RIAT Air Tattoo 2011 Birthday Bash

By Geoff Coughlin, Editor

Celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the world’s largest and most exciting airshow were staged at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire last summer.

The Royal International Air Tattoo event, held on July 16 and July 17, was certainly impressive, despite the poor weather for some of the weekend. The usual breath-taking set pieces both in the air and on the ground marked the airshow’s landmark birthday. It seems incredible that the first Air Tattoo was held at North Weald airfield in 1971 and has since grown to become one of the UK’s biggest outdoor public events. It is staged annually in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.

Huge numbers of air enthusiasts, including hundreds, if not thousands of scale modellers attended the airshow to see many of the world’s most exciting aircraft, including fast jets, giant transporters, classic warbirds, helicopters and aerobatics display teams.

In addition to the thrilling seven-hour flying programme, there was the usual large static aircraft park, a classic car display, an action arena, fairground and outdoor concert.

This was an impressive event for scale modellers and has become a firm favourite for many not only in the UK, but from far afield overseas too and we have collected a number of images representing the event here, so take your time and browse through what’s on offer – there’s something for everyone, just like the weekend itself.

As well as celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Air Tattoo hosted a gathering of specially-decorated ‘Tiger’ aircraft from the NATO Tiger Association. ‘Tiger’ aircraft come from NATO squadrons that have a Tiger or Big Cat in their emblem and their association marked its 50th anniversary in 2011. The ‘operational’ spotlight STAR 11 focused on aircraft and equipment involved in the roles of Strike and Reconnaissance.

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