SAUDI HAWKS FLY IN FOR FIRST UK DISPLAY
A FLEET of eight display aircraft from the Royal Saudi Air Force has arrived at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on their first-ever trip to the UK.
The Saudi Hawks of 88 Sqn are fast jet trainers, the same aircraft used by the Red Arrows. The Saudi versions sport a green and white stripe design . . . and trail green and white smoke. And they'll be putting on their spectacular display on both days of the Air Tattoo, giving aviation fans their first chance to see the Middle Eastern air aces in action in the UK.
Team leader Lt Col Abdullah Al-Ghamdi said he had been hoping to visit for a while. He explained: "We've been talking about coming here for a couple of years, so it's lovely to have arrived. We organised a lot of things for last year and were about to come but things did not work out. Thankfully we've made it this year, and it's a great experience for everybody."
The journey to the UK saw the team travel via Egypt, Italy and Austria, and they'll take two days to get back to Saudi Arabia with a stop in Lyon, France.
There was no rest for the pilots on arrival, however, with the Hawks taking to the air for a display rehearsal, giving Air Tattoo staff and aviation enthusiasts in Park & View a taste of the dramatic display they'll be performing on both days of the show.
The only thing Lt Col Al-Ghamdi is not completely happy with is our English weather.
"I'm not used to the cloud," he laughs, "and it's 46 degrees back home!"
Tim Prince, Chief Executive of the Air Tattoo, said: "We're delighted to welcome the Saudi Hawks for their first visit to the Air Tattoo and their first UK display. Their visit further cements the friendship between our two countries, and we're especially pleased to welcome them in this, our 40th anniversary year."
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
