Jul 22

Jul 22 Royal International Air Tattoo 2024

Growing up, my family went to airshows every year. Mildenhall Air Fete, Duxford, Middle Wallop, RAF Waddington, RNAS Yeovilton, Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT). My old man has been a fan of aviation since he was a boy and that love of aircraft was always going to pass through the generations.

We had so many good times at the airshows. Falling in love with the sound of the fighter jets as they turned and burned, the floor and chest shaking when they light the fires. I remember the first time I saw one of my favourite fighters. The F-14 Tomcat (What can I say, I love Top Gun), albeit the memory is seeing it pass between two cars as I sat eating lunch. I’m not even sure how old I was but the memory is there. The first time I sat in a fighter, a Tornado F3 of 56 Squadron. There is a Polaroid of me sat in the cockpit somewhere.

The best airshow of the year was always Mildenhall Air Fete, but The Royal International Air Tattoo though was always a great show, they would celebrate aircraft anniversaries, Air Force anniversaries etc. I remember an anniversary of the C130 Hercules and they had so many attend. Was an amazing sight! I’m not sure when the last time I went there was but I think I would have been around 16? So over 20 years.

The first airshow I took my son to was at RAF Waddington in 2012 and since then haven’t been to any. Not that I’ve not wanted to, but its just never worked out. This year though, a last minute decision was made to attend RIAT with our little ones and carry on the tradition of annual airshows.

She’s not a fan of an airshow, but has a great time anyway

It was a very early start to get there to avoid the traffic and so glad we did. We heard people were waiting up to 3 hours to get parked and in to the Airbase!
Getting there so early means waiting for the flying to start, but that is the time to get around and see as much as you can. If you have ever been to RIAT you’ll know how big RAF Fairford is. We only got around 1/2 of the static aircraft and the flying started. By the end of the show, according to my garmin watch, we walked in the region of 13miles! Its such a big show and airbase.
Our son has always liked aircraft but only recently taken more of an interest and learning about each type, air forces etc so he was so excited to be seeing planes he’d seen online or played with on a game. He loves F5 tigers and A4 Skyhawks. Both of which happen to be at the show and even had F5’s of the Swiss Display team flying. He was ecstatic to see them and more.

I’m not sure who was more excited about going to RIAT, but I felt my inner child coming out. Excited to see all of these military aircraft and even more so about hearing the thunderous roar again. Our Daughter didn’t really enjoy the noise but she had fun being able to walk through the C-17

Being 50 years of the F-16, there was over 20 in attendance from multiple nations! They called it Viper Line. Some of the nations are due to retire their F-16 fleets and this was, I suppose a farewell to them. The F-16 lives on though for many as a highly capable machine.

One of the best things about airshows, is seeing so many people taking pictures. Making memories of their own, plane spotters. All passionate about Military Aviation. Its hard not to be.

The F-4 Phantom is my favourite aircraft. I mean just look at it, what an aircraft! Even today, after being in service for 63 years! Obviously seen many variants and upgrades but it just looks incredible! This is why I was so excited to go to RIAT. Might be the last time we see a Phantom here. Or maybe it will go on for another 10 years, who knows.

RCAF CF-18 performing a high alpha flyby

Once the flying started, it never stopped. Fast jet after fast jet! It was an instant flashback to being at shows with my parents, and now I got to relive that with our children. It felt just the same. Just perfect.

A highlight for any British airshow is seeing the Red Arrows fly. I’ve seen them hundreds of times but still get the same feeling of patriotism. Knowing they are some of the best pilots in the world. And it was the Red Arrows 60th Anniversary!

I Really don’t know why it took so long between airshows to actually get to another, but I’m so glad we did. Our kids got to experience what I remember and very little has changed. With the exception of everyone holding a phone to the sky rather than just watch, but that’s just the time we live in I guess. Aircraft have changed and gone, but it was still a fantastic day and can’t wait for the next.