When talking about Airshows, many planes, breathtaking stunts and a mass of people who are ionate about the most varied models of aircraft soon come to mind.
However, at air shows there is an aviation class that draws a lot of attention, starting with the sound. This is military aviation, especially fighters from the most varied countries and models.
There are several Airshows in the world with the presence of military aviation, including FIDAE, in Santiago, Chile, and Oshkosh, in the USA.
However, when talking about military aviation, a place is not forgotten in the minds of spotters and aviation lovers. We are talking about the RIAT (Royal International Air Tattoo), which takes place at Fairford Air Base, in the United Kingdom.
Next year this wonderful event should complete 50 years of existence.
At this base, fighters of the most varied models and nations come together for three days of many maneuvers, noise and, of course, adrenaline.
If we are going to cite some examples of fighters, we have from the squadrons of each air force, such as the owners of the house, the Red Arrows, to the Italian Frecce Tricolori, or the Swiss Patrouille Suisse.
However, there are solo presentations of fighters and other aircraft and there the list is greatly increased, as an example we can mention the F-22, F-35, F-16, F-18, Eurofighter, Rafale, Gripen and even fighters manufactured Russian aircraft, such as the MiG 21, MiG 29 and SU-27.
But as has been said there are other aircraft involved and there are other classics that are also great. Examples? Yes, we do have B-2 Spirit, KC-10, KC-135, B-52, C-17, KC-390 and so on.
Tradition
But it is not new that RIAT brings together many planes and a loyal audience. This, which is considered the main Airshow of military aircraft in the world, will complete 2021 years in 50 and its history begins in 1971, in the city of North Weald, in the United Kingdom.
In 1974, Greenham Air Base hosted the Airshow. This year more aircraft participated and during this year the Airshow received the name of International Air Tattoo (IAT). At Greenham base the IAT took place until 1985, when again the location of the air show was changed.
In 1985 the IAT arrives at the Fairford base and until 1993 it was held every two years. From 1994 until today, the main military aircraft airshow takes place annually between the months of June and July.
In 1996 an important event happened, the IAT was renamed RIAT, the (R) comes from Royal, since the Queen granted this title to this important event.
The Fairford air base where the RIAT takes place is located approximately 136,9 km from the capital London, and even with all that distance, it is crowded with visitors in all years of the event.
Brazilian presence at RIAT
Our country has already participated in the RIAT, as an example we can mention our glorious Smoke Squadron that went to the Fairdford base with its T-27 Tucano, in 2008.
Another prominent Brazilian presence was the participation of the KC-390 logistic transport plane, in 2018. The aircraft exhibition was sponsored by Embraer, which wants to obtain more sales for its newest military transport plane.
RIAT certainly brings back good memories and wonderful images. This detail could not be missing from the article, which is why we have created a special gallery for our followers, with photos of Gisele Orquídea, taken at the 2018 and 2019 RIAT.
Videographer:
To find out about the RIAT 2021 edition, such as purchasing tickets, event date and more information, visit Airshow official website.
This is not an editorial or sponsored article.
Text: André Magalhães
Photos and production: Gisele Orquídea
