
The flying programme was packed: seven and a half hours of it, all enthralling. RIAT always provides a chance to see both unusual aircraft and unusual combinations of aircraft, and we were not disappointed. There was a Gloster Meteor - I've never seen one fly before, although its distinctive shape was familiar from museums and models. Continuing the Jet Age theme, a Canberra in the static park had flown in that morning, having gained its certificate of airworthiness just a couple of days previously; I look forward to seeing it display next year.

Plenty of treats for those who, like me, appreciate a good canard foreplane, with a French Dassault Rafale, Swedish and Hungarian Gripens, and Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK and Italy. These last took off in quick succession, punching into the cloud at a steep angle with afterburners blazing, and later gave us a little in-flight refuelling demonstration. Superb.
The weather wasn't quite as scorching as I'd hoped, with some cloud cover, and there were times when I was too cold in my shorts and sandals. But after the last few years, when waterproof trousers have been the norm and the display has been disrupted or even cancelled due to poor conditions, I wasn't going to complain.

