RIAT 22, Anyone going?

[Minibiker]

Hi all

Just thought I'd post on here to see if anyone is going to the Air Tattoo at Fairford this weekend?

Or if anyone is going near Fairford and can recommend a good spot for me and my little boy to spend the day watching any aircraft fly over and get some pics?

Cheers

 

[Minibiker]

If you are not paying to get in, you can just sit in the car park, or along the verge of that access road
However, it does mean having to get there by car and the queues can be really bad esp first thing - last time I went, I drove into Swindon to get the bus from the bus station because of the convenience, and I lived in Stanton Fitzwarren
Having lived in Highworth as well, you can't see much from there either - it' just a bit too far away, plenty flying over, but you are only getting glimpses
You'll find that any of the closer villages around Fairford will be swamped with folks dumping their cars and setting up camp
Given how hot it's going to be this weekend, you may want to think about how exposed you may be if you are sitting in some village

I was thinking Highworth but now you say you don't see much that's out the window... Can only imagine how much traffic will be in and around Fairford so maybe I'll have to give it a miss, don't want my little one getting to much sun

 

[Minibiker]

Yep - 2 hours to get to Fairford and 40 mins to do the last 1 or 2 miles

Some folks park up in Stanton Park and cycle to Kempsford (or near enough) via Hannington. Once you are through Hannington it's all very flat. Not much cover though

That's a good shout, we could head out through Hannington to kempsford... Stop in the jolly tar pub on the way to.

 

[Minibiker]

Change of plans last minute and went to one of the local park and views - £20 for the day and arguably got a better view of a lot of the aircraft as the reposition over the top to intercept the runway.

Some great footage there bud, good job... Sounds like a right bargain there, where is that campsite I'll consider that for future RIAT's...

 

[Minibiker]

It’s called Totterdown Hill campsite - Google maps will show it right outside the wire to Fairford and on the 45 degree approach to the runway that a lot of jets will use. Some people cap out for the week with full on tents, gazebos and BBQ’s and they have burger and ice cream vans there.
I’ll be getting myself a proper video camera for it next time…

Looks like a very good spot, did you need to get there early or was there plenty of space?

Cheers

 

[Minibiker]

Was nice to see the Lancaster and 2 spitfires go over our house on the weekend, I've never seen the Lancaster in person, it's actually pretty big, or those spitfires are tiny... The sound is amazing though