Fairford Airshow 2010 

Air Tattoo pulls out all the stops to commemorate the Battle of Britain

 

Thousands turned-out for this weekend’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, with around 155,000 people attending over the two days.

 

Both days saw participants pulling out all the stops to entertain with some superb flying, one of the highlights being the multi-national flypast staged as part of the Air Tattoo’s Battle of Britain 70th anniversary commemorations.

 

 

Spitfires, Hurricanes and a trio of Messerschmitts flying in formation provided a memorable and moving sight as former foes flew together, while the World War Two aircraft were followed by their modern counter-parts to bring the flypast right up to date.

 

The USAF F-22A Raptor was the aircraft every fan wanted to see, and they weren’t disappointed as pilot Major Dave ‘Zeke’ Skalicky put on an awe-inspiring display.

 

Other high points included the rare sight of a Spitfire and Typhoon combination, and the first UK public appearance of the A400M, the RAF’s future airlifter.

 

In total, 246 aircraft took part in the Air Tattoo, from 30 air arms representing 17 nations.

 

 

VIP guests included HRH Lieutenant General Prince Feisal bin Hussein of Jordan; Defence Minister Gerald Howarth; Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton; Chief of Staff USAF General Norton Schwartz; the head of the Iraqi Air Force Lt Gen Anwar Hamad Amin; plus a delegation of senior military personnel from China.

 

Special guests included Top Gear presenter James May, whose book-signing session proved hugely popular; Only Fools & Horses star Sir David Jason, Beatles producer Sir George Martin, Marks & Spencer Executive Chairman Sir Stuart Rose and BBC Foreign Correspondent Brian Hanrahan.

 

See our picture gallery below...

 

Air Tattoo 2010 Gallery

Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photos by John Knight