RIAT, SAT, SUN AND MONDAY PICS

I think this was the best RIAT show for years with some of the best military jet displays I have ever seen.

Short in numbers on the static it was certainly more than made up with the accent on quality on the ground and in the air.

I arrived after 9am each day and apart from a half an hour car que to get in on Saturday (which was moving at least half the time) I had no problems getting in or out either day.

I was pleased that there was no noticeable extra restriction in the display of the MIG OVT between RIAT and Berlin ILA. In fact on the Sunday the display may have been a touch better than Saturday. The MIG was awsome.

However the F18s did more than I had expected in their displays and for me they were my favourite probably partly because I have seen the MIG before.

If you were at the centre or not too far from the centre of the crowdline, I think most displays were not too far away or to close to the crowd.

It appears that the concept of a lazy lunch section in the programe has disappeared and apart from the Jordanian Falcons and Utterly Butterlies, aerobatic Yak/Extra displays were noticeable by their absence. Instead there was an increase in the number of quasi industrial/military displays of semi aerobatic turbo/piston trainers from differant parts of the world.

Also not on the menue were the RAF Falcons and glider act.

Included in the displays were some acts which some enthusiasts would regard as tea break displays.

All in all nd excellent show and well don to RIAT and all the staff.

Here are quite a few of my pics. Saturday first.

Click on thumbnails