Tails of RIAT

Here's looking at you... Tails of RIAT

by Gary Parsons

Part five: Choppers galore

The only flying display of any note was provided by the Army's crack team, the Blue Eagles

Not actually a theme or celebration of any kind, a feature of this year's RIAT was the number of helicopters on show, both static and flying in the finale.

So, for no particular reason than to satisfy some of you whirly-bird aficionados out there, a selection of wingless wonders is laid out for your delight and delictation!

	No doubting the star of the event, Polish Navy W-3RM Anakonda was a first-time visitor to RIAT, if not the UK. Some would have preferred it in the static line rather than the NATO parade, but at least we saw it in action!	Dutch Apache AH64A 85-25471 graced the unusually large helicopter park at the eastern end of the airfield, as if to say "we got them first"; the Army Air Corps still await theirs, but at least they won't have to give them back!
One of several Sea Kings to be seen, Belgian example RS05 is a Mk48 and flys with 40 Smaldeel of 15 Wing, based at Koksijde, just across the channel. Always a splash of colour, amongst the greys and greens.			Italian Agusta Bell 212AM MM81162 was another rarity for these shores, operated by 15 Stormo. Basically an enlarged Huey, built in Italy by Agusta, much as Westlands do in the UK.
	Yet another Huey, but this time a Slovenian example from 15 Brigade. Since the Slovenians first turned up at Mildenhall in '97, they are becoming more familiar every year.	Often forgotten on the north side of the airfield, every year sees a CH53G from the German Army provide emergency support; fortunately it has yet to be put to the test.
Not a Chinook, but a CH47D from the Spanish Army. There isn't much of a difference, the 'D model being very similar to the HC2 version operated by the RAF...			...speaking of which, ZD981 from 27 Squadron, RAF Odiham represented the latest unit to turn operational on the aircraft, 27 recently dropping its reserve status.
	One of many French helicopters at Fairford, Cougar 2336 provided the gallic flavour to the finale...	...while Lynx HAS2 627 from 34 Flotille was a welcome change to the normal Royal Navy aircraft.
More ALAT machines were parked at the western end of the airfield, including Gazelle 4216 from EHAP-2 and...			...Fennec AS555UN, winning the 'biggest foil-wrapped lunch in the glove compartment' competition.
	More Hueys, sorry Bell 412s, in the shape of UH1D 71+18 from the SAR squadron LTG 63 of the Luftwaffe, and...	...Norwegian example 141 from 720 Skv, based at Rygge. Fans of the PC game EF2000 will be familiar with that base!
The future of the Royal Navy was represented by Merlin HM1 ZH826 from 700(M) Squadron at Culdrose, we now await the first public showing of the RAF's HC example.			More German SAR capability was on parade with Sea King Mk41 89+54, this time from the Navy and MFG5, based at Kiel-Holtenau.
	Perhaps the only colourful British aircraft at the show, Sea King HAS6 XV712 from 814 Squadron sported a half-Tiger scheme, proving that esprit des corps still exists in the Navy at least.	Perhaps the oldest crate on show, the evergreen Wessex HC2 still flies with 72 Squadron out of Aldergrove in Northern Ireland, although it may be retired at last once the Merlins begin to replace the Pumas at Benson.

That's all, folks!