RIAT 2013. Five days having my ribs rattled by fast lets. Fairford this year really showed the effects of the continuing economic difficulties throughout the world, with the consequent downsizing of air forces resulting in smaller numbers and less variety of aircraft than previously. The biggest reflection of this derives from the budget problems in the US which have led to the process of sequestration, meaning that no American aircraft from either the US Air Force or Navy have been made available this summer. In the past, we've had big ticket items from them such as B-52, B-1, F-117 or F-22 at Fairford, but not this year. But a good turnout of fast jets at Fairford made up for that, for the most part. Hot weather and mostly blue skies gave an excellent yield of pictures.