UK airshows

RAF 100: that’s the overriding theme in 2018, and understandably so. The Royal Air Force is throwing its weight behind three air displays, each of them offering a different take on the service’s centenary. We detail the RAF Cosford Air Show and the Royal International Air Tattoo in our separate Event Focus items; suffice to say that both promise to be quite exceptional. Cosford will have an unrivalled 100-aircraft static line-up covering the whole gamut of RAF history, including many machines not seen in an airshow static park for many a year. Meanwhile, RIAT – the official international celebration – is becoming a full three-day show for the first time and incorporating a Royal Review of the RAF as part of proceedings on the Friday. These aside, the RAF has decided to offer extra support to IWM Duxford’s Battle of Britain Air Show in September, this warbird-orientated affair having been among last year’s highlights.