Antonov 124 at Adelaide Airport

Santa delivered an early Christmas present to the Adelaide Planespotters when an Antonov 124 arrived from Nadi, Fiji this morning.

After landing, it parked by the control tower, where close views were obtained from the long term car park.

Adelaide Airport - Finals

Today was a day of finals for Adelaide Airport.

Firstly we had the final scheduled visit of a Qantas Boeing 747 before they are retired from service next year.  VH-OEH, "Hervey Bay" was here to take around 360 passengers on a sightseeing trip over Antarctica.  She will be retired next year after 17 years of service with Qantas.  Here she is lining up for take-off on Runway 05 this morning

The other finals came this afternoon when the last 3 PC-21's arrived on delivery to the RAAF.  After a week long flight from Switzerland, they will be handed over to the RAAF tomorrow at East Sale in Victoria.  The RAAF will then have it's full complement of 49 PC-21's used for pilot training, the RAAF aerobatic display team "The Roulettes" and for Forward Air Control.  They are delivered flying under Swiss civil registrations and wearing the Swiss flag as military aircraft would not be allowed to fly across many countries airspace.

RAAF Edinburgh Aiirshow 2019 - Static display

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.

RAAF Edinburgh Airshow 2019 - Afternoon Flying Display

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.

RAAF Edinburgh Airshow 2019 - Morning Flying Display

This weekend, RAAF Edinburgh hosted the RAAF Airshow for 2019.

There were two flying displays, with the morning session given over to mainly historical aircraft and the afternoon session for more modern types

Here are a few photos from the morning session.

This is a A19-040 (|Civilian Reg VH-CTK) a CT-4A Airtrainer, used as the RAAF initial trainer for many years.  It was designed and built in New Zealand, but it was derived from the Victa Airtourer, and Australian design sold to NZ.

Next is 68-10779 (VH-XVA) a Cessna A-37B Dragonfly. This is a ground attack aircraft flown in the Vietnam war in support of Australian ground troops.

A20-695 (VH-MFW) is a Commonwealth CA-16 Wirraway, extensively used as a training aircraft just after WW2.  

Lockheed Hudson A16-211 (VH-KOY) is the only airworthy Hudson left in the world.  It was used extensively in WW2 by many air forces in a variety of roles.

The last three aircraft will be recognised by many as the fighters that won WW@ for the allies.  

First up, the Hawker Hurricane. V6748 (VH-JFW) is a Canadian built example built in 1942 and used by the RAF in WW2.

This Supermarine Spitfire A58-602 (VH-HET) was delivered to Australia right at the end of WW2 and went straight into storage before being sold to Sydney Tech as an instructional airframe.

Finally, the North American P-51 Mustang, (or in this case an Australian built CA-18 Mustang), A68-118 (VH-AGJ) was delivered to the RAAF after the war, and damaged in a mid air collision in 1950.  It was restored back to flying condition in 1961.

Part 2 - the afternoon flying display will follow shortly....

Another Antonov

There was an unusual visitor at Adelaide Airport today.  This Ukrainian Antonov AN-12 delivered it's cargo to RAAF Edinburgh before making the short hop to Adelaide for fuel and a crew rest stop.

This four engined turbo prop cargo plane is 47 years old.

Chasing planes

I spent Sunday chasing planes at Adelaide Airport.

I was after planes big and small.

On the big side were the Air New Zealand Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Qatar Boeing 777 which is temporarily replacing our usual Airbus A350

The small ones were an Alice Springs based Royal Flying Doctors Pilatus PC-12 and a soon to be RAAF Pilatus PC-21 on delivery.

In the middle were both Qantas' "Retro Roo"s, Boeing 737's painted in the livery of the 70's and 50's respectively.