FREE TO MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS. Teas and coffes from 18:00. The lecture starts at 18:30
Inspired by Squadron Leader Jack Currie DFC RAF, a small team of volunteers staged an air show at North Weald Aerodrome in 1971 in support of the Royal Air Forces Association. To ensure that it would stand out from the numerous other annual air shows in the UK, they called it the 'Air Tattoo'. It was a success with the participating aircrews enjoying the energy and enthusiasm of the volunteers, the spectating public happy with the exciting flying with aircraft from far and wide and RAFA enjoying a helpful income from the proceeds. It is now the 'Royal International Air Tattoo' and plays an important role for UK Defence Diplomacy and in STEM/Recruiting. RIAT is in its 52nd year and is now staged in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. Tim Prince who has been a part of the RIAT story since 1971 shares some of the background to this important annual gathering of the World's military aviators.
