Eurofighter steals the show

The highlight of Day 2 at the Farnborough International Airshow was undoubtedly the thrilling aerobatics display flown by a 4-ship Eurofighter Typhoon team to mark the delivery into service of the RAF's first Typhoon – the name selected for all RAF variants of the world's most advanced swing-role combat aircraft.

Flying in a 4-ship, the Eurofighter aircraft stormed down the line of the runway at 500 ft in a box formation before breaking out into a series of high g turns, rolls and tight loops – more commonly performed by specialist display teams such as the RAF's Red Arrows.

Day 2 at Farnborough was the moment when Eurofighter Typhoon stole the show with an impressive display of the aircraft's high agility and carefree handling characteristics. The impact on the watching crowds and assembled mass media was tangible. It was as if the Farnborough airshow organisers, SBAC, had got it completely wrong and everyone had in fact turned up for the 'Eurofighter Airshow'.

One seasoned Farnborough visitor was even heard to say, "Well that should put a sock into JSF and all that razzmatazz".

A jocular remark perhaps but for all the men and women who have been closely involved in the Eurofighter Typhoon development programme since the maiden flight of DA1 in March 1994, today's spectacular was certainly a moment to enjoy and celebrate the first delivery to one of the Partner airforces.

Following the flying display, Test Pilot Craig Penrice had the honour of handing over the 'keys' of the RAF's first Typhoon to UK's Defence Secretary, the Rt Hon Geoffrey Hoon, who was also accompanied by UK's Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire - pictured opposite with Wing Commander Charlie Chan RAF [left] and Test Pilot Craig Penrice [right].

Also present at the Naming Ceremony were serving air chiefs, senior officers and programme managers from Germany, Italy and Spain.

With 64 aircraft currently in the production chain, UK has on order 232 aircraft, whilst the other partner nations have elected for 180 (Germany), 121 (Italy) and 87 (Spain).

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