RIAT 2017 (Part 1)

RIAT 2017 promised great things, and it certainly delivered; rated as the best for several years by many reviewers such as UK Airshow Review. It celebrated the 70th anniversary of the USAF, so the Americans sent plenty of hardware, both for the static and in the flying display. There were also several other notable attendees, including the return of the Japanese, the appearance of an Israeli Hercules and the first flying display from a Ukrainian SU-27 since the turn of the Millennium. Unfortunately the weather didn't play ball, especially on Saturday, with several flying displays disrupted or cancelled in the morning. This first part covers the Saturday show; part 2 covers the Sunday. One of the firsts flying displays on Saturday was the Tornado A200A from the Italian Air Force, in special colours marking the squadron's anniversary. He displayed in terrible conditions, but put on a noisy, low routine:

The RAF Typhoon had to cancel its flying display so taxied down the runway to at least give a photo op:

The USAF display team, the Thunderbirds, returned for the first time since 2007. Again, weather on Saturday wasn't great but they still managed a display:

New on the airshow circuit for this year were the French Air Force 'Counteau Delta' team, with their two Dassault Mirage 2000Ds:

The French also brought along their Dassault Rafale, with a colourful aircraft and extremely energetic display:

The highlight of the show for me were the Ukrainian SU-27s. They had one in static and one in the flying display, for the first time since 1999:

On Sunday the weather improved and I had a look round the static: