Tri-Service
150,000 Thrilled By Mass Fly-Past At Royal International Air Tattoo
A bumper crowd of almost 150,000 people have been treated to a spectacular display of aviation from across the globe during the three-day Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).
The highlights at the festival at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire included a massed flypast of vintage warbirds to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
This culminated in a special salute taken by three wartime pilots - Flying Officer Ken Wilkinson with Squadron Leaders Geoffrey Wellum and Tony Pickering - who were joined by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford.
The ever-popular Vulcan XH558 also made its final RIAT appearance before it retires at the end of this year.
The delta-winged Cold War bomber performed dramatic solo displays followed by joint flypasts with the RAF Red Arrows over the weekend.
The airshow also hosted the international debut of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force's Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, which performed in the flying display and attracted significant interest on the ground.
In total 232 aircraft from 27 air arms, representing 22 countries, took part in the Air Tattoo.
Royalty was at the airshow with Prince Michael of Kent, the Duke of Kent and Prince Feisal of Jordan enjoying the event.
Laura Rogers, 30, from Bristol, said: "My favourite bit was the Red Arrows but I also loved the Spitfire and the Vulcan. The airshow has been amazing and I've been surprised at how much there is to do here.
"I think I needed two days to get round the show as well as sit down and watch the displays."
The last flying Vulcan bomber, XH558, is continuing to provide jaw-dropping moments as its farewell tour continues:
Air Tattoo chief executive Andy Armstrong said he was delighted that a large crowd had been treated to one of the most exciting Air Tattoos in recent memory.
"The range of aircraft on display both in the air and on the ground has been incredible and we are grateful to all the air arms from around the world that participated and helped make the event such a success," he said.
"As well as providing one of the world's greatest aviation spectacles, the Air Tattoo plays an important role in support of UK defence diplomacy, and the 2015 airshow once again provided a relaxed yet dynamic meeting place where senior industry figures and military chiefs could come together to celebrate the best of aviation.
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