Up, up and away...
Albatross air show a huge hit

DUET: The RAN Pairs Flying Display Team in action.

APPRECIATIVE:A large crowd was on hand to enjoy the sun and static aircraft displays during the show

A very special guest

Pioneering Australian aviatrix, Nancy Bird-Walton, OBE, was a special guest on the day. Mrs Bird-Walton signed copies of her book, My God! it’s a Woman which spans her flying career in the outback, her travels in Europe and America and her flying comeback in the 1950s.

CROWD PLEASERS: The Sea King and Seahawk display proved very popular with onlookers on the day.

Volume 49, No. 6, April 20, 2006

Acrowd of up to 7,000 enjoyed a spectacular air pageant conducted by the Museum of Flight at HMAS Albatross last month.

The varied flying program included demonstrations by 1930s aircraft such as the De Havilland Rapide, Tiger Moths, a US Navy Stearman trainer, the former Ansett Airlines’ first DC-3 of 1938 and other classics.

Displays were flown by aerobatic champions Tom Moon, Pip Borrman, Matt Hall and John Sharpe in specialist aerobatic aircraft and by the Red Baron aero team in Pitts Specials.

The Royal Australian Navy’s 723 Squadron Squirrel helicopters entertained the crowd with their popular Squirrel Dance routine.

On static display were Seahawk, Sea King and Seasprite helicopters of the other Squadrons.
More than 50 vintage cars formed a display of vehicles of the 1930s which also proved to be popular among visitors to the air pageant.

“While planes of this vintage may feature on their own at an air show, it is rare to see these classic aircraft fly together,” said Museum Director, Neil Ralph.

“Our aim was to demonstrate just how amazing a time this was in aviation.
“Visitors were able to compare the grace of the classic aircraft with seven daredevil aerobatic pilots who performed solo hair-raising routines. “We also wanted to relate what was happening in the air during the 1930s to what people knew about the period.”

People dressed up in period costume, Army’s big band played, swing dancers demonstrated their prowess and there were parades of the fashions and famous characters of the time.

During the 1930s, aircraft flew over the North and South Poles and Mount Everest. Women participated in some of these pioneering feats, Amelia Earhart became a household name. Significant advances in aviation technology resulted in record-breaking and racing aircraft.

One of the very special guests during the air pageant was Nancy Bird-Walton, OBE.
Ms Bird-Walton was on hand to sign copies of her book, My God! it’s a woman.
The book details her colourful flying career both here and overseas. and a well deserved retirement.

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