The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, attracted a sell-out crowd of 140,000. This year there was a slightly different format with a Red Arrows' Pit Day organised for the Friday (July 11) to mark the RAF team's 50th display season. The idea enabled people to get closer to the Red Arrows as well as some other teams. Access was also made available to part of the Showground and in the morning ticket-holders were able to watch aircraft arrivals. There was also a flying display from 13:00 to 17:00, the highlight of which was a flypast by the Red Arrows accompanied by the team leaders' aircraft from each of the Patrouille de France, Frecce Tricolori, Breitling Jet Team and Patrouille Suisse. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated overseas debut of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II didn't happen due to the fleet being temporarily grounded after an engine fire on a USAF example on June 23. It was also noticeable that the effects of sequestration on the US military are still taking a toll, as its participation was limited to an F-15E Strike Eagle and KC-135R Stratotanker from Lakenheath and Mildenhall respectively. The US Navy was represented by a P-8A Poseidon making the type's RIAT debut, and an F/A-18F Super Hornet. This VFA-106 aircraft was only displayed on the Saturday and was being demonstrated by Boeing.
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