AVIATION-SHOTS   

The 2012 edition of The Royal International Air Tattoo was one we'll remember and could well define  as a "classic" . The organizers put together a memorable airshow with some exotic  participants, rarities and UK debuts. More than 130,000 spectators visited RIAT 2012 over 2 days and this years major themes were the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with the 27-ship mass flypast of Hawk jets in a special EIIR formation as a tribute to The Queen and Skylift 2012 which showcased modern, versatile and long-range transport aircraft.

This year, the top award, the King Hussein Memorial Sword, for the Best Overall Flying Demonstration went to the Republic of Korea Air Force, 239th Aerobatic Squadron,"Black Eagles" Aerobatic Team. The team also collected the As the Crow Flies Trophy, voted for by the Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo. South Korea, whose Black Eagles display team made its UK debut wowed the crowd with spectacular and perfect manouvers in the air. The team flew the Korean developed and build T-50 ’Golden Eagle' supersonic light-trainer aircraft which it has been flying since 2009. Their eight display aircrafts were dismantled in South Korea, flown to Manchester and rebuilt at RAF Leeming.

Another highlight of the show was the United Arab Emirates Air Force aerobatics team 'Al Fursan' or 'The Knights' that made its European debut at RIAT 2012. The team, founded in 2010, flew seven Alenia Aermacchi MB-339A Italian training aircraft,  performed for the first time at the Dubai Airshow in November 2011 to mark the UAE's 40^th anniversary. As the team were trained by the Frecce Tricolori (flying the same aircraft type), we saw a display that showed well known elements from Italy's primary display team.

As for exotic and rare gems the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) sent a KC-767J tanker aircraft to RAF Fairford. Other than for State visits, it was the first time a Japanese military aircraft had touched down on British soil. For RIAT it was the 53rd nation to participate since 1971. Another rare participant (for the static display) was Colombia which brought their small T-90 training aircraft in the back of a C-130 Hercules.Some of the world's greatest fast jets took part in the flying display, including the RAF Typhoon, a Polish Mig-29, the French Rafale, the F-18F Super Hornet, the Saab Gripen and a Russian Yak-130.
In the display programme the presence of 2 MV-22 Ospreys made a welcomed appearance after 6 years since their last display in UK. 

The  Royal Air Force presence at the show was massive as usual with the Red Arrows (flying in 7 formation this year), with the Tornado Role demo, fighters and helicopters. Classic warbirds including the Hurricane, Spitfire, Lancaster as well as the mighty AVRO VULCAN B2 were at the show too.For the "Skylift" theme aircraft from neighbouring RAF Brize Norton joined a flypast representing the RAF's past, present and future airlift capability featuring the VC-10, TriStar, C-130 Hercules, C-17, A330 and A400M.

Last but not least was the B-2A 'Spirit of New York' which was making it's appearance since 2004 and it was the first time it touched down at RAF Fairford since 1999! It really captured the attention of everybody in the static display!
 

RIAT 2012 was and  edition that could easily be defined as "classic" and surely we all will remeber it for the years to come..... Enjoy the pictures!!!