This year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) had a touch of the transatlantic about it as the Royal Canadian Air Force marked their 100th birthday at the world-renowned airshow.
Celebrating all things Canada, they had a designated area on the showground, routinely patrolled by their RCAF Centennial mascot Astra, who posed for pictures with visitors.
On Saturday morning crew members, engineers and the RCAF Commander, Lieutenant-General Eric Jean Kenny were presented a birthday cake from RIAT, in recognition of their centenary.
The Canadian’s arrived with a number of different aircraft, including a yellow Kingfisher for the first time which featured alongside other aircraft on their static display, while the CF-188 Hornet, which was in a special paint scheme for this year, took part in the flying display.
RIAT’s Head of Air Operations, Peter Reoch, said “It was a pleasure to host an exciting array of aircraft from our Canadian friends at the show this year, from the huge CC-177 Globemaster to the much smaller Chipmunk, there was something of interest for everyone.
“Friday’s special flypast with the Hornet alongside the RAF Red Arrows was the icing on the cake.”
RAF Fairford is the only place in Europe where the Canadians are recognising their landmark birthday, which has been a theme of this year’s alongside ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’, 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and 50-years of the iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Col Maggie Jacula, RCAF 2024 Campaign Manager said: “It is an absolute honour to be here at RIAT to celebrate the Centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
“We have received such kind hospitality from the RIAT team and the general public who have come to visit our aircraft and crews and to enjoy a bit of Canadiana at the RCAF Centennial Tent.
“It is wonderful to be able to share our Centennial with our British friends.”
Tickets for next year’s show are already on sale via AirTattoo.com.
