Squirrel pair attract racing nuts

Collection reins supreme

AERIAL POETRY: The 723 SQN Squirrel pairs display was a winner with the Formula 1 racing crowd.

By Peter Johnson

In the air and on the ground, 723 and 816 Squadrons completed successful deployments to the Fosters Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne.

The 723 SQN Squirrel pairs display team delighted Grand Prix crowds with its aerial artistry, while the static 816 SQN Seahawk on show on the golf course display area attracted plenty of interest.

This was the first time the Squirrel pairs display team had performed at the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and members of the team assessed it as a potential hit at future events, judging by crowd reaction.

The 723 SQN detachment, led by LCDR Neil Gunn, comprised three Squirrels, the third aircraft to support the team, act as a spare, and provide a static display in the ADF display area.

Lead Squirrel pilot, LCDR Dominic Cooper, and wing pilot LEUT Darryl Humphreys, assisted by LEUT Gair Bowbyes and SBLT Wan Yu, conducted displays over the circuit for the four days of the race meeting.

No 723 SQN maintenance personnel LEUT Adrian Sorensen, LS Christopher Hagedoorn and LS Christopher Hunt manned the static display and carried out work on the aircraft to enable the display to take place.

LCDR Cooper said that the display team and the RAN received excellent media coverage and favourable comment from spectators and officials alike.

“Many of the crowd commented on the amazing manoeuvrability of the Squirrel aircraft and uniqueness of the flying performance.

“The Albert Park Lake area utilised for the display enabled the team to maximise the viewing area for the crowd with good views available from most parts of the track and the spectator grandstands,” he said.

The 816 SQN detachment commander, LCDR Mark Whanslaw, said the Seahawk attracted larger numbers of visitors than last year, and members of the detachment handed out plenty of posters.

“It gives us an opportunity to meet people and let them know something about what the premier ASW squadron in the RAN does.

It was a worthwhile visit for the Seahawk,” he said.

Clipsal 500: bigger, better, best

HI-TECH ATTRACTION: PO Marc Henderson from DFR SA discusses different trades available in the ADF with a young fan.

Adelaide turned on brilliant weather, unrelenting excitement and entertainment on and off the track for the 2006 Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar challenge held at the end of March.

With a total attendance figure of over 270,000 for the four days, the RAN Band SA Detachment was kept busy entertaining patrons while Sea King fly-bys before both races also thrilled the crowds.

- By Capt Sandra Turner

 

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