Finnish Air Force F/A-18C Hornet displaying an incredible take-off manoeuvre during the first show day of The Royal International Air Tattoo 2025.

3) The entire nose to mid-fuselage section featured this falcon head, and the tail featured its own special tribute to the Pakistan Air Force - which will no doubt feature in a future post!

2) The Pakistan Air Force’s attendance was a super addition to the 2025 show, not only did they bring their JF-17 Thunders and IL-78 ‘Midas’ for static display, they were also joined by the immaculately painted C-130E Hercules!

1) Hats off to one of the most incredible paint schemes given to an aircraft at an Royal International Air Tattoo!

The RAF Typhoon Display hurtling towards the earth and beginning the hard pull-up after cresting a loop. A phenomenal display at The Royal International Air Tattoo, recognised in the awards by winning the Paul Bowen Trophy for the Best Solo Jet performance at RIAT’25.

I’d counteract your point with that many used to say the same when it was f16 after f16, with hindsight many see that now as the glory days. Things will continue to evolve, that’s why for me the arrivals and departures that make up the static display make the show for me.

RAF Typhoon Display Team pilot Squadron Leader Nathan Shawyer going inverted and pulling hard during his display at The Royal International Air Tattoo.

2) Denmark, like many European nations, have already begun moving to the F-35, which will replace the existing F-16 fleet. This follows the trend of other much-loved fast jet demos being phased out, like the Belgian F-16 and Swiss Hornet, with both nations also opting for the F-35.

1) The Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 highlighted the current period of transition of European Air Arms, as the Royal Danish Air Force’s F-16 became the latest demo to perform its last display at a Royal International Air Tattoo.

German Air Force Panavia Tornado ECR moments from touchdown at RAF Fairford, home to The Royal International Air Tattoo.

2) The squadron has a long standing tradition of wearing Bowler Hats, which along with the nickname ‘Madhatters’ has also earned them the more common nickname of ‘Bolars’.

1) United States Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle flares over the ‘piano keys’ on arrival to The Royal International Air Tattoo. The aircraft comes from the 492nd Fighter Squadron based at RAF Lakenheath.

It will never be uncool to look up and see one of these in the overhead - a German Tornado! This example came to The Royal International Air Tattoo for static display from Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33 based at Büchel Air Base.

3) The positioning also helps to avoid FOD damage when operating to and from low grade airstrips such as concrete, pebble, ice and snow aerodromes.

2) The An-74 is a Soviet-era aircraft developed from the An-72 in the 1980’s. The high mounted engines were used to take advantage of the Coandă effect, aiding shorter take-offs and landing.

1) One of the most exciting additions to this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo was the Egyptian Air Force’s (القوات الجوية المصرية EAF) debut, bringing the unique looking An-74T ‘Coaler’ for static display.