Welcome to RIAT 2006, one of the biggest and best military air shows in the world! 2006 proved to be one of the very best RIATs in years, with blazing sunshine and a host of breathtaking flying displays.
The star of the show was the Russian MiG-290VT performing amazing vector thrust manoeuvres - bit its star billing was hotly contested by stunning displays courtesy of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Swiss F/A-18C Hornet and the US F-15C Eagle flying both solo and in a USAF Heritage flight with a P-51.
Other top combat jet displays were provided by the Mirage 2000B, Spanish and British Typhoons, Harrier GR7A, Dutch F-16 and the Gripen, while the B-1B Lancer and B-52 represented the bomber contingent.
For fans of top display team flying the Red Arrows put in an amazing performance - and flew in formation with the VC-10 to mark it's 40 years of RAF service. The Patrouille Suisse made a welcome return to Fairford, and other teams on show included the Spanish Patrulla Aguila and the Royal Jordanian Falcons.
Making its first UK appearance was the Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey, while the show also saw the last public display of the RAF Canberra PR9 before its retirement. Other classic aircraft on display included the Rolls Royce Spitfire XIX and the BBMF.
Not forgetting fantastic displays by Chinooks, a Czech Mi-24V Hind, and many more!
DD were on hand to capture all the best action from both air show days - plus the four days the public never get to see - Arrivals Day, Press Day, Rehearsal Day and Departures Day, offering a thrilling behind-the-scenes look at the event. Apart from batteries of ground cameras, 14 minicams were fitted in aircraft as diverse as the Swiss Hornet, PC-7, B-1B, F-15C, Canberra, PC-21, Hind, Mirage, 2000B, Ditch F-16 and the Patrulla Aguila to offer spectacular pilot's eye views of the displays!
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