RIAT 2024

[Seamus]

Morning all,

Here's my take of six fantastic days at Fairford. So many highlights with a few surprises thrown in, the Friday especially will live long in the memory. I spent the first three days in P&V West which were up there with the very best arrivals days I've attended

Conair Turbo Firecat | F-AYFT | Amicale Alenconnaise Des Avions Anciens | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas CF-188A Hornet | 188774 | Royal Canadian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules | 747 | Hellenic Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Northrop SF-5B(M) Freedom Fighter | AE9-10/23-04 | Spanish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Embraer KC-390 Millennium | 26902 | Portuguese Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16CG Fighting Falcon | 88-0024 | Turkish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-4E 2020T Phantom II | 73-1023 | Turkish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16D Fighting Falcon | 028 | Hellenic Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

NHI NH90 TTH | 79+35 | German Army | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

British Aerospace Hawk Mk 66 | HW-361 | Finnish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F/A-18C Hornet | HN-427 | Finnish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas EAV-8B Harrier II Plus | VA.1B-38/01-926 | Spanish Navy | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon | 08-8013 | Royal Moroccan Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16D Fighting Falcon | 08-8018 | Royal Moroccan Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

General Dynamics F-16BM Fighting Falcon | 135 | Royal Jordanian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress | 61-0010/LA | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Northrop F-5E Tiger II | J-3094 | Swiss Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing KC-46A Pegasus | 20-46079 | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Panavia Tornado ECR | 45+39 | German Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Dassault Mirage 2000-5F | 38/2-EI | Armée de L'Air | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Douglas A-4N Skyhawk II | C-FGZE | Top Aces | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F-15QA Ababil | QA536 | Qatar Emeri Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F-15QA Ababil | QA536 | Qatar Emeri Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon | E-006 | Royal Danish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender | 86-0031 | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

SAAB MFI-15 Safari | 836 | Royal Norwegian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16D Fighting Falcon | 91-0472/SP | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Panavia A-200A Tornado | MM7067/6-41 | Italian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle | 91-0318/LN | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Northrop F-5E Tiger II | J-3091 | Swiss Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

British Aerospace Hawk Mk 66 | HW-367 | Finnish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Airbus A319 OH | 15+03 | German Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II | ZM141/007 | Royal Air Force | RAF Fairford | 18/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Panavia Tornado IDS | 43+97 | German Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon | E-006 | Royal Danish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 17/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Eurofighter EF2000 | 31+06 | German Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F-15QA Ababil | QA538 | Qatar Emeri Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed U-2S | 80-1069/BB | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing RC-135V Rivet Joint | ZZ666 | Royal Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

SAAB JAS-39C Gripen | 9242 | Czech Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Dassault Mirage 2000-5F | 38/2-EI | Armée de L'Air | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Northrop SF-5B(M) Freedom Fighter | AE9-17/23-10 | Spanish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Panavia A-200A Tornado | MM7067/6-41 | Italian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon | 1609 | Romanian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing E-3A Sentry | LX-N90456 | NATO | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas EAV-8B Harrier II Plus | VA.1B-38/01-926 | Spanish Navy | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed U-2S | 80-1070 | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-4E AUP Phantom II | 01522 | Hellenic Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-4E AUP Phantom II | 01520 | Hellenic Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-4E AUP Phantom II | 01522 | Hellenic Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Breguet Br.1050 Alizé | 59/F-AZYI | Alizé Marine Association | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing RC-135V Rivet Joint | 64-14844/OF | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 19/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Cloudier conditions for the showdays, Saturday especially, meant I didn't get as many keepers of the flying I'd have liked, but a great flying display all round. Highlights were obviously the Qatari Eagles, but the Danish Viper and Czech were were right up there with their own superb displays

Boeing F-15QA Ababil | QA536 | Qatar Emeri Air Force | RAF Fairford | 20/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

British Aerospace Hawk Mk 66 | HW-367 | Finnish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 20/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas EAV-8B Harrier II Plus | VA.1B-38/01-926 | Spanish Navy | RAF Fairford | 20/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16CG Fighting Falcon | 88-0024 | Turkish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas CF-188A Hornet | 188774 | Royal Canadian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas CF-188A Hornet | 188774 | Royal Canadian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

SAAB JAS-39C Gripen | 9242 | Czech Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F-15QA Ababil | QA538 | Qatar Emeri Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F-15QA Ababil | QA538 | Qatar Emeri Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Eurofighter Typhoon S | MM7316/4-42 | Italian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Northrop F-5E Tiger II | Swiss Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F-15QA Ababil | QA536 | Qatar Emeri Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 | ZK913 | Royal Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II | ZM163/029 | Royal Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon | E-190 | Royal Danish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

British Aerospace Hawk Mk 66 | HW-367 | Finnish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Saab JAS-39C Gripen | 39257 | Swedish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 21/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Departures day was superb, especially given the forecast, with many of the highlights finding a slither of light when it mattered. A great way to end a great week

General Dynamics F-16BM Fighting Falcon | 135 | Royal Jordanian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas CF-188A Hornet | 188736 | Royal Canadian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing AH-64E Apache AH2 | ZM712 | Army Air Corps| RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas EAV-8B Harrier II Plus | VA.1B-38/01-926 | Spanish Navy | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon | J-197 | Royal Netherlands Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Northrop F-5E Tiger II | J-3094 | Swiss Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Panavia Tornado IDS | 43+97 | German Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon | 012 | Hellenic Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon | 1609 | Romanian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F-15SA Eagle | 641 | Royal Saudi Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Northrop SF-5B(M) Freedom Fighter | AE9-10/23-04 | Spanish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Dassault Mirage 2000-5F | 38/2-EI | Armée de L'Air | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Panavia A-200A Tornado | MM7067/6-41 | Italian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-4E AUP Phantom II | 01522 | Hellenic Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-4E AUP Phantom II | 01520 | Hellenic Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Douglas A-4N Skyhawk II | C-FGZE | Top Aces | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II | 5389 | Royal Norwegian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon | 08-8013 | Royal Moroccan Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon | 08-8013 | Royal Moroccan Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16D Fighting Falcon | 08-8018 | Royal Moroccan Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Merlin Mk 612 | 0273 | Royal Norwegian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin F-16CG Fighting Falcon | 88-0021 | Turkish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-4E 2020T Phantom II | 73-1023 | Turkish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-4E 2020T Phantom II | 77-0286 | Turkish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-4E 2020T Phantom II | 77-0286 | Turkish Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

NHI NH90 NFH | QA270 | Qatar Emiri Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Conair Turbo Firecat | F-AYFT | Amicale Alenconnaise Des Avions Anciens | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Casa C295MW | 29502 | Serbian Air Force | RAF Fairford | 22/07/24 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

A lot of images I know, but as ever it's hard to whittle down six days, especially when the quality was so high.

Thanks for looking, hopefully they were of interest

Shaun

[Mustang531]

Thanks for sharing these with us, a rather extensive selection of shots and difficult to choose a favourite amongst them.

[fisherman]

Great set, Shaun. It's hard to decide, but I do like the Serbian Air Force C295MW.

[eagle driver]

Superb set , Thank you for posting

[alizam]

Lovely mate! Brilliant work as usual

[Seamus]

Thanks all, much appreciated

[DanBeeden]

Fantastic set of images from a superb RIAT. Given how generally overcast it was on Monday until early afternoon, there were some very well timed chinks of sunlight!

[Phantomwolf]

Superb batch of images. Hard to pick any favourites but the Phantom departures on the Monday are absolute belters -well done.

[red leader]

Lovely set of pictures. Thanks very much for sharing!

[Weazel69]

I Think that You must be really Happy and Proud of Yourself for these are Top Notch Shot's
Obviously you were able to get yourself in the right place at the right time, and certainly the weather played ball as well
Of All the shot's posted of the IAT these Must Rate as some of the best ( if not the best ) - LUV the F4's - Weazel69

[Tally-ho]

A collection and presentation of superlatives!

[Seamus]

Thanks for the additional comments all, much appreciated

Fantastic set of images from a superb RIAT. Given how generally overcast it was on Monday until early afternoon, there were some very well timed chinks of sunlight!

Yes, I think we got pretty lucky with a good chunk of the star items catching some light at some point in their departure

[Stratocruiser]

Absolutely first class!
Thanks for sharing your excellent captures