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by Gary Parsons Part one: Highs and lows Too big? Too much? Whatever you think, the Royal International Air Tattoo is the show to top all shows. Over the weekend of 24 and 25 July, a delicious selection of goodies was on display, with many special colour schemes in evidence to celebrate fifty years of the NATO alliance. With a dearth of airshows in the UK this year, Fairford more than made up in terms of quality and quantity. The highs were many; under cloudless skies most of the weekend, an all-time record of 483 aircraft, representing 45 international air arms, took part in the massive tribute NATO. A crowd of over 190,000 saw two days of aerial routines plus a runway display of NATO aircraft that had a specially painted AWACS E3A as its centre-piece. Also celebrated were 75 years of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, the volunteer personnel currently supporting RAF operations in the Balkans, Cyprus, Italy, the Gulf and Turkey. A poignant moment came with a flypast in memory of the late King Hussein of Jordan, watched on both days by Her Majesty Queen Noor. Her late husband's favourite aircraft, the Dove, was flanked by the Extra 300s of the Royal Jordanian Air Force aerobatic team, the Falcons. King Hussein, an honorary Air Chief Marshal of the RAF and former military pilot, was Royal Patron to the Tattoo from 1983 to 1989, often arriving at the controls of his TriStar with the words "This is King Hussein...".
Star of the weekend was the B2A Spirit 'stealth bomber', direct from Whiteman AFB, Missouri, which displayed on both days, departing for the States on the Sunday evening. The Commander, Colonel Eric Single, said "It was great to see such huge crowds and the excitement generated by our aircraft. We feel honoured to be here, and I hope we'll be back for a future Tattoo." Top prize for the 'best kept' aircraft in the Concours d'Elegance was the immaculate F117A from the 49th FW, just edging out its more secretive B2A stablemate. The RAF was winner of the NATO ground competitions, a Nimrod MR2 crew from 120 Squadron triumphing over its NATO partners. 'Top Gun' was Major Gyula Vari of the Hungarian Air Force who won the Superkings Trophy for best overall solo jet demonstration in the Mig 29, also winning the 'As the crow flies' trophy. Other winners were Captain Anders Eriksson in the Swedish Air Force Viggen with the Lockheed Martin Cannestra Trophy for the best flying demonstration by an overseas participant, Squadron Leader Terry Cairns with the Steedman Display Sword for best flying demonstration by a UK participant in the Canberra T4 and Captain Alan Wade, winning the Sir Douglas Bader Trophy for best overall flying display in the Slingsby Firefly.
Comic moments included the rapid departure of the G222 crew on Sunday after the left hand propeller threw off its rubber de-icing cover, punching a hole in fuselage. A very swift landing saw the crew leg it as fast as possible, while the fire engines did their best to avoid the fleeing pilots. A Mail on Sunday poster was later seen to cover the offending hole! Needless to say, the aircraft was one of the few that failed to leave the following day. One of the French Crusaders decided to shed a tyre, fortunately towards the end of the display, but these were the sum total of incidents during the two showdays.
RIAT 2000 won't be at Fairford, as the base is due for a long-overdue facelift with the runways, taxiways and aprons all being replaced over the next two years. Wherever it is, be there! Part two: Stars on parade.
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