RIAT Awards salute 'The Few'
Above: The RAF Eurofighter Typhoon and Spitfire Synchro Pair at RIAT 2015.
With the Air Tattoo staging a commemorative flypast and salute to ‘The Few’, it was fitting that the 75th anniversary of the conflict should be remembered at the Sunday Night Hangar Party, the traditional finale to the event.
The ceremony was introduced by Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson, Chairman of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and President of RIAT, who said: “This has been one of our greatest shows ever. There’s been a tremendous response from the public, and fantastic displays which have wowed the crowds: thank you to all who contributed.”
The presentations kicked off with an impromptu award by Andy Armstrong, Chief Executive of the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises and Director of RIAT, who presented his own RIAT CEO Award – six bottles of champagne - to the Tri-national Tornado Training Establishment Tornados from the RAF, and the German and Italian Air Forces.
The Paul Bowen Trophy - presented in memory of the Royal International Air Tattoo co-founder Paul Bowen for the Best Solo Jet Demonstration – went to the Finnish F-18 flown by Capt Ville Uggeldahl. The trophy was presented by Andy Armstrong.
Capt Uggeldahl said: “We have not performed at the Air Tattoo since 2009, so to take this award home is absolutely a great honour. We were up against some impressive performers this year, so this is a great surprise.”
The Sir Douglas Bader Trophy – presented for the Best Individual Flying Display – went to the German Bolkow Bo105 helicopter. Alan Smith, Chairman of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, presented the trophy to Capt Torsten Mobius who said: “I’m very surprised. It’s the first time I’ve been to Fairford and to win this trophy is just great.”
Wg Cdr Jonathan Nixon, chairman of the Flying Control Committee, presented The Cannestra Trophy for the Best Flying Demonstration by an overseas participant. The trophy went to the Slovenian Pilatus PC9 trainer, flown by display pilot 1st Lt Andrej Fiorell. He said: “I am very proud to have won this award. When you consider all the fighter jets displayed by other countries it’s wonderful to take this award home to Slovenia.”
The Steedman Display Sword - presented by The Royal International Air Tattoo in memory of the late Air Chief Marshal Sir Alasdair Steedman, Chairman of the International Air Tattoo (1981-1988), for the Best Flying Demonstration by a UK participant – was awarded to the Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon and Spitfire Synchro Pair.
Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson presented the sword to Typhoon pilot Flt Lt Ben Westoby-Brooks, who said: “I’m honoured to receive such an award. We wanted to do something special this year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and I’m so glad that we’ve had such a great reaction from all who’ve seen the display, and that we’ve been able to tell the story of ‘The Few’ who gave their all in the summer of 1940. We’re doing it for them and for their memory.”
Spitfire pilot Flt Lt Antony Parkinson MBE was unable to attend the ceremony, and was represented by Flt Lt Nige Parker of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (above).
The As the Crow Flies Trophy, awarded for the best overall flying demonstration as voted for by the Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo, was presented by Jim Glover, Non-Executive Director of the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises. The award went to the Vulcan To The Skies Trust, a fitting tribute to Vulcan XH558 in its final display season.
Vulcan pilot Martin Withers said: “I’m proud to receive this on behalf of the whole team. What’s happened with the Vulcan over the years has been a tremendous experience, and we really appreciate this recognition of the effort that’s gone into it. We’re delighted to receive this for XH558’s last display at RIAT, and we will treasure it.”
The Best Livery award, for the aircraft with the best special paint scheme, went to the Hellenic Air Force Zeus Demo Team. Andy Armstrong presented the award to demo pilot Maj Sotiris Stralis who said: “It has been a pleasure for the Hellenic Air Force display team ‘Zeus’ to participate for the first time at RIAT 2015, and a true honour to be awarded the best painted aircraft trophy. See you next year!”
Finally, the top award, the King Hussein Memorial Sword - presented in memory of the late HM King Hussein of Jordan, Patron of the International Air Tattoo (1983-1989) for the Best Overall Flying Demonstration – went to the Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Flypast, led by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The sword was presented by Commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force, Major General Mansour Al Jobour.
The flypast involved private owners as well as pilots from the military, and they were all recognized. Brian Smith of the Old Flying Machine Company was flying one of the oldest Spitfires in the flypast - MH434. He said: “It is the first time, that civilian and military warbirds were meshed together to perform, and everybody pulled together to produce a magnificent spectacle.”
Almost 150,000 people were treated to a spectacular display of aviation from across the globe during the three-day Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford (17-19 July), with highlights including the massed flypast of vintage warbirds to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
On the Friday, this culminated in a special Salute taken by three wartime pilots - Fg Off Ken Wilkinson with Sqn Ldrs Geoffrey Wellum and Tony Pickering – who were joined by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford.
The ever-popular Vulcan XH558 made its final Air Tattoo appearances before it retires at the end of this year. The delta-winged Cold War bomber performed dramatic solo displays followed by joint flypasts with the RAF Red Arrows on Saturday and Sunday. The airshow also hosted the international debut of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force’s Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, which performed in the flying display and attracted significant interest on the ground.
Aviation fans welcomed the Qatar Emiri Air Force Lockheed C-130J Hercules, with the Gulf State becoming the 55th nation to appear at the show, and five aerobatic display teams performed spectacular routines with the Patrouille de France, Patrulla Aguila from Spain, the Swiss PC-7 Team and the Royal Jordanian Falcons joining the Red Arrows in thrilling the crowds.
In total 232 aircraft from 27 air arms representing 22 countries took part in the Air Tattoo. Forty-three military chiefs were represented including Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andy Pulford and Chief of the US Air Force General Mark Welsh III. Industry guests included Marillyn Hewson, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin and Guy Griffiths, Group Managing Director, International, BAE Systems.
Royalty was at the airshow with HRH Prince Michael of Kent, HRH the Duke of Kent and HRH Prince Feisal of Jordan enjoying the event. Celebrities attending included Sir David Jason, an Honorary Vice Patron of the Air Tattoo; former model Jodie Kidd; TV personality Carol Vorderman; comedian Eddie Izzard; Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson; actor Matthew Lewis; and broadcaster Eamonn Holmes.
Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said he was delighted that a large crowd had been treated to one of the most exciting Air Tattoos in recent memory: “The range of aircraft on display both in the air and on the ground has been incredible and we are grateful to all the air arms from around the world that participated and helped make the event such a success.
“As well as providing one of the world’s greatest aviation spectacles, the Air Tattoo plays an important role in support of UK defence diplomacy, and the 2015 airshow once again provided a relaxed yet dynamic meeting place where senior industry figures and military chiefs could come together to celebrate the best of aviation.
“Through our parent charity, the RAF Charitable Trust, one of the primary aims of the Air Tattoo is to promote the Royal Air Force each year and I am pleased that we succeeded in achieving this so effectively over the three-day airshow.”
