Page 10 - Aviation News - September 2017

SPECTACULAR RIAT

his year’s Royal International AWARD WINNERS Above: A view of the main taxiway looking
Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in west with the crowd enjoying the diverse
selection of aircraft on show. Air Tattoo
Gloucestershire, held over July King Hussein Memorial Sword, best overall flying photography
demonstration: Capitaine Jean-Guillaume ‘Marty’
T14-16, marked the 70th anniversary Martinez, Escadron de Transformation Rafale 3/4
of the USAF. The air arm provided an array ‘Aquitaine’, French Air Force, Rafale C Canadian Air Force supplied a CH-147F
of aircraft, though the star attraction for many Paul Bowen Trophy, best jet demonstration: Major Chinook that was flown in on a CC-177
was the B-2A Spirit which performed flybys Dan ‘Rock’ Dickinson, 1st Fighter Wing, USAF, F-22A Globemaster III. The French Air Force’s
on the Sunday accompanied by two F-15C Raptor. Couteau Delta team, flying two Mirage
Eagles. The theme provided other highlights, Steedman Display Sword, best flying demonstration 2000Ds, made its UK debut.
including the USAF’s ‘Thunderbirds’ display by a UK participant: Flt Lt Ryan Lawton, 29 (Reserve) The UK military obviously attended in
team, while an F-22A Raptor performed on Squadron, RAF, Typhoon force and provided a glimpse into the future
the Sunday (bad weather prevented it and Sir Douglas Bader Trophy, best individual flying with new training types: a Phenom, Prefect,
some other aircraft flying on the Saturday) display: 1st Lt Andrej Fiorelli, 152nd Fixed-Wing Juno, Jupiter and Texan II (which returned to
Squadron, Slovenian Air Force, Pilatus PC-9M
and also flew with P-51D Mustang Frenesi As the Crow Flies Trophy, best overall flying the US after the show to continue testing). It
(N357FG). A Lockheed U-2S was a welcome demonstration as judged by members of the Friends was also the last public outing for Tornado
feature of the static park. of the Royal International Air Tattoo: Col Oleksander GR4, ZG750 (painted in the Operation
A Ukrainian Air Force Su-27P1M Oksanchenko, 831st Guards Tactical Aviation Granby scheme) before being retired.
Flanker was a standout item in the flying Brigade, Ukrainian Air Force, Su-27P1M Another interesting attendee was a de
programme, and there was a two-seat RAFCTE (Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Haviland DH.9, one of three airframes
UB1M variant in the static park along with Enterprises) Trophy, best flying demonstration by an discovered rotting in a shed in India and
an Il-76MD Candid. Israel sent an aircraft overseas participant: Capt Ivo Kardoš, 211th Tactical painstakingly restored by Aero Vintage and
(a C-130J) for the first time in 15 years. The Squadron, Czech Air Force, JAS 39C Gripen BAE Systems to flying condition though at
Finnish Air Force ‘Midnight Hawks’ team was Best Livery: Reparto Sperimentale Volo, Italian Air the time of the show it hadn’t taken to the air.
Force A-200A Tornado
also welcomed back. Australia deployed RIAT CEO Award, outstanding contribution to the A crowd of 160,000 people witnessed 246
an E-7A Wedgetail and Japan once show: USAF Thunderbirds aircraft taking part in RIAT from 32 air arms
again contributed a KC-767A. The Royal representing 26 nations. Peter R Foster

10 Aviation News incorporating Jets September 2017

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