Staff and Cadets at Fairford


Vulcan XH558 Prior to its display

On Sunday 18th July 2009, 12 cadets and 3 staff from 487 Sqn, Kingstanding and Perry Barr ATC, travelled to RAF Fairford to visit the world’s largest airshow, the Royal International Air Tattoo.

It was a very early start for all involved, but unlike 2009, we didn’t this time get stuck in any traffic. The flying programme started at 10:00 in a very sedate manor, there can’t be many airshows that open up with a glider, but it was all very peaceful! However, the noise soon started and an early star of the show was the Typhoon which provided a thunderous opening to the afternoon.

The star of the show however proved to be the F22 Raptor; this was the first public display by this aircraft in the UK. To a rousing commentary given by an American Staff Sergeant, the aircraft leaped into the sky and was soon using its unique capabilities to turn around the sky with alarming ease. This fighter aircraft is the only one in the world that has all of its ordnance tucked away so its radar signature is kept to an absolute minimum. The aircraft did a few fly pasts with its weapons bay open, a unique site on the air show circuit.

Another first in terms of flights in the UK was the display given by the Airbus A400M. This aircraft has been chosen by the UK to replace some of the Hercules fleet in the coming years. This aircraft gave a fantastic display and it looks set to become a favourite in years to come.

The day was also a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. A unique display of 12 aircraft took the skies, this included Spitfires, Hurricanes and ME109’s. The site of these aircraft on the taxi way and then taking to the skies was a wonderful site.

The day was finished by a wonderful display from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flights Hurricane and a Typhoon from 29 Sqn. Both the aircraft gave a wonderful display and their final act was to fly towards each other in a cross over, very much like to the Red Arrows solo pair.

A wonderful day at a wonderful airshow was had by all; we all look forward to going back next year.



Fg Off Simon Jennings
Sqn Media and Communications Officer
487 Sqn