RIAT 2014

On Saturday and Sunday, the world’s largest military air show drew an audience of 250,000. The British people always like to visit air shows, and this year’s intense interest was aroused by the European debut of the F–35 US fighter jet, which was, however cancelled. Two weeks earlier, the engine of one of the aircraft had developed a fault, and the manufacturers considered it to be a significant malfunction which necessitated the overhaul of all aircraft. The organizers trusted in the F–35 display until the last moment, and when they had to tell the press the sad news, they justified their decision – as a small consolation –, with the slogan “Safety…has to be our priority".

The cancelled sensation left its mark on the program of the show, but the organizers filled the nearly 60-minute window aptly, as they had opportunity to choose from numerous solo displays and formation flying. The British Red Arrows celebrated its 50th birthday this year, and presented a sensational program in the sky and on the ground – and, in a due manner of rich countries, the vertical stabilizers received special painting. Naturally, the narrator of the Italian and Swiss formation flying displays also greeted the Red Arrows.

The Hungarian two-seater Gripen was flown to Fairford by Lt. Róbert Töttös and Lt. András Gottschall. This time, it was displayed as a static airplane between a Swedish JAS–39 and a US F–18. Beside these aircraft, the visitors could see one of the category winners of the air show, a Greek Corsair with special “pirate" painting. The An–26 was also there among the other transport aircraft.

Only two airplanes represented the former Warsaw Pact in the air, but they were all the more louder. The roaring engines of the Su–22s of the Polish Air Force sounded like thunder already at the start-up, and the program of these “big aircraft" was really impressive, as the lead aircraft of the pair performed three rolls in front of the audience. Thus, it is no wonder that this time, the one-time “As the Crow Flies" Trophy of Gyula Vári and Topi Szabó, a sculpture nicknamed “Arthur" went to the pilot bag of the Polish boys.

Pyrotechnics also played a role in making flying displays more spectacular. The imitated hits of Hellfire missiles (which are capable of destroying eight tanks) and the bursts of fire from autocannons made the flight of the British Apache scarily lifelike. The eight-hour program had some “tabloid-like" parts too, of course, so the spectators could see girls performing gymnastics with safety belts on the upper wings of biplanes, and had opportunity to take photos with the main characters of Star Wars while walking among the aircraft.

The last half hour was devoted to remembrance again. First a C–47 Skytrain with invasion stripes and then a Lancaster and a Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Group re-enacted the period of the Normandy landings. Finally, a Eurofighter of the Royal Air Force flew in formation with the veteran fighter.

The air show was also attended by Brig.-Gen. Albert Sáfár, Air Force Chief, HDF Joint Force Command, who was participating in a conference of the Gripen User Group (GUG).

Photos by the author