The Royal International Air Tattoo held annually at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire is the worlds largest military Airshow.

  In 2007 320 aircraft were present from 24 Countries around the world.

  On the Saturday some 110,000 people attended the event.  Unfortunately on the Sunday the weather was typical of that being experienced in the UK this summer with wind and heavy rain.

  There were a number of firsts on display at this years show and without doubt the highlights of the static park were the Brasillian Air Force Embraer R-99A and the Indian Air Force contingent comprising 2 Sukhoi SU-30 MKI’s and an IL-78 Midas tanker in support.

  Royal Air Force participation was disappointing although attributed to the force currently being stretched with ongoing operations in the theatres of Iraq and Afghanistan.

  The main theme for the show this year was the celebration of the 60^th anniversary of the United States Air force.  A varied display was on offer ranging from P-51 Mustangs right up to the current heavyweights of B-52’s, B-1B’s, C-17’s and the C-5.  Two F-117A Stealth Fighters were also present with one participating in the flying display.  This surely marked the last appearance of this amazing aircraft at a British air show.  Also participating in the celebrations were the Thunderbirds making their only UK appearance.

  There was as is the norm a large gathering of display teams with in addition to the Thunderbirds the Red Arrows from the UK, the Frecce Tricolori from Italy, the Patrulla Aguila from Spain and the Royal Jordanian Falcons all present.

  Special paint schemes for the display circuit were in abundance at the show, the Greek Air Force sending a tiger scheme A-7 Lockheed C-130, the Italian Air Force sent a Tornado and HH-3 helicopter and a number of RAF special tails were on display.

  The flying display was the longest ever staged at some 9 hours.  Unfortunately your correspondent attended on the Sunday when the weather unfortunately didn’t lend itself to nice flying display photography with a sunny blue sky. 

  The Tattoo always likes to involve something different in the flying programme and this year it was the turn of an Oasis Hong Kong Boeing 747-400 which showed that it could hold its own with the fighters displaying tight turns and low passes.

  RIAT once again delivered and lived up to expectations with a huge static display and lengthy flying programme.

The greatest military air show in the World returns in 2008 on the 12 and 13 July.