There have been heaps of different aircraft flying around today ,i should say it is going to get very noisy around here tomorrow,i can almost see williamtown from my place .there have been 30,000 people booked online and are expecting around 50-60k to attend,the roads around here are going to be very busy .This is going to one huge airshow.
AL
..... expecting around 50-60k to attend,the roads around here are going to be very busy ......AL
This I know, from the early 80s. I was on duty from hell during these Airshows. The crowds have grown enormously since then.
They used to have a RAAF family day ...the day before the big events which were even more spectacular. I suspect this has been scrapped due to the logistics of the big event.
No doubt there will be protests about the noise from the group at Port Stephens.
Anyway I hope the weather is good and all who attend enjoy themselves. Airshows use to be a regular event at all major RAAF bases but they are a rare event now.
If those who attend the airshow from IIS wear an IIS T-shirt, then we can catch up an meet those who we dont usually see at regular observing sessions.
F-111s still performing at airshows? I remember them saying that the last F-111 display was to be held at Avalon 09. So this one is going to be the last time for real?
Shame to see these go, awesome performance in these 45 year old beasts. Top speed of Mach 2.5, ceiling 66,000ft and a 2100km combat radius, the Superhornets replacing them fall well short of all of these figures. They don't make 'em like they used to
Kinda like "more last shows than Johnny Farnham"!
The Hornet Aircraft serviceability rate compared to the F111..is like day and night and F111 maintenance was and is hugely expensive and manpower intensive.
edit:
forgot to say...we trialled new generation engines in the F111 at ARDU late 80s. The old beast went quite a bit faster than its rated 2.4Mach. Airframe temp got too much though.
F-111s still performing at airshows? I remember them saying that the last F-111 display was to be held at Avalon 09. So this one is going to be the last time for real?
The F-111's are to be retired by 2010. Won't be flying after that, which means that Avalon in 2009 would indeed have been the last time you would have seen them. As did I at Amberley in 2008.
That being said, our last years River Festival was supposed to be the last time the F-111 was going to do the dump and burn for that event, but this year they brought it back again.
When I was at Amberley in 2008 the f-111's did more than they normally do at airshows and did quite a lengthy stunt display because it was the farewell. At the end, when it had finished doing all the stunts, it taxied very slowly and the crowds which were rapped around the runway all waved a very emotional goodbye.
I wish I was there at Williamtown Can people give some comments of the day and some piccies?
If John Farnham shot flames out his backside, I'd pay to see another comeback too!
There were so many brilliant sights - and (sorry to those who moved next to an airbase to live the quiet life) sounds... but the run of six planes (Hudson, Mustang, Boomerang {listed in program as Kitty Hawk} , Meteor, F111 and Super Hornet)from six plus decades sharing a formation which resembled a big kid's wallpaper was the highlight for me.
Not to mention the F-111 handing the torch to the super hornet. The wonderful growl of the Neptune... oh too much to mention. Congrats to the RAAF for putting on a great day. And to the crowd. The most civilised large event I've ever seen.
And for those who love the never say die attitude, the Jetstar liner with "powderfinger" livery taxied in and out between proceedings.. didn't they break up? Maybe they can tour with Farnsie and have a Pig flyover with a guest spot from the Eagles. Now that I'd pay to see.
Last edited by Danny Wa; 20-09-2010 at 04:54 PM.
Reason: Inaccuracy in listing
Hey Dan, thanks for posting those shots - great job getting them together in the one frame Would have loved to have been there to see it.
Apologies for being pedantic, but I don't think that's a P-40 Kittyhawk in the shot but the Aussie built Boomerang.
Hi Dan, thank you for posting those AMAZING pics!
That first pic in particular, of them lined up is brilliant! Hope you don't mind if I use that one as my desktop background for a little while.
By the way, I nearly forgot in all the excitment, Welcome to IIS Dan .
Actually THANKS for being pedantic Adam, terrible mistake on my part transcribing the program - have corrected.
I hope I wasn't an anti aircraft gunner in a past life. Bang! oops, sorry Captain!
As for the desktop Suzy go right ahead I'm flattered. I had to put the different views in just to show it wasn't a montage... Thanks for the good feedback.
Regards, Dan
Last edited by Danny Wa; 20-09-2010 at 04:57 PM.
Reason: update facts
Would have loved to have been there to see it.
brilliant! Hope you don't mind if I use that one as my desktop background for a little while.
Welcome to IIS Dan 
.
