Having just got back from a trip to Perth I visited the Red Bull Air Race. We only had time to visit on the Saturday 3rd Nov, so were able to watch the qualifiying sessions and a mini airshow in between. Held on the two shores of the Swan River the main viewing area for the race is on the southern shore overlooking the city. On the north shore Langley Park was used as the Redbull airport for the event. As we were staying on the north shore in the excellent YHA, we started the day with a free pit walk session to view the Planes and Pilots! It was all well organised if a little pushed for time. There was lots of support for Nigel, Paul and Steve from the British contingent!. Leaving the ‘airport’ we headed down to the ferry terminal to catch a trip over to the south shore. It soon became apparent that a huge queue was going to make it difficult to get across in time, so we elected to stay on the North shore. Finding a sheltered spot under a tree with the sun behind us (it would have been in front of us on the south shore!) we settled down to watch the events. One by one the guys came out for their qualifying – it was quite spectacular watching the time trials even from the distance, and we also had good commentary and a large screen to view to keep in contact with the proceedings. All good stuff. But for me the best bit was when the aircraft came back to the airport – flying very low in front of the Perth buildings – and then right over your head – low enough to sometimes get propwash!. There were plenty of viewing opportunities around the ‘airport’ and not too many people were around this area! After a somewhat subdued performance from 4 or 5 of the RAAF Roulettes (without any smoke – but in what seemed like difficult blusterly conditions), a parachute drop, an aerobatic demonstration, an unlikely but entertaining duo of a T6 and Christen Eagle , and an energetic trio of Nanchangs, we were off back to the airport for our trip back to Melbourne! Would I go to a RedBull air race again? – Yep a grand day out!:)
selection of pics:
By: Baliga - 14th November 2007 at 01:13
Baliga – good shots from San diego – did they use Midway for the ‘Red bull airport’!
Thanks!,I guess not all of them tookoff from USS Midway.
By: richb - 10th November 2007 at 07:49
cheers guys! – it was quite difficult taking pics as there was a fly problem! – they were attracted to black things – so while framing a shot all I could see in the corner of my eye were many flys walking on the camera! – mind they were not so bad in Perth compared to Exmouth up north!
Baliga – good shots from San diego – did they use Midway for the ‘Red bull airport’!
By: Baliga - 10th November 2007 at 07:30
Hi, Some of the best photos I could get…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14497022@N04/
By: David Eyre - 8th November 2007 at 23:29
Nixe shots! Love the paint job with the engine showing. Whose A/C was that? Been watching the races on the TV, don’t recall seeing that one, at least not up close.
Chris,
That is N24KC, Zivko Edge 540 used by Frank Versteegh. It was Steve Jones’ aircraft last year, and had a similar paint scheme then.
If you want a full list of participating aircraft, check this link:
http://jetspotter.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7397&start=45&sid=d61006092294d6df7b021345f0acfc3b
By: CSheppardholedi - 8th November 2007 at 18:15
Nixe shots! Love the paint job with the engine showing. Whose A/C was that? Been watching the races on the TV, don’t recall seeing that one, at least not up close.
By: Manston Airport - 8th November 2007 at 18:09
Has the Red Bull Air Race finished? Nice shots there aswel
James
By: Jezza - 6th November 2007 at 10:50
im glad you liked perth.
theres some talk of perth may lose redbull soon
i hope not
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November 6, 2007 at 10:27 am