Royal International Air Tattoo 2005, RAF Fairford, 13-18th Jul'05 (Sat & other days)
1st proper arrival on the Wednesday morning, US Navy E-6
One of two German AF F-4 Phantoms taxies in
US Coast Guard C-130J Hercules, looking amazingly clean, about to shut down after their trip across the pond
This Royal Navy Merlin arrives wearing "tiger" markings
This USAF U-2 "Dragon Lady" spy plane arrived. It was one of four U2's to visit during the show week
The very rare Greek AF A-7 Corsair (or SLUF (you can work it out)) taxies in for the static, and us to refuel it...!
German AF A.310 arrives, very nicely (and newly??) painted
Polish AF Su-22 Fitter taxies in, very nice "Tiger" scheme
French Navy Atlantique arrives
This rare Greek F-4 Phantom was a very welcome sight, clean and specially painted
The "Phantom" on the tail is illuminating the Greece & all of it's surrounding island
These 3 Dutch AF AH-64 Apaches arrived, right at the end of the day
Pitts Special (OK, heavily modified) from Turkey taxies in after his display
RAF Tornado GR4 arrives flat out with a topside pass
RAF Typhoon blast into it's display, crowd looking on
RAF Typhoon returning after a safe demo...!
USAF B-1b Lancer lines up...
...uses all of it's might to blast off
Swept wings, made this awesome flypast, just below the speed of sound...
...and pulled near vertical into the heavens, for a second this "halo" was formed, a vapour shockwave...!
RAF Jaguar, nice to see they used 2 differently painted a/c Sat & Sun
USAF B-52 the awesome 8 engined "Stratofortress" lined up ready to roll
B-52 "smoke on - go" departs
B52 - 8 engines screaming in harmony