Tiger Meet (mini) RAF Fairford 1991 I.A.T.

• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 NTM scheduled for Beja airbase in Portugal, and the cancellation of the World's most significant military airshow at Fairford in the United Kingdom, I thought this was an appropriate post.

• RAF Fairford and the International Air Tattoo hosted a mini Tiger meet twenty-nine years ago. This may be an appropriate time to look back on happier days!  

The hosts were 74 (F) Squadron Royal Airforce.

They deployed to Fairford with seven Phantom FGR2s from their home base at RAF Wattisham, much further east across the UK.

J-004 and J-012 are both F-16A's of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The previous year had seen 313Sqn based at Twente Airbase change its squadron badge to focus on the Tiger and become an NTA member in October 1990.   

Another keystone member attending Fairford was the Belgian Airforces 31squadron (Tigers), with their F-16As

The 53rd FS USAF came from the 36th TFW based at Bitburg in Germany with their F-15C/Ds, which they had been flying variants of since 1977 when the Eagles had replaced their  F-4E Phantoms.
   

EC-12  of the French Airforce arrived with their Mirage F-1C, 16/12-YH being their specially marked aircraft.

Mirage F-1C, 5/12-YQ FAF.

In 1968, we saw the creation of 502 squadrons 'Jaguares' at Nacala, Mozambique (airbase 5) with their G-91s.

As the Portuguese retired from Africa, the Ginos were seen replacing the Republic F-84 Gs at Montijo airbase South of Lisbon and forming 62 Squadron. This was further imposed by the arrival of 202 (Escorpiões) from Tete and 502 Squadron (Jaguares).

That period marked the beginning of today's 'Jaguares' name and patch. In 1978, they became the 301 Esq.

They have gone on to win the Silver Trophy both in 1980/1985.

439 Fighter Bomber Squadron was formed on the 31st of December 1947 at Wellingore, England. These guys spent the Second World War moving their base on many occasions across Europe.
They returned to RAF Luffenham in the UK following the war before departing to France.
From France, they moved again, this time to Lahr in West Germany. Their final European base came in 1971 when they transferred to CFB Baden-Soellingen, operating the CF-104. In 1985, a change of aircraft saw them commence operations with the CF-118.
Sadly, they disbanded in Europe in 1993 and returned to Canada.

Consistently strong in the enthusiasm of their Tiger squadron's specially adorned aircraft.

Tornado GR1A ZG714/H 13 Sqn RAF also present was ZG726/K.

The Royal Navy Flying Tigers.
During 1938, they were operating with Swordfish, followed by various aircraft types, including the Firefly, Avenger and Gannets.
In 1960, they transitioned to helicopters, firstly the Whirlwind, followed by the Wessex.
By 1970, they operated the Seaking helicopter with its airborne passive sonar role capability.

1 Letka (CskAF) was welcome as an external participant with their Mig 29 Fulcrums.

Tiger tails.

In 1970, the 79th switched bases, arriving at RAF Upper Heyford and converting to the F-111E.
January 1991 witnessed them at Incirlik AB in Turkey taking part in "Proven Force", a joint task force supporting "Desert Storm." The "Loco squadron flew two hundred and three missions without losses.

The 79th FS was inactivated in 1993 and reactivated at Shaw Airbase South Carolina in January 1994.

MM6764/53-04 F-104S ItAF.

The 21st Squadron has a long history dating back to 1918. As a Tiger Squadron, it was in 1968 that they reached the prestigious status of NATO Tiger member with their F-104s.
As a footnote, they flew a staggering 82,000 hours with the "Starfighter."

In 1962, the 79th TFS at RAF Woodbridge invited all NATO Tiger squadrons to participate in the then-newly formed Tiger Meet.
Although JaBoG 43/1's squadron symbol was clearly a Fox, the pilots decided to bluff that it was actually a mysterious "Bavarian Tiger", and to underline this, their motto became
"Believe it or not, this is a tiger."
By 1980, their G-91s were being transferred to the Portuguese Air Force, and they received the new Alpha jet. The pilots considered this an inferior aircraft, but they were always impressed with their flying skills.
Unfortunately, 1992 saw the disbandment of JaBoG 43.

They participated at Fairford with Alpa Jets  40+57 and 41+63.

65-5911/9-911 TF-104G TuAF ex 27+82 WGAF.

"Also has to be one of the best-looking aircraft ever built".

No other aircraft could match the sound emitted as they were downwind for landing.

A Tiger on their patch since 1950, 1980 192 squadrons became a NATO Tiger member with their squadron F-104Gs. They also became a NATO " all-weather" squadron assigned to the NATO command. March 1993 saw them transition to the F-16C/D at Balikesir airbase. 

GI-312 of the French airforce based at Mont-Marsan bought 4 CM-170R Magisters, 572/ 312-AD, 509/312-AC, 529/312-AX and 544/312-TM.

142 Squadron of ALA 14 emerged in 1980 with the delivery of the Mirage F1 fighters to the Los Llanos airbase close to Albacete. They became a member of the NTA while participating in the 1986 Nato Tiger meet at BA103 Cambrai in France.
   

The 1 Letka (CskAF) supported the meeting with Mig-29's 5616 and 7501 and their L-39ZA's 2430 and 2436.
They also arrived with Mig-23ML 4644 from 2 Letka, all supported by AN-12 2105 from 1 DROPRAVNI  and TU-134A 1407 3 DROPRAVNI.

572/312-AD CM-170R GI-312 FAF seen departing Fairford.

572/312-AD CM-170R GI-312 FAF

544/312-TM CM-170R GI-312 FAF.

A sight that would not be repeated again as the three CM-170R Magisters of the French airforce depart from the Mini NTM, 

544, 312-TM, GI-312 FAF showing the spirited Tiger spirit.

  

336 Sqn RNorAF depart home with F-5As 132, 222, and 909 F-5B.

222,132 of 336 Sqn. RNorAF.

Previously observers only at NATO Tiger Meets, 1991 saw Fliegerstaffel 11 become a full member with their F-5Es. Three aircraft arrived. I remember they were late and were parked all weekend outside the hangar area at Fairford. It was certainly great to see them; it was just a shame that no one aircraft carried individual 'Tiger' marks.

63-7037/9-037 f-104G 192 Filo departig the 1991 Tiger meet.

65-5911/9-911 TF-104G heading home on Monday morning.

Flottille 11F of the French Navy is the oldest and most prestigious Squadron of the French Marine Nationale.

In 1967, they departed their base at Hyeres in southern France for Landivisiau in northern France, which is still home to them today. In 1978, they said goodbye to the "Etendard" and commenced missions on the "Super Etendard."
Their Tiger heritage is quite different and certainly well-earned. The "Clemenceau" aircraft carrier held the Tiger crest from which they were assigned in 1960.
When the "Clemenceau" aircraft carrier was retired in 1997, they were allowed to keep their NTA status.
"Having shown true Tiger spirit."

MM6764/53-04 F-104S departing for home.

2436 (232436) 1SQN 11W seen departing RAF Fairford.

The hosts 74 (F) Squadron RAF with their Phantom FGR.2s  line up to depart.

Number 74 (F) Squadron operated fighter aircraft from 1917 to the 1990s and became an NTM member from 1961 when it joined the  B2 Super Mystéres of EC1/12 French airforce at RAF Woodbridge with its hosts 79TFS USAF with their F-100 Super Sabres. 

Number 74 (F) Squadron operated an aerobatic team between 1962 and 1963 with Lighting F.1s. The nine jets named the "Tigers" made them the World's first Mach two team.

Here, Phantom FGR.2 XT895/Q departs for its home base.

"Tiger Tiger"