Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 General Discussion Thread

[Harkins]

By my understanding, the B-1s are coming as part of (or all of) a BTF. Could that possibly mean the BTF is actually elsewhere in Europe, it’s at Fairford and has only two aircraft, or is it at Fairford and one or two more could pitch up and get parked out the way in the north east loop. Or maybe a couple more arrive after the show and the BTF starts post show?

I recall when I watched the FRIAT forum video a few weeks back that they said there would be a BTF running up to a few days before the show this year. Has that been pushed back to after the show or was it just cancelled, maybe with the Iran thing happening?

[Blackcat1]

Which has bigger crowds

Lakenheath during school holidays surely?

[James Cutting]

Than RIAT?! love to see 100k+ at LN

Though it does feel like it admittedly

[RunAndBreak]

Oh well, at least they don't all park in irritating spots for other traffic and run about the road like headless chickens, while shouting that they've just seen a Concorde.

Oh wait.....

[Supra]

By my understanding, the B-1s are coming as part of (or all of) a BTF. Could that possibly mean the BTF is actually elsewhere in Europe, it’s at Fairford and has only two aircraft, or is it at Fairford and one or two more could pitch up and get parked out the way in the north east loop. Or maybe a couple more arrive after the show and the BTF starts post show?

I recall when I watched the FRIAT forum video a few weeks back that they said there would be a BTF running up to a few days before the show this year. Has that been pushed back to after the show or was it just cancelled, maybe with the Iran thing happening?

This analysis & conjecture is all very good....BUT, you've missed a vital factor imo. To have one airframe blocked & locked-in the static area would then require at least 2 more potentially flyable examples on-base at Fairford?
This is purely because statistically, physically, historically & actually the chances of a single B-1 being operationally fit to fly on the Friday flypast/BTF mission is low...with the Saturday repeat mission expectation being most unlikely /impossible& bordering non-sensical!!

B-One's do what 'Bones' do......They break!

[65thAgressor]

But not all the time.

[sunwing]

Hi guys do we know if the Qatari C-17 will drop the Apache at Brize to fly in like the NH 90 last year?

[DutchAvPhotography]

Hi guys do we know if the Qatari C-17 will drop the Apache at Brize to fly in like the NH 90 last year?

Yes, it will, this was confirmed by RIAT AirOPS

[sunwing]

cheers do we know when the C-17 will arrive at Brize?

[Davec7678]

cheers do we know when the C-17 will arrive at Brize?

2 due Brize for tomorrow afternoon, 1 with the Apache which will return home, 2nd which will hang around to eventually be on static at RIAT. ETAs 1500, and 1530L.

[iainpeden]

[quote=Supra post_id=1682483 time=1752236445 user_id=2441

This analysis & conjecture is all very good....BUT, you've missed a vital factor imo. To have one airframe blocked & locked-in the static area would then require at least 2 more potentially flyable examples on-base at Fairford?
This is purely because statistically, physically, historically & actually the chances of a single B-1 being operationally fit to fly on the Friday flypast/BTF mission is low...with the Saturday repeat mission expectation being most unlikely /impossible& bordering non-sensical!!

B-One's do what 'Bones' do......They break!
[/quote]

Feasible that they’ll be parked to allow for that eventually. Years back they moved the B-2 from static as the one due to flyover broke.

[NorvilleRogers]

Pakistani IL-78 will now be in the static. This will be the tanker bringing the JF-17 over.

[Nighthawke]

Pakistani IL-78 will now be in the static. This will be the tanker bringing the JF-17 over.

Still showing as support on the web page. Do you have a source for this latest revelation please?

[Alf]

Pakistani IL-78 will now be in the static. This will be the tanker bringing the JF-17 over.

Still showing as support on the web page. Do you have a source for this latest revelation please?

It did say it was a going in the static, but not anymore. Now looks like it will not stay at Fairford but go to France.

https://www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/a ... -78-midas/

[NorvilleRogers]

Yes, update has now changed to support and not staying during the show. Maybe it will change again!!

[Nighthawke]

From yesterday's announcemnt at midday:

"The Pakistan Air Force's deployment to the UK will be supported by an IL-78 tanker, however, this jet from 10 Squadron won't be joining the static display."

So if it was showing as static it never was intended to be.

[capercaillie]

Never said anything but a support aircraft on the site.

[STN RAMP RAT]

Is the Pakistan AF IL78 due to land at Fairford or will the JF17's separate from it elsewhere. It would be great to see a landing and departure of it on on the Monday.

[Zonan]

RC135 64-14846 is inbound to Mildenhall. We may possibly see a different frame than last year after all

[Supra]

Is the Pakistan AF IL78 due to land at Fairford or will the JF17's separate from it elsewhere. It would be great to see a landing and departure of it on on the Monday.

It would seem to me from the 5 posts above yours that there's somewhere between Bob Hope & no hope of either on any given day?
Logistics & rumours suggest the IL-78 will separate from the fighters over France & land there (Istres ?) ready to rendezvous with them on Monday homeward bound.
Sounds to me like a cunning plan to circumvent French ATC 'traditional' reluctance to allow transit flights & cause delays to Flight Plans?