Riat - Fairford Air Tattoo July 2014

I made a visit to RIAT, The Royal International Air Tattoo held each year at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire which is best known for staging the world's largest military airshow. It was certainly a long day and to avoid the queues to get in we arrived at 7.30 and as the event did not finish until late in the day and with a two hour drive home did not arrive home until around midnight. It was exciting, noisy and I thoroughly enjoyed taking photographs.

The origins of the Royal International Air Tattoo stretch back to an airshow first held at North Weald Airfield in 1971. Inspired by two air traffic controllers, Paul Bowen and Tim Prince, this modest event, organised wholly by volunteers, was originally held in support of the Royal Air Forces Association. Over the years this volunteer force has grown into an army, more than 3,500-strong, who bring with them a wealth of aviation and event-management experience that has helped the Air Tattoo grow into the enormous event it now is.

Red Arrows

Red Arrow Aerobatic Team

Brietling Wing Walkers

Frecce Tricolori - Aerobatic Team

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