Thoughts on RIAT (Flying)
 

Anyone got any thoughts on the flying displays at RIAT?

What were the best displays in each genre of aircraft?

*Opens spotter book*

My fave display was by the French Mirage followed by the B.1 bomber (barrel rolls - fab!) and then, of course, the Stealth bomber fly-by (should have done more) and the Stealth fighter (nice to hear the RAF pilot talking us through).

*Puts spotter book away* ;)

VFE.

Don't you think the commentary by the F-15 (USAF) dude whilst Maj whats his name did the display was SO COOL!!
Everything word, phrase, comment from the mouth of this superstar was SO 'Americans are masters of the universe' blah, his high pitched warble had the crowd hanging on every pause, just waiting for the next 'AND... NOW... LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...MAJ SO AND SO...SHALL...PERFORM... AN...INVERTED...TRIPLE...HALF...NELSON...WHILST... EATING A SEM..'I'...COOKED... POT...NOODLE... Blah blah. For me, it was the most entertaining moment of the whole show, simply awesome. The F-15 display was alright as well.
Snappers

[ 31 July 2001: Message edited by: Snapshot ]

Despite our team winning a trophy(!), we have decided to open our own website aiming to worship both Major Blue AND his awesome commentator. "One more time, from the right,....etc!"

Simply awesome!
(Good display too!) ;)

And the fantastic VC10 flypast was by 10 Sqn, not 101.

AllTrimDoubt,
That was his name, Major Blue! I remember saying to a mate, I thought the commentator was going to launch into a song! 'Woooww, ma'ja, Bluuuu, wooow, wooow, woooooow....'
Lets hear it for Major Blue.
I think ALL displays should have such a charismatic talk through as the F-15 did. I am taking the pi$$ here but it REALLY was a cool talk through and as mentioned, EXTREMELY entertaining.
'One more time inverted...'
Snappers :D

Our senior Cadet said the defining moment was the Spitfire flypast over the Gala Dinner on Friday night. That same evening however, we noticed the clouds form into the shape of a Vulcan (the sun shining though the cockpit) directly above the F15s parked near Red. A premonition for next year?

If I hadn't read in the programme that the B2 flypast was expected, I would have thought it was a visitation from outer space. Awesome!! (Even though it didn't do very much).

The B1B wins my top place for the most impressive display. Thanks also to 23 Sqn for their hospitality on the E-3D.

I have to say I liked the Hunter displays, Also the B1B was quite interesting(bit to loud me thinks). Mad Pax, youre right, that spitfire over the Gala Dinner was impresive, we all had a good view of it from the camp site.

:) Eagle 1 :)

Enjoyed the whole lot on Sunday to be precise. Reds, Patrouille and Frecce equally entertaining. But I like jet noise and the sound of freedom most, so for my money the B1 was loudest, F-15 was sharpest, Mirage 2000 was roughest, CF-18 most nostalgic (got some time up there), Hungarian Mig-29 was tightest, F-4 best 60's airframe show, F-16s best multiple participant type, Sea Harriers most balletic, and Luftwaffe Mig-29 most heart-stopping runway miss (50 feet'?) after vertical reversal at southern end followed by landing due 'technical difficulties'...possibly underwear change!
Any clarification welcome on that... :p

[ 05 August 2001: Message edited by: Jetsbest ]

Jetsbest

The German MIG was ordered to land by the Flying Control Committee. They took a dim view of his lack of control of the manoeuvre that brought him to within 100 ft of the runway.

Can't say I blame them either

[ 05 August 2001: Message edited by: Man-on-the-fence ]