TIGERS ROAR AT FAIRFORD
THIS weekend's Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire is hosting a gathering of Tigers, but not of the feline variety.
The Tigers gathering at the Gloucestershire Base are a collection of aircraft celebrating the airshow's close relationship with the NATO Tiger Association (NTA) which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its Tiger Meet this year. Each Meet features a colourful range of specially-decorated aircraft, from NATO squadrons that have a tiger or big cat in their emblem.
Col Don Verhees (retired), senior advisor to the NATO Tiger Association, said: "Our two organisations have long enjoyed a close relationship, and the airshow has hosted several meets over the years when we have not been in a position to."
He added: "The tiger-schemed aircraft reflect our strong Tiger spirit, rather like a football team which wears its team colours, and we are fortunate to have a lot of Tiger fans who like seeing the aircraft too."
To mark their Tiger heritage, the squadrons usually paint one or more of their aircraft in a new scheme every year. The paint schemes range from the subdued to the spectacular and those attending this year's show are no exception.
The Germans have brought two Tiger Tornadoes, one with the feline's face emblazoned across the topside of the wings, while the French Air Force, who hosted the most recent Tiger Meet, just over the Channel at Cambrai, brought a Mirage 2000 with a more artistic Tiger design.
The aircraft have been positioned at the Western end of the airfield near the Green car parks where they can be snapped by the Air Tattoo's Tiger fans.
Tiger 50 is one of the themes of this year's Air Tattoo along with the events own 40th anniversary celebrations and the operational theme of STAR 11 focusing on aircraft and equipment involved in the roles of Strike and Reconnaissance.
Tickets for today's airshow 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 17, 2011
