I went to the airshow early on Saturday so I could get some photos of the aircraft on static display without too many people in them.
Right by the entrance was a Royal Air Force A300M Atlas
Another European visitor was this Leonardo AW-109 helicopter
Some brand new RAAF aircraft inclded the Pilatus PC-21 and the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
Amongst the historical aircraft were the CA-18 Mustang and the Gloster Meteor
The first Aussie designed and built fighter the CA-13 Boomerang and the Supermarine Spitfire
and lastly the venerable DHC-4 Caribou which served the RAAF for over 45 years.
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.
