PARK-AND-VIEW SNAP FIRST SHOTS
AVIATION enthusiasts and photographers, young and old, arrived early today (Wednesday) to watch the first aircraft fly in to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.
Excitement is already building for this weekend's airshow, with scores of people lining the park-and-view sites around the Base hoping to catch the perfect shot.
Among them was three-year-old Daniel Brevitt, who was looking forward to seeing the Red Arrows. Daniel had travelled from Cannock, Staffordshire, with his dad Andy, mother Tina and sister Megan, aged five.
"We come here every year," said Tina. "My husband has been coming for years because he has always been interested in aviation, and I've been for about eight years. I just like the atmosphere and to take photos of the aircraft, plus the children love it."
At the west end of the airfield, groups of spectators and photographers gathered to watch the eight fast-jet trainers of the Saudi Hawks display team touch down.
Mick Freer, 68, of Evesham, Worcestershire, spoke about his dedication to the airshow. "I've been to every one except the first one," he said. "It's a love of aircraft basically and the camaraderie that brings me back."
Also keeping an eye out at the park-and-view was young photographer Heather Jones, 12, from Castle Donnington, whose images have won such high acclaim that they were used in the airshow's official calendar in 2010.
She was there with her younger sister Sadie, seven, and dad Stuart, 49. Stuart said: "Heather's been coming here since she was three weeks old, but this is the first time for Sadie. They're both interested in taking photographs and looking back at them. They take brilliant photos, and I'm really proud of them."
E-tickets are available for both days of the airshow here.
Tickets will not be available at the gate but can still be bought, subject to availability, at branches of Barclays Bank, Little Chefs and at Tourist Information Centres.
July 13, 2011
