F22 Raptor leading the Poll

The F22 Raptor is leading the way in the Poll for Air tattoo fans preferred choice of Aircraft to attend next year's Airshow at RAF Fairford.

The Raptor has a total of 60 votes, just four ahead of it's nearest rival the Mig 29 Fulcrum, and it's going to be a close battle one expects throughout 2010 too.

Hopes are high for both aircraft to attend the show, with Farnborough taking place next year too, which normally increases the level of quality of participants, keen to show off their products to the rest of the world.

The F22 was of course here for the 2008 show that sadly got cancelled thanks to shocking weather that the area received in the week leading up to the show, but a select few managed to get a glimpse of the Raptor during it's practice the night before the Saturday show was due to take place.

The Mig 29 , which has received 56 votes, hasn't been over for a few years, but there is always a clamour for it, so hopefully the organisers of next year's Tattoo will be able to persuade the powers that be to bring it over to the largest military air show in the world.

Just behind the Mig, is the B2 Spirit, a surprise, considering it's not the greatest of displays, but obviously the look of the aircraft is the appeal, with the "flying wing" look to it, ensuring that it is a favourite amongst the crowd. It seems a long while ago that the B2 made it's first appearance at a UK airshow, with 2 USAF fighters either side during it's flypast, having flown all the way across from the USA.

The B2 Spirit has 36 votes, whilst another B2, this time, the Vulcan B2, has 29 votes, and has become (once again) a firm favourite amongst airshow fans, the sad fact though is that money is running around thick and fast on the project, partially down to the mail strikes, which have prevented many receiving newsletters requesting financial help in keeping XH558 in the air.

It would be hard to take the Vulcan being grounded after such a great year in 2009, with hundreds of thousands of people having witnessed great displays complete with "the howl", but the Vulcan to the Sky team need £400,000 before Christmas to remain on course of bringing that howl & display to the public next year too - you can donate here.

The B1 bomber is just two votes behind the Vulcan in the Air Tattoo Poll, and was sorely missed in 2009's RIAT, even though there was a presence of 1 bomber - on static - at the show, but the great thunderous sound of the B1 was not there, something I personally was disappointed by, considering it had become a regular fixture on the Air Tattoo calendar - hopefully it will take it's place in the flying display next year.

Finally, just one vote behind the B1 is the A10 Thunderbolt, which has not been included in the flying display for some time, but would certainly be a most welcome addition given it's unusual shape. There are many A10 fans in the UK, but they are seldom seen in the skies, so come on US Air Force, let's see them up there next July!

The Poll will of course continue, and feel free to vote on the aircraft that you'd most like to see at Air Tattoo 2010!