RIAT 2012

[Gaz]

Spoke to XP today. Totterdown is pretty boggy, already. He said the flying was good though!

[Nickolas]

Spoke to XP today. Totterdown is pretty boggy, already. He said the flying was good though!

Might become 'Slither down' by the weekend.

[Mackrick]

Not been away just don't get much time to do anything. Hope to see a few of you this weekend

[Minty4371]

To everyone going to RIAT this year, enjoy the show. Was going to go, but cant go now. I look forward to seeing photos and videos that are taken. Hope XH558 flies well, and thrills all the crowd.

[Lucas1860]

At Totterdown Hill, the weather is horrendous, rained since 11, no let up in sight for either day. Gunnw be one of those years.

[Crew chief]

Just got back from Fairford quite a poor day not much flying and very very wet.
Looks like i missed the best stuff after i left.

cc.

[350wedge]

I wont be going tomorrow, heard from several sources the car parks are a bit of a mudbath. Looks like it may be a better day overall than today but I dont fancy getting stuck in a field esp if there is more heavy rain overnight

[Kermit]

If you want to avoid the mud, go for the RED carpark, its concrete (the old runway, I think) and yes, after a boring lull today there was some spectacular flying ! Tomorrow is indeed supposed to be the better day.
Those Koreans are really very good BTW, ....

[Olicat]

Have to agree with you about the Koreans, they did a full show despite going into cloud at times which was excellent.
And those T-50s can really shift!

[Minty4371]

Glad it is going well. How did XH558's display go? I will have to wait for videos to see what happened .

[RLN]

Only the Fouga, the Sea Fury and the Parachutist Team didn't play. To replace the Parachutists, the two Ospreys did an impromptu twin display to kick things off at 10:00, as well as the solo display later in the day. Everything else that was supposed to fly, flew, albeit doing mainly flat displays due to the cloudbase. XH558 arrived from Farnborough and went staight into her display - several power climbs and 2 good wing-overs.

The best part of the day was the Korean commentator at the start of the display as they approached from behind the crowd. After he said "The Black eagles are coming from your behind", I couldn't take anything else seriously.

[Hihonyr8811]

The best part of the day was the Korean commentator at the start of the display as they approached from behind the crowd. After he said "The Black eagles are coming from your behind", I couldn't take anything else seriously.

He said that at Waddington too I was stood next to/walking past the F-16s I think it was, when he said it and the pilots had a bit of a chuckle too, so clearly not lost in translation shame I wasn't filming at the time .

[Xplumberlives]

Thoroughly enjoyed RIAT 2012, damned shame about the weather, but hey that's an English summer for you!

Great fun watching all the "cool" youngsters walking through mud in their nice white trainers and loads of people who can't drive getting stuck in their cars!

Already booked the pitch for next year! Only difference is that I may forego actually entering RAF Fairford and revert to viewing from outside! The Static is a bloody long walk with all the gear to carry, I don't need a funfair and I don't need a Sunday market!

Oh and why do so many people not look where they are going? I had endless idiots walk in to me and then either look up from their phone or down from the air display!

Roll on RIAT 2013

[SnailRFC]

Another great weekend.
Flying Highlights for me, Black Eagles, (The Reds have some competition!) the Sky Lift flypast, Rafale - Outstanding, Ospreys, Chinook and of course, BoBMF, Reds, Typhoons, Vulcan and Tornado's and actually quite enjoyed the DHL show!

Static highlights, obviously the B-2 and the very approachable and chatty pilots and crew. Colombian Herc, Combat Shadow and Talon and their crew, always worth a visit and a chat, Galaxy, and KC-135/10's etc. Am a sucker for a large grey transporter! Osprey crew were pretty cool guys to chat too as well.
My mate who I go with also knew somebody who got us in the Breitling enclsure which was nice, but not the best for photography in there for such a high profile company.

Most memorable highlight, the Breitling wingwalk girl. H.O.T!!!!

No major disappointments, other than weather and the driving of some people in the Blue Car Park Saturday night. Didn't leave the show until way past 7 and it was in a right mess. I got out safely, but some people are completely clueless when it comes to driving in bad conditions, although the good old British spirit of helping each other out and farmers pulling people out who were genuinely stuck raised a smile.
Not sure why Jordanian falcons return each year. Just seems like a convenient Toilet/food/bar/drink/static display break to me. I'm guessing they front up a bucket load of £, so it's hard for them to turn down.
Took some nice pictures of the C-17 that went over P+V Thursday only to feel terrible after hearing on the radio, as it was coming back on a repatriation.
Was a little concerened about the Belgian/Dutch F-16 that nearly stacked it down the west end Friday and he got immediately called in. Could see that he was way too low and myself and my mate both let out an audible "S**t" at the same time.

Oh and in addition (following on from the post above), I can't believe how unprepared some people are for these shows sometimes.
I lost count of the people I saw in just a T-Shirt and Jeans and trainers or non walking boots and wellies, some in Sandles!! or girls in unpractical shoes and no coat or people with no waterproofs on, even near the end of the show Saturday these people were visible.
Just madness. I'm guessing Beechams will be doing well in selling cold and flu powders and Lucozade this week. (which will keep one of my friends in work at least!!)

[Lucas1860]

Thoroughly enjoyed RIAT 2012, damned shame about the weather, but hey that's an English summer for you!

Great fun watching all the "cool" youngsters walking through mud in their nice white trainers and loads of people who can't drive getting stuck in their cars!

Already booked the pitch for next year! Only difference is that I may forego actually entering RAF Fairford and revert to viewing from outside! The Static is a bloody long walk with all the gear to carry, I don't need a funfair and I don't need a Sunday market!

Oh and why do so many people not look where they are going? I had endless idiots walk in to me and then either look up from their phone or down from the air display!

Roll on RIAT 2013

Agreed. Jim.

[Xplumberlives]

Most memorable highlight, the Breitling wingwalk girl. H.O.T!!!!

Did you meet them? I am too much of a gentlemen to have taken pictures, butt they were VERY nice!

[SnailRFC]

I took a couple of "cheeky" pictures and then bumped into her (not literally) Just smiled, too embarrassed and she was with a much better looking guy than me! LOL! in the Breitling village, seemed nice enough!

[Xplumberlives]

Both of them were very short though!

[Gaz]

Stayed in Totterdown Fri, Sat, Sun. Flying display was good on both display days, marginally better weather on the Sunday.

Highlights for me: Black Eagles (Your move, Red Arrows!!), Phantom & the B2 on Friday and the Fulcrum. The two Tonkas doing "Missing Man" to close the whole show, I found, very poignant and a fitting way to close the event.

Nice to meet up with XP a couple of times and help him clear his ale cellar!

[Xplumberlives]

Stayed in Totterdown Fri, Sat, Sun. Flying display was good on both display days, marginally better weather on the Sunday.

Highlights for me: Black Eagles (Your move, Red Arrows!!), Phantom & the B2 on Friday and the Fulcrum. The two Tonkas doing "Missing Man" to close the whole show, I found, very poignant and a fitting way to close the event.

Nice to meet up with XP a couple of times and help him clear his ale cellar!

We found some lovely beer didn't we!!

[Gaz]

Stayed in Totterdown Fri, Sat, Sun. Flying display was good on both display days, marginally better weather on the Sunday.

Highlights for me: Black Eagles (Your move, Red Arrows!!), Phantom & the B2 on Friday and the Fulcrum. The two Tonkas doing "Missing Man" to close the whole show, I found, very poignant and a fitting way to close the event.

Nice to meet up with XP a couple of times and help him clear his ale cellar!

We found some lovely beer didn't we!!

That "Crooked Hen" was nectar!!