dougal_s

Well, I may have to eat humble pie, the list of aircraft attending on the official site includes the F-22 (and B-2). See http://www.airshow.net.au/avalon2011/airshow/flying-display.html

They used pictures of the Raptor for the last airshow's promotional material, but there wasn't one there...Whilst it would be great to see one, I'm not holding my breath for it.

Well I took the family along and enjoyed the day there. The weather was not the best - but then it wasn't the worst either! Highlight for me was seeing the Sabre fly, but then that wasn't surprising. I look forward to the next one!

Just received an indicative schedule, it doesn't include timings - just a list of possible flying order. Event Commando Parachutes Southern Knights Sopwith Pup CT4s Tiger Moths Harvard Boomerang Winjeels Jet Provost Roulettes Arrival Vampire Hudson DC3 Wirraway Birddogs Birddogs & Trojan Yak 9 CT4 PC21 Spitfire Mustangs Spitfire Kittyhawk Sabre, Mustang & Spitfire Sabre Kittyhawk, Mustang & Spitfire C-130H Departure

The weather forecast has improved a bit, so things are looking up! 'Only' isolated showers forecast now. Fingers crossed.

Incidentally the weather forecast is not too promising: But then this is Melbourne and this is likely to change by Sunday...But I really hope this is not going to end up like Avalon last year.

I've been looking around for a Programme of Events i.e. flying display schedule, but I have not found one anywhere yet. Does anybody know what the flying schedule will/might be?

I went to the Air Pageant in Feb or March 08 and enjoyed that, so I am looking forward to this one - especially the Sabre! I've long wanted to see one of these flying.

Thought I'd start a thread on this upcoming event: Info is a bit scant, but some from http://www.airforce.gov.au/RAAFMuseum/index.htm Personally I'm looking forward to seeing the Sabre.

Cor it is true, but confirmed a little too late now for me to make plans to see it. Damn shame! See http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/recreation/events/sky_show Defence Force Air Display and Townsville City Council Family Fireworks Spectacular Saturday 26 September 12.30 – 7.30pm Strand Park and further down: Open Day Sunday 27 September RAAF Base, Ingham Road, Garbutt The action will continue on Sunday 27 September at an open day at the RAAF Base. RAAF Townsville will open its gates to allow the general public to view, touch and in some case walk through the aircraft involved in Saturdays flying displays.

Just stumbled upon this on the Street Directory website - a kind of Google Street View of the airshow. It is quite neat, check it out at: http://www.street-directory.com.au/sd_new/mapsearch.cgi?x=144.470603&y=-38.033388&level=6&svid=121687

I had a look at the official Thunderbirds web site and there is no mention of it, just that around that time events are still to be announced.

No worries:smile:

And some more piccies from the airshow.

There is a possibility they will be at Townsville in Sep. See http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/03/17/45021_hpnews.html. If it happens I'll head to Townsville to see them.

Thanks, no- just pics of the military stuff so far. I haven't got a chance to go wander around the static displays yet. I hope to do that tomorrow.

Some pictures from last night, a few crops here and there. We had to bail today as got rained out and had took my 2 year old and 7 month old kids - and they were not happy in the wet and wind. Will head back tomorrow though.

Ah thanks for that. I do recall seeing a pic of a Sabre in the old RAAF markings e.g. the blue and white roundel. It was flying at an airshow somewhere, but I am not sure if the airshow was in Aus or somewhere else....I got mildly excited at the time as I have always wanted to see a flying Sabre. I've seen a few at museums, but none in flying order.

I'm not sure how accurate that list is though as there is supposed to be an RNZAF P-3 Orion coming over as well and there is no mention of it on the list. I guess I'll find out. I was really disappointed to see there is not going to be the Meteor, Sabre (is there still a Sabre flying in Aus - I recall seeing a photo of it a while ago but...??) or Canberra. Anyhow I am still excited though as there are many Aus aircraft I have not seen, or have not seen for a while, but I was hoping for a better lineup.

There is a list of attending aircraft at http://www.airshow.net.au/avalon2009/public-visitors/flying-display.html - scroll down to find it.

Went to the Werribee Open Range Zoo today with the family. We were treated (well I was treated) to various aircraft zipping around. Saw an F-111, 2 F/A-18s, 2 OH-58s and one of the B-1Bs. Looking fwd to the airshow this weekend.

The B-1B enroute to Avalon was forced to make an emergency landing at Tullamarine: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25155111-2862,00.html and http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/08/2510289.htm I may do a wee driveby the airport to have a peek.

Some footage of aircraft going through their paces in readiness for next week: http://media.theage.com.au/?category=Breaking%20News&rid=46772

It seems this will be the last time that the F-111s (as mentioned earlier in this thread) and the Caribou will appear at Avalon (making the assumption there will be another Avalon airshow). See http://www.australia.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6670:defence-air-power-to-be-displayed-at-avalon&catid=72:australian-news&Itemid=29

Some info at: http://www.defpro.com/news/details/5914/. Quote; Boeing's presence at the show will include the static display and aerial demonstration of Australia's newest fighter aircraft -- the F/A-18F Super Hornet -- plus the C-17 Globemaster III military transport, CH-47 Chinook medium-lift helicopter, ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft. The Boeing exhibit also will feature the Vigilare air battle management system, a P-8 mission demonstrator console, and an F/A-18 simulator. End Quote I'd like a turn on the FA18 simulator - I spent many an hour on Janes F/A-18 pretending to be a real fighter pilot!