RIAT Debut

[Craig.]

Well it now appears that i wont be going to the RIAT this year. It sucks but whatever.
However as a bit of info for those going, the Nimrod MR4 might be making its airshow debut at the show. This isnt a certainty as its not done its ground runs yet, but should be done by thursday. If they are it could be doing a fly past at the show.

[Hagar]

Well it now appears that i wont be going to the RIAT this year. It sucks but whatever.

That's a shame Craig. I know you were looking forward to it.

[Craig.]

always next year. My dads job involves getting this plane to the show and he was there till 8:30 tonight and likely the rest of the week for it. So he deserves the weekend off.

[C]

I'm avoiding the traffic jams to as I'm off chasing rabbits!

[Mr. Bones]

Well Craig, I feel sorry for you. It really is an amazing airshow which I will never miss again. I don't know if this will help you getting over it, but this years participation list is nothing compared to other years. No B-2 nor F-117. Not a single P-51. Only one US fighter in the flying display and so on...

For the record, here are the jets that arrived today:
2x German F-4F
2x USAF 52 FW F-16
2x USAF 492FS F-15E
1x USAF U2  
2x USAF B-52 (60-0043 + 1)  
1x B-1B  :D
1x Greek F-4
1x Greek A-7
2x Finish F-18
1X Polish Su22 (707)
1x USAF C-5  :D
1x USAF T-43
1x USMC C-130
1x US Coast Guard C-130J
3x French Mirage 2000 (2x C's, 1x B)

Yesterday three Dragon Ladies landed at Fairford, but not for the show...allas.

[Craig.]

I know its not the greatest line up. But there are planes on the list i am wanting to see that i haven't seen yet. Again though, theres always next year.

[Craig.]

Search for the main RIAT webpage its all on there.

[Craig.]

http://www.militaryairshows.co.uk/ven3.htm
Or there.
Like i said the MR4 isnt confirmed and i believe is supposed to be sort of a surprise.

[Craig.]

my biggest complaint is the cost. The shows gotten smaller every year but the price remains the same. :-/

[Mr. Bones]

my biggest complaint is the cost. The shows gotten smaller every year but the price remains the same. :-/

The show doesn't really get smaller. 2003 was good, but 2004 was ten times better! Only this year, it ain't that good.
On the other hand, airshow organisers all over the world do their best to have some exotic aircraft on their list, but budget cuts in many countries, airshow regulations, securities,... make it harder each year. Considering all the difficulties, I think RIAT is still one major European airshow.

[Hagar]

Ah well, that settles it. Think I'll give it a miss. The Sunset Display at Old Warden on Saturday sounds far more tempting to me. Scale R/C models all day too. Perfick.

[Mr. Bones]

With the display schedule released, we got two interesting surprises. The RAF C-17 will open the show and Boeing will fly with their ScanEagle.  8)