Hornets, Hornets & more Hornets

were on display last weekend at Avalon 2011. Yes, the International Airshow was on again and this year it was celebrating 90 years of the RAAF and 100 years of passenger flight. We left home early hoping to avoid the queue for a car park but discovered that many others had the same idea. Previous years had been overcast and last time in particular the crowd was down with the cold, wet weather. This year promised a fine weekend with blue sky and sunshine and the people came out in droves to take a look at the powerful aircraft.

The morning started with the RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet going through it's paces and from there on it was all go. Watching the newest Hornet was a thrill and the earplugs were a must have accessory as it showed us all what it can do. The speed and power are just awesome. It is hard to believe that a mere mortal, albeit a very highly trained one, is at the controls. From ultra modern technology we then stepped back in time to see a display of Veteran RAAF flying training aircraft. The Sopwith Pup, Tiger Moths, CT-4s, Winjeel Wirraway & Harvard Mustang were joined by the WWII Warbirds, The Spitfire, Sea Fury, Mustang, Kittyhawk and Boomerang all in perfect working order. These old planes make you watch in wonder at how far we have come during such a short time. Heritage Jets were represented by the Gloster Meteor, DH Vampire & CAC Sabre. The dedication in keeping all these old planes flying is just wonderful.


Another Military Fast Jet, this time from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, the F-16C showed us all what it could do and wowed us with its might & power. The Singaporean announcer & the Pilot had a bit of fun with the microphone and entertained us all. Perhaps the Comedy show next stop. Another International highlight was the Italian Air Force Test and Evaluation Squadron in their C27J Spartan (pictured below). This was an amazing display of power and agility in such a large aircraft. To see something the size of a passenger jet looping the loop and barrel rolling just makes you watch in wonder. RNZAF was also represented with a Boeing 757. Another Military Fast Jet that took our breath away was the USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon. And the RAAF BAE Hawk 127 was not far behind in the power stakes either.

Helicopters were not overlooked either and we were dazzled with a display, almost ballet like, from the RAN AS350 Squirrels. Later in the day the Navy Helicopter RAN Seahawk showed us how to rescue people at sea and the Army joined in later with a couple of Blackhawks showing us how they help defend the troops.

A civilian formation team, The Southern Knights, put on a wonderful display in their Harvards. Very colourful and very well received by the 1000's of people watching them. And of course you can't have an airshow without the Precision Formation Aerobatics by the RAAF Roulette's in their PC-9s from the Central Flying School. These pilots are just amazing and watching them is an absolute treat. And so photogenic too. Bill was in his element with the camera working overtime.

To celebrate the 100 years of passenger flying we were treated to a flyby from Charlie Camilleri's DHA Drover, Stinson Reliant & Lockheed 12. The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society's Lockheed Super Constellation, Douglas DC-3 & Douglas C-47 joined them. Watching these old aircraft flying past must have brought back many memories to some of the older folk in the crowd.

Another highlight of the airshows is always the solo aerobatics and this year was no different with an amazing death defying display from Matt Hall in his MX Racer. Nikolai Timofeyev and Su-26M together with Kent Pietsch and his S1-A Cadet entertained us during the day as well. How these guys ever have the nerve to try their first stunt will always be a mystery to me. They do it so well though and we can only hope that they stay safe always.

From the roar of the engines we were treated to the sounds of silence again as Bob Carlton showed us what his Jet Powered Glider could do. A small jet engine on the top of the large glider is all that is used to take him high up in the air before he turns it off and just glides down & down like a feather in the breeze. An amazing display and one that had us all watching in silence.

Larger Military planes were represented by the C-130J Hercules and the Bomber USAF B 1B Lancer. To see what these planes can do once up in the air is just awe inspiring. How these giants can move as they do taking off and landing in such small areas something you must see to understand. One of our own RAAF C -17A Globemaster was called away that morning for active duty helping in the Qld flood areas so we did not see that one.


Also flying by us was the Lockheed Hudson, the Consolidated Catalina and the Lockheed Neptune for a display of Maritime Patrol Heritage planes. The Catalina one of only two left in flying condition.

More Military Formation Aerobatics from the RAAF F/A 18's from No 3 Squadron had the earplugs back in as they wowed the crowd with some amazing displays. The afternoon finished with the RAAF F/A-18 Hornet, - the classic Hornet, going through it's paces for one last time.

We left the fields with many others to repeat the car park crawl but it was well and truly worth the effort. A great day and once again we spent the whole time on the fields and didn't get to see the many other areas on display, maybe next time.

So with another weekend over, it's off to work again. Next stop Yackandandah for the long weekend.

until next time...........