Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 General Discussion Thread

[milaviation]

Can't see what else it could be, but hey-ho.

Talking of FB comments:
'Doesn't look like we'll be seeing any Turkish/Greek Phantoms this year...'
RIAT replies, 'We can confirm the Turkish Air Force will not be participating at RIAT this year'.
Hmmm...

Stealth42 from UKAR put a rumour that there is meant to be a U2 displaying both days this year - which assuming is correct would be the most likely candidate

(Fits the theme, wowed everyone last year, and is American which is what most look for)

[seven]

Did think that previously, but it was also said today that it(the hint) hadn't been leaked yet. And IIRC the U-2 rumour has been circling since before the FRIAT Forum.

2+2=IV?

[seven]

Can't see what else it could be, but hey-ho.

As usual absolute muppets on Facebook Turkey cancelled ages ago and Greece already confirmed they are sending 2 Mirage 2000s.

Turkey haven't cancelled, they weren't sending anything to begin with, or at least confirmed.

As the Greek M2Ks indeed, however the Phantoms were added very last minute after another confirmation (albeit a flying one) last year. So not impossible, however unlikely.

[seven]

FRIAT Hint Announcement - I have no idea what that is.

Also as a general rule I am really struggling with the Headsup section of late - quite often there is no mention of aircraft type and just presumed that everyone is in the know, but some of us are not.

A big fan of the forum but hard to get involved when I don't know what is meant.

As mentioned by punkmonkey earlier, the FRIAT forum attendees were given early information about a 'foreign flying participant for Saturday and Sunday'. Us outsiders only know that, and that it will be announced once it's confirmed to be attending(and when DBH know there's a slow update week coming ).
Hence today's announcement being an obvious candidate.

[seven]

I'd also just like to add that we aren't keeping the star item a secret to spite other people but air ops have told us to not leak anything as the paperwork is still in the process of being signed off.

That and no sod knows what it is

[Harkins]

Not sure the U-2 could be the mysterious star attraction, as apart from them living there and flying almost daily, it displayed last year (admittedly only one day), and made two further early evening return appearances. Surely it's got to be something more out of left field? Certainly if it's meant to impress the people that go all six days and therefore likely saw the U-2 several times last year.

I'm a FRIAT ticket holder, and I wasn't at the forum. It's only a tiny fraction of FRIAT ticket holders that were there and know about this thing that might not happen.

[seven]

Agreed, I don't think it's the U-2. The Atlantique fits perfectly (though not awe-inspiring to everyone).

Without flogging the same horse over and over, Sanicole has Greek Phantoms flying

[Fighterfoto]

I think it’ll be a Ukrainian HGV releasing drones….

[seven]

Sunday now SOLD OUT O.O

[NorvilleRogers]

What happened to the rumour of the Egyptian AF Silverstars display team… maybe that is back on?

[Nighthawke]

It wasn't a rumour it was a suggestion as I recall. It only took one or two to misread/misinterpret and make something out of almost nothing. It thnn crossed over to UKAR to continue along the same lines.

[seven]

Sunday now SOLD OUT O.O

Dont panic, it's the Aviation Club enclosure only that's sold out, regular tickets still available.

[cat1]

I think it’ll be a Ukrainian HGV releasing drones….

Now that would be a cracker.

Ukrainian drone demonstration.

[Paul1983]

Need a nice big update from the USAF, please send the B1 again, maybe a flypast.. last time 2018 on static I believe?

[Gary]

Announced earlier Friday general admission have sold out

[reidms88]

I've only got tickets for the Friday this year and i'm camping for the rest of the weekend. When does the Friday flying display usually get confirmed? The official site only seems to suggest Reds and Typhoon so far.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

On the Friday once on base when people buy the programme or get the sheet of lies

[jasonT1981]

Friday flying usually gets confirmed a week or two before the show. The website confirmed aircraft list gets updated.

[jasonT1981]

Today's update

This week we're pleased to confirm the participation of the Royal Air Force's Chinook Role Demo at RIAT25! Similarly to last year, this will be an operationally focused role demonstration, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, and we expect an HC.5 airframe to be used again. Discussions are ongoing regarding other aircraft from the Joint Aviation Command.

We can now confirm our 3rd Apache for our 50th-anniversary line-up at RIAT25, this time from the US Army. They'll be sending one of their new AH-64E Apache Guardians, from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade based in Germany. This is the first time we've welcomed an aircraft from the US Army to RIAT since 2015, so we're very pleased to welcome them back to RAF Fairford in July.

There are three additions to the static line from the Royal Air Force this week too; with a pair of Typhoons and a Poseidon! The Typhoons will come from 3(F) Squadron at RAF Coningsby and IX(B) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth. We have asked the squadrons to bring jets which have squadron insignia applied and if possible to fit inert weapons to demonstrate the Typhoon's array of capabilities. In addition, as part of our 'Eyes in the Skies' theme, we're very pleased to welcome the Poseidon for static display.

Our line-up of aircraft coming to the show this year that were also at Air Tattoo 1985 grows this week, with the addition of the Auster and Sioux from the Historic Army Aircraft Flight. These two aircraft will be parked alongside the previously announced R4D, C-47A and F-16BM and accompanied by a ground display illustrating highlights and memories from the last 40 years of the Air Tattoo.

From the Royal Navy, in addition to the previously announced Black Cats, they will now also bring an additional Wildcat HMA.2 for static display. We plan to park this alongside their Merlin, and other naval helicopters participating at RIAT.

Finally this week, we have a pair of Jet Provosts confirmed for the static display. One aircraft, XW324, has been a regular participant to RIAT in previous years, however, the other aircraft, XN459, is adorned in Red Pelican's livery and will be a bright addition to our classic jet static display which many visitors will have not seen previously.

This week we've held our 'Longest Day' to plan the arrival slots for all the participating aircraft at RIAT, another key milestone for the Air Ops team as we approach RIAT25.

All nations moved to "declined" except those already in talks and NATO, Pakistan, Tunisia and US Navy who are still showing "invited"

[Gary]

Nice to see the US Army again. USAF AMC listed as declined so possibly no heavies from the Americans. Unless the an Reserve on ANG accept