A new tatoo

Flight Journal, Feb 2001 by Gosling, Peter

Put more than 300 aircraft from 30 air forces onto an RAF air base in the heart of England, open the gates to 120,000 people, and you have the makings of something exciting! And that is exactly what happened at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Cottesmore in the tiny county of Rutland. For two days last July, the largest military airshow in the world provided a dramatic spectacle of world-class aviation power on the ground and in the air.

Despite the low clouds, the display teams from the Slovakian Air Force in their White Albatross L-39s, the Royal Jordanian Air Force Falcons, Swiss Air Force F-SEs and RAF Red Arrows delighted the crowds. The skies boomed with the sound of the mighty USAF transports as they demonstrated their ability to deliver massive cargoes to restricted spaces.

After the thunder of jets came the more sedate growl of Pratt & Whitneys in flypasts by a Douglas C-47 and its younger brother the C-54-flown in civilian guise as a DC-4.

The crowd was able to see a Finnish Air Force F-18C Hornet, a MiG-29UB from Hungary, a Swedish JA 37 Viggen and a Mirage 2000 put through their paces. A real showstopper was the display of STOL capabilities by a PZL Mielec (An-28B Bryza) from the Polish Navy. This was matched, however, by the Ukrainian Air Force An-72.

No flying display would be complete without a visit from several veterans, and the older members of the crowd were allowed their wave of nostalgia by the sight of six Supermarine Spitfires and two Hawker Hurricanes in the air together with the sole surviving Bristol Blenheim bomber.

Two of the more unconventional displays were the exhibition of synchronized aerobatics by a pair of Schleicher ASK-21 gliders and the VSTOL abilities of a Royal Navy Sea Harrier. The maneuverability of a Boeing Chinook helicopter and the aerobatics of a Swiss Air Force Super Puma provided excitement, too.

The static displays also attracted much interest. C-130s from all over the world abounded. Examples of the Chinook, Apache gunship, Agusta and Alouette helicopters were present as well. Tucked away in one corner of the field was a single B-lB from the 20th Bomber Squadron, which was next to a one-time enemy: a Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire.

It was a spectacular event-one that I'm sure will continue to grow through the years. -Peter Gosling