Race to get tattoo back on track

Only a few planes scheduled for early arrival made it in the pouring rain

Air traffic controllers are trying to clear a backlog of planes for the Royal International Air Tattoo after bad weather delayed many early arrivals.

Nearly 100 were due to fly in to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Wednesday, but only about 60 made it because of the pouring rain.

More than 300 planes are due to take part in the event this weekend.

Organisers are working to get back on schedule, beginning on Friday with the presentation of the Queen's Colours.

Practice for the Royal fly past on Monday was postponed because of bad weather.

Aircraft operations manager Rob Windsor said: "We're having to look at the rehearsal plot for the flying display guys, as well as then trying to fit all the normal arrival for static display in aswell.

"Everything that can be here will be here and it looks like, according to the Met report, Saturday and Sunday's weather should be OK as well."

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