THE Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is on course today, despite a midweek scare.

Some 100 planes were expected to arrive at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Wednesday but, owing to severe weather, only 60 touched down on the airbase's runway.

However, after a fine day yesterday the event's organisers say they are back on track.

RIAT has wowed audiences since 1971 and this weekend's event is expected to be no different.

Hundreds of aeroplanes from around the world, ranging from jets and giant transporters, to helicopters and warbirds, will be on display.

And the US Air Force's most advanced jet fighter, the F22A Raptor, will be performing its first aerial display outside the United States.

The legendary RAF Red Arrows will be making their usual popular appearance along with seven of the world's best aerobatics display teams.

Alongside them will be the Patrouille de France, the Escuadrilla de Alta Acrobacia "Halcones" from Chile, the Esquadrilha da Fumaca from Brazil, the Turkish All-stars, the Patrouille Suisse and the Indian Air Force's Sarang Helicopter Display team.

RIAT organisers are advising that anyone planning to attend tomorrow must buy their tickets in advance as they will not be on sale at the gates.

Tickets are still available for both tomorrow and Sunday from Ticketmaster as well as from selected branches of Barclays Bank, Robert Dyas and a number of tourist information centres.

Tattoo spokesman Richard Arquati said the decision was prompted by buoyant ticket sales.

"We want to make sure that everyone who plans to come on Saturday has the chance to buy a ticket," he said.

"But it is important to make sure we are ready and able to cope with the traffic.

"We introduced day-specific tickets this year for the first time in order that we could monitor ticket sales. It is as a result of this monitoring that the decision not to sell on-the-day tickets on Saturday has been taken.

"Our advice is: If you want to come to the Air Tattoo, buy now or come on Sunday when tickets should also be on sale at the gate'."

For further details, visit www.airtattoo.com.

l Today, the Queen is joining 5,000 invited guests, members of the RAF and its various associations and charities, for a ceremony at which the Queen's Colours will be presented to the RAF in the UK and the Royal Air Force Regiment.