Take off for the aviation thrill zone (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Take off for the aviation thrill zone

The world's best pilots are set to go vertical for eight non-stop hours of sensational flying as the Royal International Air Tattoo 2002 celebrates the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

After two years away, the tattoo is making a big comeback to RAF Fairford - 450 aircraft, hot air balloons, stalls, exhibits, road shows and virtual reality rides. This is the show that tops the bill for family entertainment.

Crowds at last year's tattoo.

Golden Jubilee

To mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Air Force Red Arrows will give a superstar performance, soaring into a special routine dedicated to Her Majesty.

And the show will open with an all-British flypast of Hunter, Harrier, Nimrod and Tornado aircraft together with the 21st century Eurofighter, to symbolise the five decades of her reign.

At the end of flying, airshow visitors are invited to a Jubilee Proms Concert hosted by radio personality Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart.

Trestle tables, bunting, union jacks, party hats and community singing will recreate the street party atmosphere of the Queen's coronation in 1953, with top-flight entertainment from RAF and US military bands and singers.

A French Air Force Jaguar landing at Fairford

Stars of the show

Demonstrating perfect symmetry between man and machine, the RIAT flying display is a showcase for the world's Top Guns.

Tattoo visitors will take a front row seat for the aviation supershow - sizzling solo jet routines, gravity-defying helicopter manoeuvres, astounding aerobatic teams, massed flypasts, airborne set-pieces and the enduring magic of the Spitfire and other vintage aeroplanes.

A United States Air Force B1-B

Salute to bomber crews

RIAT 2002 will pay tribute to bomber crews from all nations, past and present, both in the air and on the ground. An awesome array of aircraft will see Russian-built bombers lining up alongside United States Air Force B-52s, B1-Bs and Stealth aircraft.

It is also hoped that a mighty Vulcan bomber, in her heyday one of the West's most potent Cold War forces, will be restored in time to make a triumphant appearance at the tattoo.

To remember the bomber crews who will never return, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster, the world's only flying Blenheim and a rare B-17 Flying Fortress, will perform a memorial flypast watched by wartime campaigners, visiting aircrew and tens of thousands of airshow visitors.

The Flying Fortress, star of the feature film Memphis Belle, will represent the United States' Eighth Air Force on its 60th anniversary.

Weird and wonderful balloons will be on display

Tattoo timetable

The public gates to RAF Fairford open at 7.30am on Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21. Flying display from 10am-6pm followed by the Jubilee Proms Concert.

Tattoo tickets

Adults in advance £24.95, on the day £30. Children under 16 free.

Tickets are available from the Standard office at 74 Dyer Street, Cirencester, between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Fridays. The Standard is one of the event's media sponsors.

www.thisiscirencester.com.Keep an eye on this site for regular updates and tattoo news. You can also check the local weather and traffic situation on the days if are going to the event by logging on to thisiscirencester.com