IAF Air Warriors steal thunder at UK airshow

New Delhi, July 2: The two-day 'Royal Air Force Waddington International Air Show-2007' over the weekend had an eclectic mix of flying machines -- both military and civil, and vintage as well as modern.

Yet none could take the sheen and glory away from the formidable Sukhoi-30 MKIs of the Indian Air Force who announced their thunderous presence at this annual pilgrimage of aircraft in the UK held over the weekend from Saturday, June 30, reports received here today said.

And -- as if maintaining a studied silence over the goings-on -- an IL-78 MKI fuel-tanker of the IAF stood majestic -- towering over all other aircraft put together at the static display.

The visitors just could not have enough of the two Su-30 MKIs of the IAF's No 30 Squadron (Rhinos) and the giant IL-78 MKI that were on display. Aircrew and aviation enthusiasts were seen busy persuading the IAF Air Warriors to part with their squadron and aircraft badges for keepsake -- and most willingly obliged.

Clearly, the IAF was winning hearts all the way.

Lieutenants Elden and Nordtun, F-16 pilots from the No 331 'Sniper' Squadron -- based in Bodoe, Norway and at RAF Waddington for the air show with their fighter jets -- while interacting with the IAF pilots, queried if the IAF Su-30 MKIs could also visit Norway.

''Wish you could come to Norway... They (Su-30 MKIs) are big and intimidating... Never seen them before'', said the duo visibly impressed.

On learning of the Aero-India shows held at Bangalore, Elden quipped: ''It would be really nice if we were invited to participate... Maybe the IAF could provide us the mid-air refuel support....'' The statement aptly summed up the camaraderie of the inter-mingling aircrew that was clearly evident at the venue.

The static display by the IAF was declared the 'Best Static Display', confirmed Group Captain Girish Saini, leader of the IAF contingent which reached RAF Waddington last week for the Indo-UK joint air exercise 'Indra Dhanush'.

The honour was ''a matter of pride'' considering it was the maiden participation at an International Air Show by the IAF abroad.

There were nearly 100 aircraft of various types at the static display. An estimated gathering of over 40,000 visitors was at the air show when the IAF fighter aircraft's air display flight took place at the air show.

The weather that played truant here for long spells this season, continued to be a spoilsport, denying sunshine and clear blue skies on both days.

The air show schedule on Sunday had to be called-off due to bad weather.

''Due to the recent heavy rain and the forecast of more to come, it is with regret that we have decided to cancel the Air Show today (Sunday, July 1) for reasons of public safety'', the organisers of the air show announced.

But clouds, rains or the overcast sky could hardly dampen the festive atmosphere and high-spirits of the aviation enthusiasts and airmen at the air show.

''But for the weather, the numbers could have been much higher'', informed Flight Lieutenant Sarah Dickson, the Media Communications Officer (MCO) of RAF Waddington airbase.

Even as several participating aircraft carried out aerobatics and other displays, nearly all waited with bated breath for the IAF Su-30 MKI's maiden flypast in the UK.

The 'Rhinos', with their motto - 'Boundless Valour', did not disappoint.

Doubts, if any, were laid to rest as three Su-30 MKIs lined-up on the runway for a staggered 'minute apart' stream take-off, roaring away into the sky shortly after mid-day on the first day of the air show.

A bit later, the formation -- having joined-up in right echelon formation -- flew over the runway at about 500 feet and at a speed of 750 kmph. While two of the air superiority fighters landed after a 'peel-off' manoeuver, a single Su-30 MKI carried out an 'overshoot' before executing a gentle touchdown.

The RAF Waddington International Air Show that began in 1995 has grown to be one of the largest Military air shows and one of the largest events of its type in the UK. The show is famed for it's spectacular flying displays and exhibits. Opening the show, a trio of Britain's most advanced reconnaissance aircraft -- the Sentinel R1, the Nimrod R1 and E-3D Sentry -- that were earlier slated to fly in a formation carried out individual fly pasts.

The visitors also got to see an IAF IL-76 and an IL-78 MKI take-off for Tanagra on their way back to India.

There were displays by a formation of Lynx and Gazelles, and the Chinook helicopters, distinctly identifiable with their tandem -rotating blades.

Other attractions included DC-3 Charter and Twin Pin Charter from the yore, C-130 Hercules (acclaimed RAF workhorses), The 'Blue Eagles' (Army Air Corps Helicopter Display Team flying a mix of Sioux, Gazelle, Lynx and Scout), The 'Black Cats' (The Royal Navy Lynx Display Team), and 'The Blades' (acclaimed as the world's only global aerobatic airline flown by former RAF Red Arrow pilots in the 'Extra 300 LP').

Other attractions included the Swift Glider and Tug, Grob 115E - Tutor (used for Elementary Flying Training in UK), Tucano - T1 (used to train RAF and Royal Navy student pilots and Weapons Systems Operators) , British Hawk, Hawker Siddeley - Hunter, Supermarine Spitfire, FR Aviation - Falcon 20 (used to train UK military pilots by providing realistic electronic warfare threat simulation and target-towing facilities) and Sepecat Jaguar aircraft -- whose active service with the RAF got over only last week.

The RAF 'Red Arrows' aerobatic display team also captivated the audience with their scintillating yet restrained manoeuvers during a 'flat display' -- a display constrained due to limitations of the weather and cloudbase over the airfield.

A Eurofighter Typhoon, a multi-role combat aircraft inducted in the RAF two years back this day, also demonstrated its flight performance in a 'flat display'. The Typhoons were also slated to take part in the 'Exercise Indradhanush-07' being held over RAF Waddington from July 2 to 12. They will operate from their base at RAF Conningsby, nearby.

In a new first, for the RAF's Role Demonstration, Tornado F3s (in air defence role) provided defence counter via combat air patrolling - supported by Hawks in a 'Red Air' role, - the Tornado GR4s (in ground attack role) providing interdiction and close air support, with Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft and Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters demonstrating the tactical insertion of ground forces.

This demonstration was further stimulated by pyrotechnics to simulate bombing and strafing by the three GR4s.

At the Waddington air show this year, a special 'Drumhead Service' to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Falkland Islands conflict also took place. Baroness Margaret Thatcher was among the important dignitaries present at the ceremony.

But sorely missed was the much-anticipated flight of the iconic Vulcan bomber that was based at RAF Wadington before being phased-out in 1984.

In a major project of restoring the 'Vulcan to the sky' (VTST), a team comprising 23 engineers and 18 volunteers was currently restoring the historic bomber at a hangar in Leicestershire in time for the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at Fairford, slated for July 14 and 15.

The IAF's Su-30 MKIs and IL-78 MKI will also participate at RIAT making it two displays in a row in under-a-month, making it an epoch-making participation abroad coinciding with the IAF's 75th Anniversary year.

UNI