Aircraft from all over the world took to the skies above Fairford today for the opening of the Royal International Air Tattoo.

Tickets for the popular event have now sold out, with around 170,000 visitors expected over the weekend.

Gazette Series: Cameras Skyward : A bank of photographers at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. Photo: Paul NichollsCameras Skyward : A bank of photographers at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. Photo: Paul Nicholls

This year's Tattoo is marking the United States Air Force's 75th Anniversary and has the theme of Training the Next Generation Air Force.

Gazette Series: The Red Arrows and a Boeing Poseidon open the show at the Royal International Air TattooThe Red Arrows and a Boeing Poseidon open the show at the Royal International Air Tattoo

Click the gallery above to view more photos from today. All were taken by Paul Nicholls - paulnichollsphotography.com