AMAZING pictures of aircrafts in action from the first day at the Royal International Air Tattoo have come in. 

Aircraft and enthusiasts arrived all over the country and the world for the first official day of the three-day aviation extravaganza at RAF Fairford. 

Some of the action today included a poignant NATO flypast - celebrating 75 years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

History was also made at RIAT today, as the F-15QA displayed for the first time in Europe.

However, planes weren't the only thing soaring today; the scorching weather reached highs of 29 degrees. 

A sharp contrast to last year's weather, when some events were cancelled due to heavy rain. 

There was also a fantastic flying display with the RAF Falcons parachute display team jumping out of a C-17.

Meanwhile, the highly anticipated U-2 was on display for visitors. 

Money raised from the event will go towards the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.

For more action see our picture gallery - all photos by Paul Nicholls -www.paulnichollsphotography.com

The RAF Falcons parachute display team after jumping out of a C-17 - photo by Paul Nicholls 
 

Maxine Hastings, postmistress at Fairford Post Office, admiring a Post Office Post Box Wool Topper - photo by Paul Nicholls 

Photographers snapping the action at The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford - photo by Paul Nicholls 

The NATO flypast - celebrating 75 years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - photo by Paul Nicholls