RIAT 2023: Messerschmitt Me262 lands at RAF Fairford

The Messerschmitt Foundation Me262 replica flew alongside a Spitfire AB910 on Wednesday morning ahead of its arrival to the Royal International Air Tattoo.

Heralded as the world’s largest military air show, the event will take place between July 14 and 16 at RAF Fairford across the border in Gloucestershire. 

The Me262 is well known for its role in the Second World War and is preparing for its first outing on display at a UK airshow.

Organisers of the show previously announced that the Messerschmitt Me262 will be participating in this year’s flying display, across both the Saturday and Sunday.

This morning OC BBMF flew out in Spitfire AB910 to greet the @Airbus Messerschmitt Foundation Me262 replica ahead of its arrival to RIAT. The Me262 and our spitfire took part in an air to air photography shoot to mark the rare occasion of these two aircraft types flying together! pic.twitter.com/zCbQjy2PA4

— RAF BBMF (@RAFBBMF) July 12, 2023

The aircraft holds special significance as the first operational jet-powered fighter in aviation history. 

Peter Reochh, head of air operations at the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises, said seeing the Me262 take to the skies will be one of the flying display highlights at this year’s show:

“Visitors to the Air Tattoo are used to seeing the power and agility of modern jet aircraft such as the Typhoon and Gripen in our flying display, so we’re excited to be able to show them something very different with the Me262.”