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Category: Vehicles

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Wings Over Illawarra 2021 Air Show

Paul Bennett in his Wolf Pitts

Wings Over Illawarra 2021

Delayed since 2020 due to Covid, Wings Over Illawarra was able to get into the air on the weekend of 27/28 November 2021. Held at Shellharbour Airport, south of Wollongong, the air show was well organised, with plenty of parking and helpful volunteers.

We stayed at a nearby hotel the previous night, because the show was a four-hour drive from home. Our previous visit here in 2018 convinced us that Gold Tickets would be a good idea and we were not disappointed. Not only did they give us great seats and excellent onsite parking, but we got early access to the site. This let us wander around the static displays before the crowds arrived, allowing us to take photos without too many people around.

Weather

Unfortunately, the weather on the day was overcast with showers, but the organizers did a great job getting as many flights happening as possible. Some of the warbirds did not fly, as the risk was too great, but we were able to see them close up because they were parked in front of the Gold Ticket area.

Static Displays

After getting a coffee, we went for a walk through the aircraft on static display. The RAAF had a Lockheed Hercules C-130J on display, which we were able to walk through. The air force also had an F/A-18 Hornet, but it was on the flight line ready for a display.

The Royal Australian Navy and Army contributed helicopters, with the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk demonstrating its flying abilities later in the day.

HARS (previously Historic Aircraft Restoration Society) is based at the airport and had their collection on display. They have an excellent collection, with the MiG-21 being a new addition since our last visit.

Lockheed C-130J Hercules Wings Over Illawarra 2021
Lockheed C-130J Hercules
Eurocopter MRH-90 Taipan Wings Over Illawarra Air Show 2021
Eurocopter MRH-90 Taipan
De Havilland Canada Caribou Wings Over Illawarra Air Show 2021
De Havilland Canada Caribou
Douglas C-47 Dakota A65-95
Douglas C-47 Dakota A65-95
CAC Sabre A94-901 Wings Over Illawarra Air Show 2021
CAC Sabre A94-901
MiG 21U in Indian Air Force colours Wings Over Illawarra Air Show 2021
MiG 21U in Indian Air Force colours
Dassault Mirage IIIO
Dassault Mirage IIIO

War Birds

The highlight of many air shows are the war birds giving flying demonstrations. The Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, Lockheed Neptune and CAC Wirraway put on a great display Despite the weather. Unfortunately, the Avenger, Corsair and P-51 didn’t fly on the day, but were still displayed for people to see.

Vought Corsair with folded wings Wings Over Illawarra 2021
Vought Corsair with folded wings
Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk
Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk

Flying Displays

Apart from the war birds, flying displays were put on by the RAAF with their F/A-18, the Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk and the Sky Aces aerobatic team. These were great to see and our seats in the grandstand gave us an excellent view.

Lockheed P-2H Neptune A89-273
Lockheed P-2H Neptune A89-273
F/A-18A Hornet A21-8
F/A-18A Hornet A21-8
Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk
Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk
Paul Bennett in his Wolf Pitts
Paul Bennet in his Wolf Pitts

Vehicle Displays

On the far side of the airfield was a small static display of vintage vehicles and current Australian Army vehicles. This was a fun and interesting area to walk around, as it offered something different to see.

1939 Chevrolet
1939 Chevrolet
Bushmaster
Bushmaster

What Did We Think of Wings Over Illawarra 2021?

We had a great day here watching the flying and walking around the displays, despite the gloomy weather. The following day had much improved weather, so the full flying agenda took place. Displays by HARS and access to their museum was a great part to the show.

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Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Maritime Museum of Tasmania

If you have an interest in maritime history, then the Maritime Museum of Tasmania is a great place to spend an hour. Located next to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and opposite Constitution dock it is easy to get to.

During our visit, the second floor was undergoing renovations, which meant we missed some displays. The remaining area was still interesting as it covered Tasmania’s maritime history.

One of the more interesting displays was a model of the Tasman Bridge disaster. This occurred on 5 January 1975 when a bulk ore carrier collided with bridge pylons, causing a section of the bridge to collapse. Seven crew and five drivers from four cars were killed when they drove off the bridge and fell 45m to the water below. The model shows the SS Lake Illawarra lying on the river bottom with bridge debris covering her.

Tasmania’s contribution to Antarctic exploration has been significant, due to its proximity. A model of the exploration ship Nella Dan commemorates these achievements.

Other displays included interesting figureheads and boats, along with more models ships and photos.

  • Knots Display
  • Main Display Room Ground Floor
    Main Display Room Ground Floor
  • Figure Heads Maritime Museum of Tasmania
    Figure Heads (Zephyr left and Mary Wadley right)
  • Diving Suit
    Diving Suit
  • Tasman Bridge Disaster
    Tasman Bridge Disaster
  • Tasman Bridge Disaster
    Tasman Bridge Disaster
  • Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan Maritime Museum of Tasmania
    Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan
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Kandos The Town That Built Sydney

Train Sculpture at a Kandos Railway Station

Kandos The Town That Built Sydney

Established in the early 1900s for the NSW Cement, Lime and Coal Co Ltd, Kandos produced cement until the plant’s closure in 2011. Taken from the initials of the founding company directors: Campbell, Angus, Noyes, McDonald, Oakden and Stephen. The first letter was later changed to a K rather than a C at the insistence of the Postmaster General. He thought it was too close to Chandos in South Australia.

Cement produced here was used all over New South Wales, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the Central to St James underground railway, leading to the town branding itself “The Town That Built Sydney”.

Located 234 km north-west of Sydney, for a three and a quarter hour trip, or a 64 km, one-hour trip south-east of Mudgee, Kandos is a great place to visit. Not only does the town offer interesting things to do, but nearby is Dunns Swamp in Wollemi National Park.

On entering town, an old railway wagon proudly displays a load of Kandos Cement, making you aware of the town’s heritage.

Some interesting sights include the old railway station and nearby hotel, along with some interesting sculptures nearby. We also found an old underground loading unit sitting on the side of a road near the museum, which was an interesting discovery.

  • Kandos Cement Wagon
    Cement Wagon
  • Old Rail Wagons
    Old Rail Wagons
  • Kandos Town Sign
    Kandos Town Sign
  • Kandos Railway Station
    The Railway Station
  • Train Sculpture at a Kandos Railway Station
    Train Sculpture at a the Railway Station
  • Sculpture at a Kandos Railway Station
    Sculpture at the Railway Station
  • St Laurence’s Anglican Church
  • Railway Hotel
    Railway Hotel
  • Underground Loader
    Underground Loader

Kandos Museum

Specialising in Kandos and the surrounding towns, the museum has a wonderful collection of historical items. A large section is dedicated to the cement works and their impact on the town.

Outside displays provide access to several large displays of cement works equipment, including skips from the aerial ropeway that brought limestone from the quarry to the cement works.

The volunteer staff were exceptional, full of local knowledge and more than happy to answer our questions. They really made the visit even more enjoyable.

Kandos Museum
Kandos Museum

Kandos Cement Works

Walking inside the museum’s entrance, you are greeting by the immaculate 1930 Nash Ambulance. This vehicle is surrounded by cement works artefacts, detailing the workings of the factory that kept Kandos ticking for nearly 100 years.

  • Kandos Cement Works 1930 Nash Ambulance
    Kandos Cement Works 1930 Nash Ambulance
  • The Mine's Old Safety Sign
    The Old Safety Sign
  • Gauges From the Cement Factory
    Gauges From the Cement Factory
  • The Many Used for an Old Cement Bag
    The Many Used for an Old Cement Bag

Local History

The local history of Kandos and surrounding villages makes up a large display in a second room, detailing local life.

  • Local Towns and Villages Sign at the Museum
    Local Towns and Villages Sign at the Museum
  • Gas Powered Fridge
    Gas Powered Fridge
  • Gramophone Collection
    Gramophone Collection
  • Gas Light
    Gas Light
  • Old Telephones and Cinema Sign
    Old Telephones and Cinema Sign
  • Kandos Museum
    Main Museum Display Room
  • Old Farm Tools
    Old Farm Tools

Outside Displays

Large pieces of equipment displayed outside the museum include part of the aerial ropeway, steam engines and crushers provide a glimpse of the limestone quarry’s operation.

  • Old Equipment at the Museum
    Old Equipment at the Museum
  • Mill From the Kandos Cement Factory
    Mill From the Cement Factory
  • Overhead Skip
    Aerial Ropeway Skip

What Did We Think?

Kandos is a great town to visit, with a lot of history crammed into 100 years, as well as the wonderful Wollemi National Park to visit close by.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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