The afternoon flying display opened with the RAAF precision aerobatic team the Roulettes. They were performing their first full display using their brand new Pilatus PC-21 aircraft. They start by flying in from behind the crowd before pulling up into a loop.
Soon after, the "synchro pair" split away from the main group, leaving a four ship group to do some more aerobatics and the "synchro pair" to show off the handling of their new plane.
Finally they all join together again for the farewell burst
Next up was the RAAF's newest addition, the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. This is the ultimate boy's toy, and the pilot really showed off!
Until the full complement of F-35's is received, the RAAF's main fighter is still the F-18 Hornet.
The Hornet's display included a simulated air-to-air refuelling demonstration, formating on an Airbus MRTT KC-30 tanker
These were followed by two versions of the Boeing 737 airliner, firstly the E-7A Wedgetail with it's massive radar, and then the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which are based here at Edinburgh.
Finally we were treated to a display of the RAAF's tactical and strategic airlift capability with the Alenia C-27 Spartan and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
Some of the aircraft on static display will follow in the next post.
On Sunday, with some friends, we made an early start and headed up through the Clare Valley to the Mid North, and Jamestown for their triennial airshow. There was a fierce crosswind blowing that meant some displays were cancelled, but that did not phase the wing-walker whose display had us all holding our breath! (almost)
The airshow programme was a great mix of aircraft. There were vintage planes of all shapes and sizes from the luxurious Stinson of the 1930s to the giant russian Antonov An2 built from the late 40s.
There were aerobatics from high performance stunt planes like the Giles G-202 and the Extra 300, but Paul Bennet in his Pitts Special stole the show with his amazing display, and then his crazy stunt involving a motorbike jumping over him.
There were jets in the air, (L139 Albatross and Aermacci S211) and on the ground were the jet car powered by an engine from a Sabreliner executive jet showed it acceleration. (The pyrotechnics also started a fire and kept the local CFS busy
But everyone had really come to see the warbirds, vintage military aircraft. WW1 was represented by a replica Nieuport 11. I didn't realise they had GPS in WW1!
The Trojan, from the Korean and Vietnam eras is one of my favourites, as is the CAC Boomerang which saw service in WW2
The P40 Kittyhawk always give a good show, and the kids love those sharksteeth!
The real highlight for me though was the Grumman TBM Avenger, a huge beast of a plane with a 14 cylinder engine that powered around the skies.
This year's Barossa air show was held today. The weather forecast was not brilliant, with showers forecast, but they either got it wrong or they dodged the Barossa! It was cloudy at first, but came good in the afternoon. I went with a friend of mine, Mike Simms, and you can see his blog here.
First up was the model aircraft club, with a good mix of radio controlled gliders, training aircraft and even a Eurofighter jet.
There was an interesting mix of planes, both civil and military. civilian aircraft including this light sports aircraft an Aeroprakt Foxbat, the unique "push me, pull you" Cessna 337 skymaster, and an Airtractor AT802 water bomber from the CFS.
The local Gliding and Parachute clubs were also represented.
As always, Aerobatics was high on the list, with the RAAF Roulettes putting up a 5 ship team of Pilatus PC-9s instead of their usual 6.
Various Australian Aerobatic champions were here, including Paul Andronicou, in his Extra 300S, and Tony Blair, in his Rebel 300. Chris Sperou also did his usual shows, though his Pitts "super stinker" is sporting a flashy new livery since I last saw it.
Military aircraft of yesteryear included the sedate DHC-1 Chipmunk, and DH-82 Tiger Moth. Not so sedate was the immaculate T-28 Trojan. The Yak-52 and Nangchangs of Adelaide Warbirds showed us some formation flying, before the Yak did a solo display.
Finally, a nice display by the 80% sized replica Spitfire (Which the commentator embarrassingly kept calling a model!), and a surprise visit from the CA-12 Boomerang.
