Red Noses

A line=up of Red Arrows' Hawks.

We are at RIAT 2014, Fairford (Glos). The Air Tattoo is the world's largest military airshow and is held annually in support of the RAF Charitable Trust.

This Friday extravaganza is a new venture, essentially adding one day to the show. This is an extra pit stop as part of the RAF's official celebrations marking the Red Arrows' 50th display season.

Up to 10,000 special Pit Day tickets are being made available for Friday, July 11 offering exclusive access to the world famous aerobatic display team and their aircraft. The Red Arrows' Pit Day will also enable visitors to watch aircraft arrivals and rehearsals in the morning and enjoy a four-hour flying display in the afternoon including the debut of a special Red Arrows' formation flypast.

Other Pit Day benefits include access to Showground East Red Zone (10am to 6pm), the Red Arrows Village and Vintage Village, the BAE Systems' Hawk and F-16 Anniversary Park plus close access to other international aerobatic teams and their aircraft - with more exciting themed activities to be announced.

The Red Arrows began life at RAF Fairford in March 1965, performing their first display at Little Rissington in the Cotswolds later that year. Since then, they have performed more than 4,500 displays in 54 different countries.

Spokesman Richard Arquati said: "If you love the Red Arrows then the Royal International Air Tattoo is the place to be in summer 2014 as we host the biggest birthday celebration for the team in the UK."

The day was a fabulous summer's day, perfect for an airshow. Before the flying began, we were able to walk amongst the rows of aircraft belonging to superb formation teams. Not only did we find the Red AArows, but also the Frecce Trecolori, the Patrouille Suisse, the Patrouille Suisse, and the Breitling display team.

Rather than a verbal description blow-by-blow, it will probably be more interesting and attractive to show my selection of photographs for the day. I shall have another set for Sunday, so please look for my entry for 13 July.

As well as celebrating the Reds' 50th display season, the Air Tattoo will be marking the 40th anniversary of two other aviation landmarks: the 40th anniversary of both the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon and the BAE Systems Hawk, the aircraft currently flown by the Red Arrows.