MigBuster 2,877 Posted July 19, 2010 F-16AM F-22A F-4F F-5E (Swiss display team) Su-22M2 (Polish AF) RNLAF F-16AM and AH-64 double act Vulcan B.2 F-16AM RNLAF ME108 Taifun (news to me) F-16CJ B50 (USAFE - SP) Su-22M2 ME109G-4 & Spitfire LF Vb Hunter FGA.9 B-52H AMX Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted July 20, 2010 Wow, big turnout. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derk 265 Posted July 21, 2010 (edited) Must have been fun again, like it always was. First been there loooooong time ago in 1974 at Greenham Commons, had a litlle chat then with Douglas Bader (then the honorary president) and there was an icredible lot of exotic stuff. In later years the Queens Jubilee was the occasion where HMAS Melbourne was in Southampton and there was a demo of an A4G as well as just about everything from USS Enterprize: A7, A6, Prowler, A3D, Viking and of course the Tomcat. Greenham Commons was a big bomber base (just like Fairford) with HUGE aprons, making wonderful exhibition space. The RIAT was the living proof of the thesis that at airshows you ALWAYS see something that you have never seen before or something you will never see again...... Hou doe, Derk Edited July 21, 2010 by Derk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Jimbib 732 Posted July 21, 2010 The RIAT was the living proof of the thesis that at airshows you ALWAYS see something that you have never seen before or something you will never see again...... 100% spot on, I saw this at RIAT in 2003, knowing I'd never see it again... http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/Lockheed-F-117A-Nighthawk/0600507/L/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,877 Posted July 21, 2010 Must have been fun again, like it always was. First been there loooooong time ago in 1974 at Greenham Commons, had a litlle chat then with Douglas Bader (then the honorary president) and there was an icredible lot of exotic stuff. In later years the Queens Jubilee was the occasion where HMAS Melbourne was in Southampton and there was a demo of an A4G as well as just about everything from USS Enterprize: A7, A6, Prowler, A3D, Viking and of course the Tomcat. Greenham Commons was a big bomber base (just like Fairford) with HUGE aprons, making wonderful exhibition space. The RIAT was the living proof of the thesis that at airshows you ALWAYS see something that you have never seen before or something you will never see again...... Hou doe, Derk Incredible you got to speak to Douglas Bader - this year is the 70th aniversary of the BoB so the program had a big feature on the man himself - didnt realise he was president from 76 until his death in 1981. There was a lot there - although that shot of the F-117 and the Red Arrows is a sight to behold!! Some other things i didnt photo - (1. Battery ran out 2. no good at photography) Spitfire LF mk9 and Eurofighter Typhoon duel synchronised low speed display - amazing new A400M display Spits, Hurricanes and BF109/108s flying together. FA-18F (US Navy) display Gripen NG (Static) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derk 265 Posted July 21, 2010 (edited) Incredible you got to speak to Douglas Bader - this year is the 70th aniversary of the BoB so the program had a big feature on the man himself - didnt realise he was president from 76 until his death in 1981. Sorry, must have been after 1976 then, went a couple of times during those years and lost count. But he was there allright, with his slightly swaggering walk, just taking a stroll and quite nice to talk to. As a FIAT (Friend of the International Air Tattoo) member we had admission to the airfield one or two days before the show and could move around quite freely at the north side of the field . Great memories, like a tent being blown away by a parking F111 (and a VERY wide grin by the pilot), sheltering for a rainstorm under the wing of a Venezolan(!) Canberra (Chavez probably still wearing diapers then) ,operational Vulcans, the first demo by our F27 Troopship by Boy Soons, winning the Display Sword right away, the first early F 16 demo's,first time I saw a Crusader (French Navy), lots of F104's, sizzling Lightning and F 4 demo's,lots of incredible old stuff, long retired since etc. etc. Could write a book about it, it was heaven on earth. (made no pics but I do have sound recordings of some shows) Those were the days my friend ............ Hou doe, Derk Edited July 21, 2010 by Derk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,877 Posted July 22, 2010 Cheers Nesher Would have been ace to see the vast array of classic jets available back in the 70s Mr Derk!! Heres one you might like Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derk 265 Posted July 22, 2010 All over the world at your service sir !! USA, Canada, Afghanistan, Curacao, wherever you order them:grin:... Hou doe, Derk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites