ENTHUSIASTS and residents alike have been savouring the arrivals of aircraft from around the world at RAF Fairford for the Royal International Air Tattoo, which gets under way tomorrow.

Around 40 aircraft touched down at the airfield on Wednesday ahead of appearances at the airshow's extensive static park or flying displays planned until Sunday.

Among those generating interest from aircraft enthusiasts and the media were two Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.

"The P-1s have flown half-way around the world to make their international debut at RAF Fairford, and the pilots performed their first flying display rehearsals yesterday following their arrival on Tuesday," said a RIAT spokesman.

"Joining them were a pair of Eastern Bloc-built aircraft from the Polish armed forces, part of a large Polish contingent due to be present at the show.

"From the Polish Navy was the unusually shaped Mi-14 Haze helicopter. Usually tasked with anti-submarine warfare, the Haze features a boat hull-shaped fuselage allowing it to land in the water.

"Their colleagues from the Polish Air Force brought the noisier and considerably faster Sukhoi Su-22 Fitter with its distinctive nose and swing-wing configuration.

"Other Eastern Bloc designs appearing at the show include a pair of Russian-built Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters from the Czech Republic, one of them in a special colour scheme, tieing in with the Air Tattoo’s commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

"The aircraft is painted in the white and grey colours of a Second World War B-24 Liberator bomber, flown by Czech pilots as part of the Royal Air Force’s Coastal Command organisation."

A debut is also in store for the Hellenic Air Force’s F-16 demo team, flying an aircraft named after the father of the Olympian gods, Zeus, which has touched down.

The Zeus solo jet display, emblazoned with a tail-fin design of the Greek god complete with lightning bolts, is set to provide one of the highlights of the flying display, with Captain Sotirios Stralis putting the F-16 through its paces.

The display is being provided by 115 Combat Wing based at Souda Bay on Crete.

Air Tattoo chief executive, Andy Armstrong, said: “We are honoured to be able to present Zeus to a British audience for the first time.

"The F-16 has always been an outstanding display aircraft, and I am sure Capt Sotirios will demonstrate its attributes to the full at RIAT 2015. Our thanks go to the Hellenic Air Force for agreeing to participate.”

Meanwhile, on the ground, top dogs Rossi and Ronni have been working with members of the RAF Police, who provide security services to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, keeping the site safe for staff, volunteers and visitors.

Motorists are being warned to avoid roads around RAF Fairford, with a high volume of traffic heading to the show.

Tickets for displays on Saturday and Sunday have sold out and organisers have warned there will be no tickets on sale at the gate.

For more details on the event, log on to www.airtattoo.com