Remarks: Flight Deck of preserved WWII Vintage RAAF Avro 652 Anson Mk.1 W2486, taken at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) Canberra on 25Sep2003. The aircraft was Delivered to the RAAF on 12Sep1941, and after retirement was Civil Registered VH-BLG. She is displayed in the AWM in original RAAF configuration. (For Information, the similar Anson I now flying in New Zealand, ZK-RRA, was built in UK in 1944 and operated by the RAAF in WWII as MH120. Registration VH-BLP was Reserved but not taken up. MH120 was later Registered as VH-BAF - in Sep 1957.)
Remarks: A Friendly Formation Flight at Omaka (NZOM) New Zealand in 2013. A different story in Europe in 1943! Front top-side view Formation Flypast by Spitfire TR IX ZK-WDQ MH367, leading new-build Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8 ZK-RFR Cn 990001 at the Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow on Saturday 30Mar2103.
Remarks: Near-new C-17A A41-211 Cn AUS6 (120211) takes off from Canberra Airport (YSCB) Rwy 35 on Friday 03May2013. This pristine aircraft was delivered to 36 Squadron Amberley on 21Nov2012. C-17A A41-211, and F/A-18F Super Hornets A44-205 and A44-219, visited Canberra for Public Relations/ media exposure which accompanied a Government announcement that the RAAF will receive 12 new EA-18G Growler aircraft.
Remarks: Front Port-side sunset silhouette view of banking Goodyear FG-1D Corsair ZK-COR Cn 32823, being flown towards the airfield (from the West) at low altitude by Keith Skilling at the Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow. Photo of this ‘sneak pass’ taken at the start of the Airshow’s Dusk/ Night display on Friday 29Mar2013.
Remarks: Front Port-side view of RAAF 6 Squadron F/A-18F 'Rhino' A44-219 Bu 167975 departing Canberra Airport on Friday 03May2013. (The Super Hornet is fitted with two external fuel tanks on Stbd wing and Center-line stations (known as the 'Double Ugly' assymetric configuration). A44-219, and A44-205 operated by 1 Squadron, and 36 Sqn C-17A A41-211 were visiting Canberra for Public Relations/ media exposure which accompanied a Government announcement that the RAAF will receive 12 new EA-18G Growler aircraft, in lieu of modifying 12 of the current F/A-18Fs (delivered with fixed fittings for conversion to Growler configuration).
Remarks: Count the rivets. RNZAF Red Checkers CT-4E Airtrainer NZ1988 Cn 203 doing a ‘top-side’ flypast (making smoke) in sunshine during the display at the Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow on Saturday 30Mar2013. Most of the magnificent 3 day airshow was in sunny conditions. The Pilot’s Name on the canopy sill is Sqn Ldr Matt Alcock.
Remarks: Rear Port-side view of RAAF 1 Squadron F/A-18F 'Rhino' A44-205 Bu 167961 departing Canberra Airport on Friday 03May2013. (The Super Hornet is fitted with two external fuel tanks on Stbd wing and Center-line stations (known as the 'Double Ugly' assymetric configuration). A44-205, and A44-219 operated by 6 Squadron, and C-17A A41-211 visited Canberra for Public Relations/ media exposure which accompanied a Government announcement that the RAAF will receive 12 new EA-18G Growler aircraft, in lieu of modifying 12 of the current F/A-18Fs (delivered with fixed fittings for conversion to Growler configuration).
Remarks: Top-Side view of immaculately restored Avro 625A Anson Mk.1 ZK-RRA Cn MH-120 doing a steep banked Flypast over the airfield at the Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow on Sunday 31Mar2013. The Avro Anson Warbird also duelled with Nord 1002 ZK-WFI, masquerading as a Messerschmitt Me-108, during the airshow. ZK-RRA was built in UK in 1944 and operated by the RAAF in WWII as MH120. Registration VH-BLP was Reserved but not taken up. MH120 was later Registered as VH-BAF - in Sep 1957. The restored Anson is painted and marked as K6183 Code VX-B, as operated by 206 Squadron RAF Coastal Command in WWII.
Remarks: A waning half-moon provided a backdrop for aircraft flying at the 2013 Avalon International Airshow on Sunday morning 03Mar2013. Four RAAF Roulettes Pilatus PC-9As, led by A23-060 Cn 560, pass the moon while making smoke during their aerobatics display at 1011 hrs.
Remarks: The weirdest balloon ever to grace Canberra’s skies first got airborne on 11May2013, as part of the City’s Centenary Celebrations. Front/ Stbd view of Cameron Balloons SKYWHALE-110 VH-IOQ Cn 11628, shown at St Judes Primary School Holder, Canberra, on 18May2013. Finally airborne at 0917 hrs - the inflated balloon intrigues on-lookers. It must be an aircraft, seeing it has Australian VH- Registration. This balloon, referred to as ‘Public Art’, (which cost Canberra’s Taxpayers $300,000) was designed by Patricia Piccinini. I believe that the Canberra Centenary organisers wanted Registration VH-IOO for this balloon (for obvious reasons), but had to settle for VH-IOQ, because VH-IOO is already in use (on a Pitts S-1E, located in Molong NSW).
Remarks: Front Port side view of 3 Squadron RNZAF UH-1H Iroquois helicopter NZ3814 Cn 11942, turning at low level at the Classic Fighters Omaka Night Airshow (at NZOM, near Blenheim NZ) at dusk on Friday 29Mar2013. The grey livery of the Huey is bathed in orange sunlight just before sunset. RNZAF Hueys will soon be replaced by new NH-90 helicopters.
Remarks: Australians commemorated the 98th Anniversary Anzac Day on 25 April 2013. In Canberra, the Anzac Day Parade and Marchpast was at the Australian War Memorial. After the playing of the Last Post, three RAAF F/A-18 Hornets from 2OCU Williamtown NSW performed this Formation Flypast - over both Parliament Houses, Anzac Parade, the AWM and Mt Ainslie. The formation, led by A21-24 (Callsign Hunter 11), is shown climbing in front of New Parliament House (NPH), with jet efflux 'melting' the NPH, and the Old Parliament House (OPH) below. The Wingmen are A21-40 (Callsign Hunter 13) at left, and A21-43 (Callsign Hunter 12) at right in the photo. Lest We Forget.
Remarks: Top-side knife-edge pass (with smoke) by Pitts Model 12S Python ZK-PTS Cn 180 in cloudy conditions on Sunday 31Mar2013, at the Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow (at NZOM, near Blenheim NZ). The contrast (and similarities) with Beech C-17B Staggerwing VH-UXP Cn 108 (built in 1936) which also displayed at Omaka, is interesting.
Remarks: Front Top-Side view of Beechcraft C17B Staggerwing VH-UXP Cn 108, in sunny conditions on Saturday 30Mar2013, at the Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow (at NZOM, near Blenheim NZ). She was being flown by owner Cameron Hawley. This classic aircraft was First Registered as VH-UXP on 02Feb1937. Impressed into Military service during WWII with USAAF, and with RAAF as A39-3 from 13Aug1942 with No 2 Communication Flight. In April 1947 she was Sold to Kingsford Smith Aviation Services at Mascot Sydney. After a long restoration, First Flight was on 12May2012 from Mandeville NZ. The aircraft will be ferried back to Australia via Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island.
Remarks: Close-cropped front view of the nose, engine intakes, and cockpit canopy of USAF F-22A Raptor 09-4194 Code FF Cn 645-4194, on static display at Avalon on Saturday 02Mar2013. Photo taken at the 2013 Avalon International Airshow. Is that a Red Robot in the cockpit, or just a colourful ejection seat cover?
