The 20 Year Throwback: RIAT 2006
Wait, what — RIAT 2006 was 20 years ago? That’s a rather scary thought.
’06 will forever be a RIAT I’ll look back on fondly, as it was my first as a FRIAT member. As an enthusiastic, energetic 18‑year‑old, a week in the Cotswolds was a huge deal. It was my first taste of full‑scale, aviation‑focused travel, having previously only been fortunate enough to manage day trips to UK bases or airshows. Accompanied by two similarly enthusiastic mates, being based out of Swindon’s painfully overpriced Travelodge for an entire week was the ultimate lads’ holiday.
Queuing early doors at the gates for Park & View East (go easy on us — we were young, and it took a few years to realise that West Is Best!), anticipation built quickly under gloriously clear Cotswold skies. Having never attended an arrivals day before, picking up a daily movements sheet (more colloquially known as a “sheet of lies”!) revealed that a USAF B‑52 would kick things off in style. Also noted were a pair of Hellenic Air Force A‑7 Corsairs and a pair of Turkish Air Force Phantoms — strong highlights for a first arrivals day.
As if that wasn’t a strong enough introduction to the week long pilgrimage, we soon discovered the American BBQ in the Park & View enclosure — wet burgers or hot links for £1. Oh, and as much Mountain Dew as you could handle. We were very much in our element.
Exotica from further afield arrived on the Thursday. My personal highlight came courtesy of the Royal Australian Air Force, who made a welcome static appearance with Boeing 707‑368C A20‑261. The jet had made the long journey from RAAF Richmond just weeks before its withdrawal from service. The Royal Malaysian Air Force also returned to the Air Tattoo, this time with a CASA CN‑235‑220M M44-03, having only previously attended twice — in 1994 and 1996.
For us youngsters, two stand‑out flying display items completely blew us away. Both sat firmly at opposite ends of the jet solo display scale. From RSK MiG came the MiG‑29M‑OVT prototype, which demonstrated its thrust‑vectoring capability to devastating effect. Even 20 years on, some enthusiasts still regard it as the single best Air Tattoo flying display ever. From the Royal Air Force came a very welcome flying appearance by a Canberra PR9, marking the end of its 55 years in service. Flown by Sqn Ldr Terry Cairns, the 1959‑built jet delivered a surprisingly energetic routine, including two rolls, earning huge appreciation from those in the FRIAT grandstand. Credit must go to 39 Squadron and everyone involved in getting the Canberra back on the display circuit in 2006 (it also appeared at Waddington International Airshow and Marham’s families day). Too often, military aircraft bow out without a proper public farewell.
Among our small friend group, one pilot gained near‑mythical status: Ricardo Traven. The Boeing test pilot had flown the Super Hornet at RIAT ’04 in a stunning CAG jet, and thankfully returned in 2006 with another absolutely stonking display — one that truly deserved silverware but sadly the Boeing pilot went home (or on to Farnborough) empty handed.
Looking back at this era, it’s striking how many aircraft types we took for granted. I really wish I’d made more effort to capture better images (always shoot RAW, guys!) of the Dutch F‑16 solo display, or even the humble Hawk T1s and Dominie T1s. That perspective is important today — make the most of what’s in front of you, or you’ll regret it later. Funnily enough, the USAF F‑15C West Coast Demo Team almost falls into that bracket. At the time, I don’t remember being especially hyped — dozens of Eagles were based just down the road from my Essex home. Nowadays, though, any USAF ACC demo would be a headline act at almost any UK or European show.
Attending RIAT for the full week really lets you immerse yourself in the event — something day visitors rarely get to do. We made the most of it, exploring the vast static park and doing our best to blag access to as many visiting aircraft as possible. We were desperate to get onboard QinetiQ Andover C1PR XS596, making a rare public appearance in the twilight of its career, but sadly that one evaded us.
So there we have it — 2006, what a year. A perfect mix of week‑long sunshine, world‑class fast‑jet displays, legendary American food, and the sheer scale of the event ignited a love for the Air Tattoo that still burns fiercely today. Here’s to the next 20.
