Royal International Air Tattoo 2010 - Press Release
Royal International Air Tattoo 2010 - Press Release
NELL KICKS OFF AIR TATTOO LAUNCH
FORGET Peter Crouch! When it comes to a display of aerial firepower there's only one team to turn to . . . the Royal Air Force.
And three of the RAF's Top-Gun aircraft were joined by Forces' Sweetheart Nell McAndrew when she touched down at the US Air Force Base at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire for the launch of this summer's Royal International Air Tattoo.
The RAF's most potent front-line fighter, the Typhoon, faced off against its US counterpart, the F-15, as Nell donned an England shirt to kick-off both the launch of the airshow . . . and England's chance of victory over the USA in their opening match of the World Cup campaign, at Rustenburg, South Africa, on Saturday.
Top model Nell, who's been named the 'Forces' Sweetheart' for her morale-boosting work in visiting troops, said: “I was at the Air Tattoo launch five years ago and I must have done something right as they've asked me back.
“I'm delighted to support anything connected with the Forces' charities, and I'm especially happy to be at the Air Tattoo launch. My family told me what a special day out the airshow is, for all the family, so I'm glad to play my part in helping with the launch.”
Two top pilots - Capt Calvin 'Quake' Peterson from the USAF and the RAF's Flt Lt Jim 'Woody' Woodward - joined in the spirit of the event by posing with Nell in front of three of the RAF's formidable strikers – the Typhoon, Tornado and Harrier.
Along with most of the country, Nell will be watching the match on Saturday. She said: “I'm not a huge fan but I'll be watching England play. As an event, the World Cup lifts the spirit of everyone in the country, and I really want our team to do well.”
· This year's Air Tattoo takes place from July 17 to 18 at RAF Fairford, when more than 160,000 visitors are expected to view around 300 aircraft from across the world.
· The event is staged in support of its parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, which provides financial support to a wide variety of RAF-related projects and initiatives within the RAF family. Since 2005 it has gifted over £1.3 million to worthy causes.
