Military Jets Photography: 2012 07 07 and 08 RIAT Fairford

Iconic aircraft such as the B-2 Stealth bomber and Osprey, crowd-pleasers such as the Vulcan and Red Arrows, a number of fast jet displays and the anticipated European debut of Koreans Black Eagles and UAE’s Al Fursan display teams created great expectations for the 2012 edition.

The venue truly lived up to it and the 2012 Royal International Air Tattoo can be considered as one of the best of recent years. 39 air arms from 25 nations were represented at the event, resulting in 268 aircraft filling the almost 3 km long static park and the 8 hour flying display. Colombia, Japan and South Korea colored the Tattoo for the first time. Your SBAP reporter was present on the Gloucestershire airfield on Sunday and on Monday for the departures, spending an entertaining two days.
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Skylift were the two main themes for the show. Obviously, RIAT was not able to get around the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Center piece of the theme were 27 hawks repeating the spectacular EIIR flypast that flew over Windsor Castle in May. Other attractions included aircraft appropriately adorned or with a special Royal connection.
"Fighters make movies, transport and support aircraft keep operations running” summarizes the Skylift theme. Whether deployed tactically or strategically, the role of giant military transporters and heavy-lift helicopters in delivering troops and equipment quickly and safely is key to the success of combat, peace-keeping and humanitarian campaigns around the world. A short, but impressive flypast of RAF skylifters and equivalents from a number of nations in the static park illustrated this very well.