RIAT 2018 Review
24th October 2018
The UK's Royal Air Force was formed 100 years ago and as such is one of the world's oldest air forces. This year's Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford celebrated that with an extensive flying display, featuring machines from that earliest time (albeit replicas) to the latest technology that is only just entering service. A number of aircraft from foreign air forces also paid tribute with special paint jobs on their aircraft.
An F35-A Lightning II from the US Air Force on reheat
The summer of 2018 had exceptional weather and the three days of RIAT benefited from that, with excellent flying conditions and fine blue skies for photography. There are downsides, however. The harsh sun can cause problems with deep shadows, from a photographic point of view, but it's not a big issue with careful image processing. Plenty of sunblock and fluid to keep hydrated are very important. Given the fying programme alone lasted something like eight hours, then add on time to look around the ground displays, it's a long day. But worth it.
It's not possible to see everything in one day, which is what most people take for a visit. There are large numbers of static aircraft not to mention activities and shows. It's interesting from a people point of view too, as there are characters in abundance. It's difficult to capture the moments with so many people around so you miss many more than you get. Having said that, there was plenty of room to find a spot in which to sit and watch the flying.
A nice thing about RIAT, and indeed any other show where the aircraft take off and land during the display, is that it's possible to get quite close views of them as the main flying display takes place further from the crowd line than the runway. Particularly impressive are the aerobatic teams that take off in groups in close formation. Photograph the takeoffs, then sit back and enjoy the displays.
An issue with shooting ground to air is that the underside of the aircraft feature heavily. Unless the aircraft in question is displaying its undercarriage or open bomb bay for example, this isn't an attractive view. That's another reason for being able to photograph takeoffs and landings as you're on a much more eqaul level with the aircraft. Some pilots make lower level passes and some even tilt somewhat so we can see the upper surfaces. That's not only better for taking more interesting pictures but also more enjoyable for the spectators.
Highlight of the show? Difficult to say, as there were lots of highlights in their own way, but perhaps the Sukhoi Su-27 because (as well as missing it last year) it gave a super display at the end of the day and looked great as it was blue against a blue sky.
More images can be found in the RIAT 2018 gallery.
An F35-A Lightning II
A Sukhoi Su-27
All text and images © Keith Rowley 2018
An F35-A Lightning II from the US Air Force on reheat
The summer of 2018 had exceptional weather and the three days of RIAT benefited from that, with excellent flying conditions and fine blue skies for photography. There are downsides, however. The harsh sun can cause problems with deep shadows, from a photographic point of view, but it's not a big issue with careful image processing. Plenty of sunblock and fluid to keep hydrated are very important. Given the fying programme alone lasted something like eight hours, then add on time to look around the ground displays, it's a long day. But worth it.
It's not possible to see everything in one day, which is what most people take for a visit. There are large numbers of static aircraft not to mention activities and shows. It's interesting from a people point of view too, as there are characters in abundance. It's difficult to capture the moments with so many people around so you miss many more than you get. Having said that, there was plenty of room to find a spot in which to sit and watch the flying.
A nice thing about RIAT, and indeed any other show where the aircraft take off and land during the display, is that it's possible to get quite close views of them as the main flying display takes place further from the crowd line than the runway. Particularly impressive are the aerobatic teams that take off in groups in close formation. Photograph the takeoffs, then sit back and enjoy the displays.
An issue with shooting ground to air is that the underside of the aircraft feature heavily. Unless the aircraft in question is displaying its undercarriage or open bomb bay for example, this isn't an attractive view. That's another reason for being able to photograph takeoffs and landings as you're on a much more eqaul level with the aircraft. Some pilots make lower level passes and some even tilt somewhat so we can see the upper surfaces. That's not only better for taking more interesting pictures but also more enjoyable for the spectators.
Highlight of the show? Difficult to say, as there were lots of highlights in their own way, but perhaps the Sukhoi Su-27 because (as well as missing it last year) it gave a super display at the end of the day and looked great as it was blue against a blue sky.
More images can be found in the RIAT 2018 gallery.
An F35-A Lightning II
A Sukhoi Su-27
All text and images © Keith Rowley 2018