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Part Two: Big Themes

The tattoo hosted the MoD's official flying tribute to the 60th anniversary of the allied invasion of Normandy in 1944. The anniversary was marked on the ground as well as forming the finale to the two public days of RIAT. While the ground exhibtion, a recreation of a allied airfield, was a great success with re-enactors and various warbirds, the aerial tribute has created mixed feelings. Held very much in the "Theatre in the Air" philosophy pioneered by the Tattoo, it was scheduled to last for about 50mins to an hour involing types associated with the build up, execution and follow up to the invasion. The major plus point is that this was perhaps the best collection of types gathered for an aerial tribute this year representing pretty much all of the aspects of D-Day with some equally rare outings for some warbirds. Particular highlights for your scribe were Maurice Bayliss' rare Supermarine Spitfire T9 in the hands of Paul "Major" Day and AMPAA's Grumman TBM-3E Avenger from France. However, it wasn't until the formation of Spitfires and Mustangs got involved that the set piece really got going. The major hit of the tributge however must be the commentary. With Sean Maffett introducing the various sections and actors provifing some authentic background chatter and atmosphere to the event. The large gaps and somewhat flat flying mat be attributed to the lack of rehearsal time (Friday's rehearsal being washed out) for the event as well as some unfortuate cancellations, particularly on Saturday

We think this was perhaps the most sucessful theme for 2004 bringing together another top class ground exhibtion with some very rare aircraft from France. The attending types were certainly a major hit with the enthusiasts, though tinged with a lttle sadness. The sadness was for the ever popular Dassault Mirage IVP which has possibly made it's last ever appearance in this country as it's due to retire towards the end of the year. It was therefore fitting to see it alongside it's RAF counterpart, the Canberra PR9. The Entente Cordiale was marked in the air with some joint flypasts and a display by the Patrouille de France on Saturday.

 In the end, Fighter '04 proved something of a dissappointment. The last minute cancellation of the Italian Starfighters left a huge hole in the line-up which in the end was dominated by the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The star of the line-up was the Luftwaffe F-4F(ICE) Phantom II. Sadly, recent changes in the Luftwaffe meant that fast jets including the F-4 are no longer permitted to participate in flying display so the appearance was more than welcome. The only representative was from the Lithuainian Air Force and their L-39C Albatros, a very rare and most welcome participant. We hope they come back soon!

 For those who feel we don't have any success stories of late, RIAT reminded us of the 30th Anniversary of the BAE Systems Hawk. 30 years and still in production is a major milestone by anyone's standard and only RIAT is capable to celebrating this achievement in style. All of the RAF's Hawk squadrons participated and also the Centre of Aviation Medicine's example. Sadly DERA's XX154, the first ever Hawk, was unable to attend. BAE Systems also sent the Hawk Mk.102D to represent the Hawk's future guise. However, star of the static Hawk display was the CT-115 Hawk Mk.115 from the Canadian Armed Forces/NFTC.

 Unfortunatly, the ever fluid world situation means that Hercules are forever needed elsewhere! 10 years ago, the world was a slightly quieter place and therefore more 'herks' were available for airshows, those IAT 1994 was hit by the Rwandan crisis. However, some 37 aircraft made it for the aircraft's 40th Anniversary. 2004's 50th anniversary was much less well attended, though no less interesting. The US contigent thankfully saved the theme bringing in more than half of the total. You can also always count on the plucky New Zealanders to make it too even if your closest neighbours (like Belgium, France, Spain and Austria) can't. Highlights in the static were the US ANG LC-130H Hercules, WC-130J Hercules and a gaggle of USAF special operation's MC-130 variants. The RAF managed an example of the old and the new versions from it's fleet, namely the C-130K and C-130J to add to the four examples in the flying display.