Royal International Air Tattoo 2023 General Discussion Thread

[Gary]

AR2O booking for tomorrow night, which would mean an early arrival Wednesday for the B-52s. If it is linked

[seven]

Usually is. The static one at least needs to be in place before the other items arrive and are placed.

[James Cutting]

Thanks Gary, sounds good. Hoping it is both, and one will operate from FFD for its flypasts

[seven]

I don't recall a RIAT BUFF operating from anywhere other than Fairford itself

[MiG_Eater]

True but I don't think one has been in the flying display for 13 years or so!

Its weird as I still feel like a BONE and BUFF display are a RIAT staple but... alas.

[James Cutting]

I don't recall a RIAT BUFF operating from anywhere other than Fairford itself

Only reason I thought it might not because I was thinking back to previous B-2 flypasts being a GPM from the States so was a bit worried!

And also how long it took in 2019 to start up and leave

[MiG_Eater]

It does take a while to get going. Think of how much coal that needs to be shoveled into eight separate boilers.

[falconfighting]

Prob get canned because on the Chinook display going long, like in previous years (Romanian Migs on the Friday as an example and wasn't it the B-2 flypast too?)

[GVLCN]

Looks like the B-52’s will be a very early arrival if coming straight to fairford

[milaviation]

Not in the air yet are they?

[James Cutting]

No, not till tonight.

[seven]

True but I don't think one has been in the flying display for 13 years or so!

Its weird as I still feel like a BONE and BUFF display are a RIAT staple but... alas.

Not sure it's been that long, but yea a while! And agree with the latter.

Only reason I thought it might not because I was thinking back to previous B-2 flypasts being a GPM from the States so was a bit worried!

And also how long it took in 2019 to start up and leave

B-2s are a different beast. Only ever been on the ground once(twice?) at RIAT before. Plus there's less on the ground now and more (available?) ramp space than before.
I recall a few times in the past the Buff departed in the morning, returning mid/late afternoon having done a flypast or two at an airshow in Spain!
I don't recall the issue in 2019, but seem to remember it wasn't the aircraft itself that was the problem?

[James Cutting]

Thanks Seven. Can't remember the reason for the hold in 2019. Maybe getting ready earlier for the long haul home.

I was just worried about not being able to see it take off and land, it's something I'm looking forward too, especially being close up:lol:

[seven]

I'd be surprised if it doesn't operate from Fairford. Personally I'm hoping for more than one flypast! In the past it's been 2 or 3. Either way may I suggest in advance that anyone who moans that it only did a flypast(s) be given a ban?

Also, IIRC it started up and left pretty quickly, none of this engine running for an hour/90 minutes before moving!

[James Cutting]

Yes me too, least it is on both days, and I agree

I can't remember, felt like a while but maybe it wasn't

[The Star of Woo]

What do you deem as 'very early arrival' please? Pre opening of the P+V or will we have had chance for a warming brew before it comes in?

[thevulcan]

They tend to be the first thing to arrive around 9:00 am if memory serves me right.

In other news the Spanish Harrier has a special tail livery:

https://twitter.com/Armada_esp/status/1 ... _&ref_url=

[Gary]

The AR booking is up to 23.00 UK time. 5 hours across the Atlantic. So it’s what they do after

[James Cutting]

In other news the Spanish Harrier has a special tail livery:

https://twitter.com/Armada_esp/status/1 ... _&ref_url=

From what you can see of it, it looks interesting

[PeteHemsley]

B-52s due to arrive 0910 tomorrow morning.