Tag: Airshow

  • Warbirds Over Scone Air Show 2022

    Warbirds Over Scone Air Show 2022

    Warbirds Over Scone Air Show 2022

    Having purchased tickets pre-covid, we were pleased to be finally going to the Warbirds Over Scone 2022. Unfortunately, the wet weather that has plagued the summer in Eastern Australia paid a visit. The Sunday we attended was particularly wet. Constant showers and low cloud cover resulted in no planes taking off, which was understandable. You do not put pilots at risk, just for an air show. Anyway, we did get to see the planes on the ground, even if not flying.

    Some planes were able to fly the day before, so people who attended on Saturday saw the warbirds in the sky. The big drawcard this year were three Spitfires, four P-51 Mustangs and four P-40 Kittyhawk fighters. This was a record for an Australian air show, with crowds on Saturday seeing them in the sky all together.

    Getting There

    Driving the hour from Singleton to Scone was an easy drive, despite the wet weather. Parking at the airport was well organised, with a field opposite the entrance set up for cars.

    Tickets

    We purchased gold tickets online beforehand, but because of covid the air show was delayed almost two years. With no planes flying due to the weather, the advantage of gold class, which was grandstand seating to get a better view of the flying was not there. Because the planes were directly in front of us, we had a close-up view of them. Unfortunately, there was no undercover seating here, so we spent some time in the general admission area, where we could shelter from the rain.

    The Air Show

    Walking around the airfield we saw the planes that were on display, with several we had not seen before. This included several of the Spitfires and P-51s.

    By midday, the organisers cancelled all flying for the day, but opened the flight line, so that spectators could get up close to the warbirds. We thought this was a great fall-back option and jumped at the opportunity. Being able to get up close to the warbirds and talk to the owners and pilots was a real bonus.

    We also spoke to the owner of one of the kubelwagens (a German car from World War Two). It turned out to be a survivor from the Battle of Kursk on the Eastern Front. He was great to talk to and very knowledgeable about its history and historic armour vehicles in general.

    So, despite the weather and no flying, we saw some great planes, armoured vehicles and spoke to some interesting people. Not the day we had planned, but still fun.

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

  • Wings Over Illawarra 2018

    Wings Over Illawarra 2018

    Wings Over Illawarra 2018

    This amazing Airshow was held at the Illawarra Regional Airport at Albion Park Rail. Located just south of Wollongong in  Shellharbour the setting was beautiful with the amazing Illawarra Escarpment providing a great backdrop to the show. Wings Over Illawarra 2018 had an excellent combination of warbirds, aerobatics and modern RAAF aircraft

    We stayed in Wollongong the night before at Sage Hotel. Located near Wollongong Beach. We had a leisurely evening and morning before driving to the Airshow. Parking was well organised with two off site areas and shuttle buses running to the event.

    Tickets

    Having purchased tickets on-line entry was quick and easy after which we walked around the static displays dotted around the airfield. Unfortunately, many were parked on the far side of the airfield, so it was difficult to get a good view of them.

    Historical Aircraft Restoration Society

    The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society is based at the airport and had its hangers open and aircraft on display.  They have an impressive collection including a Qantas Boeing 747, Super Constellation, Neptune, Orion, DC4 and. Southern Cross replica. There was also a Catalina open for a walk through for a small $5 donation. A great experience having never been in one before. Nearby was an F111, Sabre, Hunter and many other aircraft.

    Consolidated PBY5A Catalina Historical Aircraft Restoration Society www.destinationsjourney.com
    Consolidated PBY5A Catalina

    Air Display

    The air display followed the advertised program. 

    10:10

      • Opening Ceremony

    10:30

      • RAAF Roulettes Formation Aerobatic Team
      • 2 x RAAF F/A-18 Hornets Arrive
      • MH-60R Seahawk Romeo
      • RAAF C27J Spartan

    11:30

      • RAAF C-17 Globemaster III
      • Beech-18
      • Rebel 300
      • Boeing Stearman
      • North American T-6 Harvard
      • CAC CA-3 Wirraway

    12:30

      • Paul Andronicou in the Extra 330SC
      • North American T-28 Trojan
      • Grumman TBM-3 Avenger
      • WWII Fighters
        • Hawker Hurricane
        • Supermarine Spitfire
        • CAC CA-18 Mk21 Mustang
        • Focke Wulf FW-190

    13:45

      • Paul Bennet in the Wolf Pitts Pro
      • Marchetti S-211 Formation Display
      • Steadfast Yakovlev Yak 3U
      • Russian Roolettes Formation Team

    14:30

      • Pitts Model 12
      • Sky Aces Formation Aerobatics Display Team
      • L-39C Albatros
      • BAC Jet Provost T5A

    15:30

      • RAAF Hawk 127
      • Matt Hall in the MXS-R
      • CAC CA-27 Mk32 Sabre
      • RAAF F/A-18 Hornet with “Wall of Fire”

    16:30

      • Show Close

    RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan Wings Over Illawarra 2018 www.destinationsjourney.com
    RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan

    Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 36 SQN RAAF Wings Over Illawarra 2018 DestinationsJourney.com
    Boeing C-17A Globemaster III

    Aeromacchi S-211 Wings Over Illawarra 2018 DestinationsJourney.com
    Aeromacchi S-211

    Grumman Avenger Wings Over Illawarra 2018 www.destinationsjourney.com
    Grumman Avenger

    Beech 18 Wings Over Illawarra 2018 www.destinationsjourney.com
    Beech 18

    Beech 18 Wings Over Illawarra 2018 www.destinationsjourney.com
    Beech 18

    RAAF Roulettes Aerobatic Team Pilatus PC-9 Wings Over Illawarra 2018 www.destinationsjourney.com
    RAAF Roulettes Aerobatic Team

    This was an excellent mix of display types and kept everyone entertained for the day. For a better view and good seating next time, we will splash out and buy gold passes. This guarantees front row seats in the grandstand at the centre of the rune way.