Tornado sightings, four F4 Phantoms ( 2 Hellenic Air Force and 2 Turkish Air Force) made a rare appearance at RIAT 2024. The F4-Phantoms arrived as static displays in support of the NATO 75th Anniversary Celebration.
Red Arrows 60 Diamond Season
As one of the world’s premier aerobatic teams, the Red Arrows had completed nearly 5,000 air show performances, in 57 counties by the beginning of 2024. Sixy seasons of dynamic displays while inspiring millions of people through precision performances will be celebrated in the Diamond Anniversary year with unsurpassed aerobatic performances by the Red Arrows in 2024. This milestone season celebrates the excellence, dedication and pride of all those who have worked, supported and watched display performances by The Red Arrows.
50th year anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is fifty years old. The F-16 is still very modern looking with great capability. Lockheed Martin is still producing the most advanced variant of the aircraft, the F-16V and delivering them to nations world wide. The focal point for the 50 year anniversary was the “Viper Line” static display. Planning for the 50 year celebration started in 2022 and was supported by Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman. F-16 Fighting Falcons from nations around the globe supported the event and came with their best color birds. Several F-16 display teams participated in the flying portion of RIAT including the Royal Danish Air Force with their stunning red paint scheme, as well as the Turkish Air Force’s Solo Turk.
75th year anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Nations from around the globe traveled to RAF Fairford to show its solidarity and celebrate the 75th year of NATO. RIAT was able to showcase the aircraft of many NATO nations covering combat aircraft, search and rescue, training, aerial refueling, intelligence and surveillance. One of the highlights to mark the celebration of NATO was the arrival and static display of (4) F-4 Phantoms and the return of the Douglas A-4N Skyhawk from Top Aces. One of (4)of last flying Travis AFB United States Air Force KC-10 tankers made an appearance for static display, in support of the NATO anniversary. Sadly, this particular KC-10 will be headed to the bone yard in the next few months as the KC-10 airframes are retired.
Royal Canadian Air Force Centennial 100
The Royal Canadian Air Force participated in RIAT with a strong showing. April 1, 2024 marked 100 years of service for the Royal Canadian Air Force as a distinct military element. The Centennial milestone places the RCAF in a unique position to honor its heritage, recognize its tremendous people and generate excitement to its bright future. The CF-18 display team was the highlight of the flying for the RCAF, while the static displays were graced by several aircraft marking the heritage of their air power. Several RCAF modern day transport aircraft made appearances including the C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, and the Airbus CC-130 Polaris.
Among the more than 20 hours of flying displays, a few of the flying displays left a lasting impression on RIAT 2024:
-Red Arrows Display team
-Saudi Hawks
-RAF Typhoon Display Team
-RAF Black Cats Helicopter Display Team
-RAF Chinook Display Team
-Spanish Navy EAV-8B Harrier Display Team
-Swiss Patrouille Suisse F-5 Team
-Luftwaffe Eurofighter EF 2000 Display Team
-Luftwaffe Airbus A400m Display Team
-Italian Air Force Eurofighter F-2000A
-Italian Air Force Leonardo C-27J Spartan
-Royal Danish Air Force F-16 Display Team
-Boeing Advanced Eagle Demo Qatari Air Force F-15QA
-RCAF CF-18 Display Team
