Superb formation...

[F3Hadlow]

I was just wondering, was anyone else here present at RIAT 2003 to see this spectacular formation performed?

[Craig.]

Sadly I wasn't but was supposed to be. Great shot, wasn't it an RAF pilot in the F117? and a USAF in one of the RAF aircraft for a display?

[SkyNoz]

Sadly I wasn't but was supposed to be. Great shot, wasn't it an RAF pilot in the F117? and a USAF in one of the RAF aircraft for a display?

Whoa, I would like to know that myself. Don't know if that's true tho, and yes nice formation done by The English and Americans.

[Craig.]

The USAF and RAF usually have each others pilots in their planes. I seem to remember an RAF pilot doing a display in the F117 at the RIAT but I am not sure if this was the one.

[F3Hadlow]

This formation only happened on the Saturday of the show as the F117 was indeed flown by an RAF exchange pilot. Sundays F117 was flown by a USAF pilot which meant it couldn't happen again.

[Mynameisnemo]

The USAF and RAF usually have each others pilots in their planes. I seem to remember an RAF pilot doing a display in the F117 at the RIAT but I am not sure if this was the one.

if im right that happened in 97 on the sunday and was during the RIAT's "50th anniversary of the usaf" display, and also if i remember correctly the F-117 came from "Holloman AFB, NM".
i was actually there at the time and it was a fantastic airshow,

Also there was another Flypast thats worth mentioning, was the Red Arrows followed very closely by the B1B Lancer, with wings fully swept back and full afterburners blazing.

Nemo.......

{EDIT} Sunday 20th July 1997 F-117 handed over to its RAF pilot, and given a slightly more energetic workout as a result found here {/EDIT}

[Tweek]

RIAT seem to have quite a few impressive formations. The only time I was at Fairford in '99 (I also went to RIAT at Cottesmore '00 and '01) they had the King Hussein tribute, consisting of a Dove in formation with four Extra 300s from the Royal Jordanian Falcons, and a missing man formation of four RAF Jaguars. And then the 50th anniversary of NATO celebrations, which included formations of (if my memory serves me correctly) a Yak 3/Spitfire, Soko Galeb/Hunter, MiG-29/F-8 Crusader, SU-27/Tornado F3. There could have been more, but I don't recall them Maybe if I had been a little older at the time... Anyone else who went may be able to jog my memory!

[F3Hadlow]

Well last year there was the Red Arrows in formation with three(one day the other day saw only two) Spitfires which was a pretty cool sight.

[HawkerTempest5]

I was there, the last RIAT I went to. My pics from this event are quite poor by your standards but I got a few shots of this formation.

[C]

I wonder if we'll get a Red Arrows and B-2 formation now there is an RAF exchange pilot on the B-2 force...

[F3Hadlow]

I wonder if we'll get a Red Arrows and B-2 formation now there is an RAF exchange pilot on the B-2 force...

That would be very cool indeed! Although something tells me it would only be a straight and level formation pass

[Mr. Bones]

I was there in '03...actually it was the first time I was at Fairford and the first time I saw a F-117. The formation was very nice...but also unexpected! If I recall correctly, the pilot of the F-117 also flew for the Reds in the past...

In '04 we had the nice Heritage Flight (nothing beats a heritage flight) and last year like you mention, the recce spitfires together with the Reds. I was fortunate enough to see three of them instead of two.

[F3Hadlow]

If I recall correctly, the pilot of the F-117 also flew for the Reds in the past...

Correct indeed.

In '04 we had the nice Heritage Flight (nothing beats a heritage flight) and last year like you mention, the recce spitfires together with the Reds

They were very cool

[C]

We are very lucky to have the Heritage Flight pilots over here too at the bigger shows (and the F-15s at Lakenheath to go with them). It's nice to see the RAF relaxing slightly about flying formations with Civvys, although admittedly, I expect the Spit formation would have been all serving or ex military aircrew...

[Souichiro]

At the funeral of Prince Bernhard 2 years ago they had the dutch spit form up with 4 F-16's and do a missing man formation. The spit shot up in the sky... The timing was spot on too... I've seen footage from on of the F-16's on the net but the last time I posted nobady else was able to see the vid...

That moment sent a lot of people crying.. It was just soo beautifull!

Great pics!