Today (Sunday 18th February), I visited Avalon Airport for the biennial Australian International Airshow. It was a fine and sunny day (37 degrees celsius, or just shy of 100 degrees on the *old* scale), and I’m red as a tomato (I think sunscreen is a placebo, only it DOESN’T work).
Here is a short review of the flying displays (that interested me):
RAAF F/A-18A+:
Did all the usual airshow manuevres, flying around very loudy. Quite mediocre really…
RAAF F-111C:
Even though this is my favourite aircraft, I didn’t stick around to see it fly, as I was uncomfortably hot, and I’ve seen it all anyways…
RAAF DHC-4 Caribou:
Impressive short field performance, although the pilot’s insistence on doing not 1, not 2, but 3 wheelbarrow touch and goes was…well…boring. Still, the ability to stop so suddenly and the enormous power in the engines on full reverse certainly impressed me. I can only hope that the replacement will be half as good.
RAF Tornado GR.1:
First time at the airshow for this one. I was surprised that those tiny little RB199s could be so loud, and the high speed passes looked suitably F-111-ish.
RAF Nimrod:
Interesting, haven’t seen this at Avalon before either. It’s, well…loud, that’s about all.
USAF F-15C:
The most impressive flying display, although I’d seen it all before. Lotsa maneuvres to show off the more than ample power, etc. etc. etc. Am I boring you guys yet???
USAF F-16C:
The Lawn Dart is so boring. Showed off a couple of high-g manuevres that would never be used in combat (like quarters), had the crowd oohing and aahing, but it wasn’t anything special.
USAF C-17:
This one impressed me. I could not believe the short field performance for such a large transport. Looks fat and ugly though, but which military transports don’t?
USAF B-1B:
The Bone received a hush silence on it’s first pass, as it was also an Avalon virgin. The pilots didn’t really push the big bomber much though, made 3 impressive high speed passes, was very loud, but didn’t give a hint of it’s low speed handling characteristics.
USN F/A-18F:
Now this one REALLY disappointed. I’ve always tried to protect the Super Hornet from lashings on the forum, but I don’t think I can keep doing that. I’m pretty sure the pilot didn’t push the Super Hornet to it’s limits, but he was on burner for much of his routine, and all I can say is that the aircraft looked REALLY lethargic through the air. RAAF “puny” Hornets seemed to be far more agile. Super Hornet just seemed like it could not pull out enough power, it limped through the air, suitably loud (I like loud ok???), but seemed severely underpowered.
AH-64D Apache Longbow:
Performed stunning (but useless in combat) maneuvres that will have the politicians ogling, and will (unfortunately) see the AH-64D get picked ahead of the far more appropriate ARH-1Z. Performed loops etc., great looking, but not particularly needed in an armed reconnaisance helicopter.
Overall, the 2001 Australian International Airshow at Avalon was a little disappointing. I expected better than the quite good 1999 show, but they didn’t really deliver. The weather on the day was VERY hot, and VERY windy, which prevented many of the other, lighter performers from trying too much. Still, it was an experience, and I’ll probably be back in 2 years…
Here are the promised static park pictures (not many, got bored after a while):
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/f1601.JPG
F-16C
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/f1602.JPG
F-16C with F/A-18F and F-15C in background
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/fa18f01.JPG
F/A-18F
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/fa18f02.JPG
F/A-18F
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/military01.JPG
F-16Cs, F/A-18Fs, F-15C, Tornado GR.1
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/c1701.JPG
C-17 Globemaster III
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/tornados01.JPG
Tornado GR.1s
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/ah64d01.JPG
Take-off on a demonstration with RAAF pilot in the gunner’s seat (I think).
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/ah64d02.JPG
And away it goes, off to the You Yangs (hills in background).
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/fa18a+01.JPG
F/A-18A+
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/f11101.JPG
F-111 Pigs
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/plastotyphoon01.JPG
Impressive full scale mock-up of Typhoon, with ASRAAMs, ALARMs, AMRAAMs, Taurus, Scalp EG, Storm Shadow, Paveway IIIs etc.
http://members.optushome.com.au/mschew/buff01.JPG
B-52, KC-135R, and behind that, B-1B (it was so far away, and it was so hot, so I couldn’t be bothered walking down for a photo).
Action shots will be scanned and uploaded sometime next week.
MinMiester
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February 18, 2001 at 9:52 am
