Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 General Discussion Thread

[seven]

TBF, what's been announced so far is a little stale. But it's important to remember it's still early days yet, plenty more updates to come.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

This week we're pleased to announce the participation of the German Air Force at RIAT25! Firstly, we're pleased to see their A400M return to RIAT to perform in the flying display, showing the size and agility of the huge Airbus transport aircraft. This year it should be the full flying demonstration, flown by the display crew from LTG 62, rather than the flypasts we saw at RIAT24. In addition, we've got four aircraft coming from the German Air Force for static display, including a pair of Tornado's (one from TLG 33 and one from TLG 51) which are always a RIAT favourite. Appearing at a British airshow for only the second time, their special forces H145M will also be on static display. Finally, a new aircraft type from Germany comes in the shape of their C-130J Hercules, flown by the Binational Air Transport Squadron based at Evreux in France. As per usual, Germany are providing outstanding support to the show, which we are very grateful for!

Another Royal Air Force asset confirmed for static display at RIAT25 is the BBMF's Dakota. After extensive servicing at Duxford, this aircraft has recently been repainted into South East Asia Command colours. The Dakota's participation at RIAT25 is very relevant, as this specific aircraft (ZA947) was also on static display at the International Air Tattoo 1985, the first time our show had been held at RAF Fairford, so it will be part of our small subtheme marking 40 years of calling RAF Fairford home to the Air Tattoo.

This week we've also heard from the Slovak Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force, who both plan to send aircraft for static display at RIAT25, more news to follow..!

[wessexspotter]

Any news on USAF participation yet? Will be interesting to see what they send this year, given the - err - climate.

[Gooner]

Any news on USAF participation yet? Will be interesting to see what they send this year, given the - err - climate.

Depends if DBH showed enough gratitude and thanked the orange man baby enough for last year’s participation!

[RNexpat190]

I wonder if a C5 Galaxy might turn up this year? - its been years since the last one.

RN.

[jasonT1981]

I wonder if a C5 Galaxy might turn up this year? - its been years since the last one.

RN.

A C5 would be great. It's one thing I have never seen. Flying or on the ground.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

This week we're pleased to announce another fast jet for the RIAT25 flying display, in the form of the Danish F-16! Once again coming from Fighter Wing Skrydstrup, flown by long-term display pilot 'TEO' with his specially painted aircraft, for what could be the last time we ever see a classic F-16AM in the RIAT flying display. In addition, they'll also bring a two-seater F-16BM for static display. This jet will be part of our celebrations to mark 40 years of calling RAF Fairford home to the Air Tattoo, as the Royal Danish Air Force will also send an F-16B (ET-615) to the 1985 show. We have asked them to bring this exact airframe, which is still in operational service four decades on, but it of course depends on serviceability.

We're pleased to welcome the German Navy back to RIAT, with one of their Westland Sea Lynx helicopters coming for static display. A helicopter type we've not seen at the show in a number of years, this will likely be it's final RIAT appearance as the type approaches retirement from German service. Another addition to the static aircraft display this week comes from Switzerland, with a privately owned Dornier Do 27. Both these aircraft come as part of our 'Eyes in the Skies' theme.

Finally, an update from Spain this week. We have now been informed that the previously announced Eurofighter C.16 Tifón will come from Ala 14 based at Albacete. The display pilot has stated his intent to bring a jet painted with special tail (NATO Tiger Meet) for use in his display, which we hope will be appreciated by aviation enthusiasts.

[Discodaz]

well, possibly the last chance i will get to see the Danish display jet actually display. every time i go it goes tech and i only ever see the spare.

[seven]

Great job, let's hope they remember to bring a spare this year!

[jasonT1981]

Lovely update.

I had forgotten the Spanish had actually already confirmed, whoops but nice to get a special tail.

[Phantomrider]

Is it just me or are the aircraft announcements slower than in previous years? I’m sure we have normally had a couple of display teams (excluding the Reds), by now?
I’m not moaning, there are going to be some very nice rotary bits attending, just seems slow.

[seven]

RAF stuff usually gets announced over Easter. A few of the teams we'd have expected to hear from by now have already confirmed NOT coming (Spanish, Swiss for example).

[Red-Eye-Knight]

well, possibly the last chance i will get to see the Danish display jet actually display. every time i go it goes tech and i only ever see the spare.

Hope you've not jinxed yourself now

[Discodaz]

well, possibly the last chance i will get to see the Danish display jet actually display. every time i go it goes tech and i only ever see the spare.

Hope you've not jinxed yourself now

probably

[Red-Eye-Knight]

This week we were jumping for joy with the news that the Spanish Navy will once again be flying the iconic Harrier at RIAT25! Known as the Matador II in Spanish service, we're extremely lucky to have these iconic 'Jumper Jets' return to RAF Fairford again this year to perform in the flying display programme. As per usual, they will be supported by a Cessna Citation aircraft.

Another welcome addition to the static aircraft displays this week, this time from the Slovak Air Force. They'll be sending their C-27J Spartan to the show once again, an interesting transport aircraft which will hopefully be open for visitors to climb onboard. Four smaller contributions to the static displays come from civilian operators this week, with a pair of Chipmunks (both in RAF colours) and a pair of Soko Kraguj. The aspiration is that these two aircraft manufactured by SOKO of Yugoslavia will arrive together and be parked alongside each other in the static displays, a rare sight in modern times.

This week we've continued discussions with many interesting aircraft operators from around the globe, and closer to home, exploring both flying and static participation. Of note, we have received the first indications from Joint Aviation Command on their intended support and continue discussions with the Royal Air Force regarding aircraft from 1 Group and 22 Group which we hope to have on static display. However, confirmations will likely not be available until late May/early June.

[Harkins]

Nice to see them back again, but please, please, please can we have one plain line jet this year?

[jasonT1981]

Great news! Never get tired of the Harrier.

[Andyph]

Not on here it seems been like a ghost town regarding RIAT this year on here compared to previous years :lol

I think that's because not many people want to stick their neck out anymore. This thread in previous years has turned rather aggressive if you have anything negative to say about the line-up. There are some people on the forum who will be constantly refreshing the Air Tattoo website at 11.59 on a Thursday in order to be the first person to post the update on here and would regard it as a
"brilliant update" even if DBH said " a big steaming turd will be laid on the runway".

If you dare say anything negative you are told "don't like it don't go" and I think this goes some way to explaining why the thread is quieter so far for 2025

Yeah it's annoying. But perhaps nothing like the RIAT thread on UKAR - maybe 1 post in 10,000 has merit..
Does have a comically inane quality to it though..

[Gary]

Today's update

This week we have another flying display confirmed as part of our 'Eyes in the Skies' theme, with a pairs display of photo-reconnaissance Spitfires! Provided by Rolls-Royce, we'll see their Spitfire XIX join a Spitfire XI to perform a display routine together, to showcase the Merlin & Griffon engine Spitfires together in their blue colour scheme. They will fly on all three days of the show, but the current plan is that the aircraft won't operate from RAF Fairford.

Continuing the theme, we have a further static addition from the Spanish Air & Space Force, with their VIGMA D.4 aircraft now confirmed for RIAT25. This aircraft is used for maritime patrol and search and rescue around the Balearic Islands and will be a very rare visitor to the UK.

In addition, a highlight for aviation enthusiasts will be the first-ever visit of Hellenic Mirages to RIAT! We're extremely pleased to welcome a pair of their Mirage 2000-5 aircraft, from 331 Mira, for static display at the show. We have asked the unit to bring 1x single-seat and 1x twin-seat aircraft, so both models can be admired by visitors to the show.

Finally, two more civilian aircraft for the static display come in the shape of a pair of ex-RAF Bulldog training aircraft.

This week we've also heard from Ireland and Qatar, who both plan to send aircraft for static display at RIAT. Once we confirm the final details, they'll be added to the aircraft participation list in the coming weeks. Likewise, discussions with countless other operators continue with a mix of exciting flying displays and rarely seen aircraft for static display being worked on for RIAT25.

Lovely to see the Mirage

[Red-Eye-Knight]

Sure is lovely to see the Mirage i last saw them at Leuchars years ago so will be great to see again.

That 2 ship display from the Spitfires is just awesome cannot wait for that.