RIAT Update 07-MAR-2024

The RAF Typhoon Display Team will once again be appearing at the Air Tattoo this year and will display on Saturday and Sunday this year, arriving with a flypast on the Friday. The aircraft will be provided by 29 Squadron from RAF Coningsby who train RAF and other allied nations pilots how to fly and fight in the Typhoon. This year’s display pilot is Flight Lieutenant David Turnbull who is a Qualified Pilot Instructor with 29 Squadron and goes by the callsign “Turbo”.

Saturday and Sunday this year will witness a rare five-aircraft display by the BBMF when the Lancaster will be joined by a pair of Spitfires and both of the BBMF’s Hurricanes. Friday will involve a more traditional three-aircraft flypast.

The Red Arrows re-equipped from the Folland Gnat T.1 to the Hawk T.1A between 1979 and 1980, using specially modified aircraft that carry a diesel smoke pod in place of the gun pod. The Red Arrows are now the only unit flying the Hawk T.1A in the RAF. The Red Arrows are a family favourite and a source of national pride, they will once again be performing in the flying display at this year’s show, back as a full nine-ship for their Diamond anniversary 2024 season.

The Dambusters will be providing one of their F-35Bs to appear in the flying display on Saturday and Sunday at this year’s Air Tattoo. The performance will be a more dynamic mini-display than we have seen during previous appearances and will last for approximately 10 minutes.

QinetiQ will be providing a number of aircraft for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of our Pushing the Boundaries theme. This will include one of their Airbus Helicopters H125s.

QinetiQ will be providing their A109E for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of the Pushing the Boundaries theme. 

QinetiQ will be providing a number of aircraft for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of the Pushing the Boundaries theme. This will include their brand new and heavily modified King Air 350i for its debut at RAF Fairford. The aircraft features an upgraded 5-bladed prop, provision for a retractable optics turret and is fitted with a belly pod for equipment together with external payload rails. QinetiQ’s King Air will be able to stay airborne for 10 hours at a time.

QinetiQ will be providing a number of aircraft for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of the Pushing the Boundaries theme. This will include one of the PC’21s.

QinetiQ will be providing a number of aircraft for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of the Pushing the Boundaries theme. This will include one of the AW139's.

QinetiQ will be providing a number of aircraft for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of the Pushing the Boundaries theme. This will include one of their Grob G120TP's.