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.