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The
Royal International Air Tattoo 2004 at RAF Fairford will take place
on Sat July 17 and Sun July 18.
(20 Pictures)
Every
year the event attracts hordes of aviation enthusiasts - last year
just under 200 thousand turned up from far and wide.
This
year, once again, promises to be a feast of flight-related fun.
Lust
for thrust
From
the heart-stopping precision flying of the Red Arrows to the jaw-dropping
aerial displays by many of the world's leading 'Top Gun' pilots,
Europe's largest airshow is guaranteed to satisfy everyone's lust
for thrust.
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| The
Red Arrows |
And
on the ground there'll be more family entertainment with a concert,
hot air balloons, stalls, exhibits, roadshows and virtual reality
rides.
D-day
As
well as the usual air displays there'll be a special tribute, marking
the 60th anniversary of D-day - arguably the most pivotal day of
World War Two.
Sixty
years on, The Royal International Air Tattoo will host an MoD-sponsored
tribute to this epic 'invasion' by recreating the sights and sounds
of a D-day airfield featuring some of the aircraft that contributed
to its success, such as Dakotas, Mustangs, Spitfires, Lancaster
and Austers.
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| The
Red Arrows followed by a Stealth Fighter |
Entente
Cordiale
To
mark the centenary of the signing of the historic 'Entente Cordiale',
Tattoo organisers are promising a unique aerial display that will
surpass last year's stunning joint flypast by the Red Arrows and
a USAF F-117A stealth bomber.
In
addition, there will be a feast of Anglo-French entertainment -
in the air and on the ground - to highlight the ties that unite
the two countries.
Happy
Birthday Herk
Another
anniversary will be marked at the Tattoo this year.
It's
50 years since the introduction of the 'workhorse' aircraft, the
Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules.
The
Tattoo will spotlight the aircraft's versatility in areas such as
search and rescue, famine relief, in-flight refuelling, and firefighting.
Fighter
04
This
year's operational theme Fighter 04 will see one of the largest
collections of fighter aircraft from around the world including
the Hunter, F-15, F-16, Tornado, Sea Harrier, the Mirage 2000 and
Typhoon.
It
promises to be an unforgettable display of their air defence and
air superiority capabilities.
The
Great Escape
Joining
the Tattoo to mark the 60th anniversary of The Great Escape will
be the last two surviving UK-based veterans of The Great Escape.
They
will join a special tribute to those who took part in one of most
daring - and infamous - episodes of World War Two history.
The
Hawk
To
mark another milestone - 30 years of production of the BAE SYSTEMS'
Hawk - the Royal International Air Tattoo will highlight its appeal.
Such
is its speed and manoeuvrability, it has been the Red Arrows' aircraft
of choice since 1980.
As
the Hawk celebrates its birthday, the world-famous Reds will be
at The Tattoo to celebrate another landmark - their 40th display
season.
Event
Timetable July 17-18
Gates
open: 7.30am
Flying
Display 10.00am: 6.00pm
Evening Concert: 6.00pm-8.15pm
Airfield Closes: 9.30pm
Admission
Charges
Advance Adult: £29.95
On-the day Adult: £35
Children 15 and under FREE
Car Parking Free with an admission ticket
Find out more from the
View
photos of previous events and aircraft that will be on display:-
(20 Pictures)
Find
about other Gloucestershire festivals on our festival
listings page.
If
you would like to comment on this story get in touch at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
or have your say on our
|
The
'roar' power of some of the world's most awesome flying machines will
be unleashed into the skies above RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire
this weekend. We preview the RIAT.
