The Ukrainians have landed

[The Patriot]

The Ukrainians have landed

07-15-2011 12:10 AM

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Fri, 2011-07-15 08:06


The Ukrainians have landed


Heather Joy


feature_story_photo:
Courtesy of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises






The Ukrainians have landed

A pair of aircraft dating from the Cold War era have arrived from the Ukraine to take part in the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire this weekend.

The Russian-built Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker', sporting the spectacular blue camouflage of the Ukrainian Air Force, touched down at RAF Fairford today (Thursday) ready to take its place as one of the stars of the spectacular static display.

Arriving alongside the Flanker was another Russian design, a giant Ilyushin IL-76 transport plane, which will also appear on static display alongside its Western-built counterparts this weekend.

The Flanker is considered to be one of the most potent Russian-built fighters, first developed in the 1970s to counter the US Air Force's new F-15 Eagle. It is often considered to be the best and most successful Russian-built fighter of the Cold War era.

The Ukrainian Air Force made its debut at the event in 1996 and has enjoyed a close relationship with the Air Tattoo ever since.

Alan Smith, Chairman of the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises and the Air Tattoo, said: "We are delighted once more to be welcoming our friends from the Ukrainian Air Force, and we know they will have a great time at the Air Tattoo."

E-tickets are available for both days of the airshow from the Air Tattoo website, www.airtattoo.com. Tickets 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.

Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises








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