Our wishes come true
Luck was finally on the ADF's side when the Defence Air Show was held at RAAF Base Amberley on October 2-3, says Wing Commander Ken Llewellyn. What a great show it was.

	No. 82 Wing photographer LAC Robert Mitchell (centre back) meets Mike Porter, Darryl Zimmermann and Patrick Urqhart, who are posing as WWII German aviators. They belong to an re-enactment group, Army Group South (Brisbane).
	Photo by FSGT Glen McCarthy
	SGT Mark Baker shows two boys some of the firefighter clothing and protective equipment used by Air Force.
	Photo by AC David Gibbs
	LAC Timothy Taylor, of No. 6 Squadron, displays squadron memorabilia for sale.
	Photo by FSGT Glen McCarthy
	A P51 Mustang taxies past an F-111 at the Defence Air Show at RAAF Base Amberley. Several old aircraft took part in the show.
	Photo by LAC Steve Hobbs
	LAC Pete Hawcroft fires a Mag 58 during a display at the show.
	Photo by AC David Gibbs
	CPL Lugton shows Mark and Pete Coward the Chinook engine’s finer points.
	Photo by AC David Gibbs
	CPL Krichelle Oldis, from No. 33 Squadron, and LAC Danial Moir, from No. Combat Communication Squadron, at 33SQN’s display.
	Photo by CPL Rodney Skilton
	Roulettes adopt an eagle formation to pull up for a loop at the air show.
	Photo by WOFF Ray Bennell

MORE than 80,000 patrons attended the two-day Defence Air Show in brilliant Queensland sunshine.

The organisers were very nervous – was there going to be another glitch? In 1996 the Air Force’s 75th anniversary show was cancelled because cyclonic rains turned parking areas into bogs.

And the 80th anniversary show in 2001 was cancelled because of terrorist concerns following September 11.

Few people knew, but a United States Air Force Stealth aircraft was scheduled as the surprise for our 75th to complement the three B1s on the tarmac while the USAF aerobatic team, Thunderbirds, was going to make a well-publicised appearance for the 80th.

Unfortunately, there was no USAF presence this year, but the Republic of Singapore Air Force provided two Super Pumas from their detachment at Oakey. It was “touch and go” whether it was going ahead at all.

Two days before show time, Head of Special Events, Air Commodore Des Long, had to face the reality he might have to cancel for a third time!

During a mowing operation, tinder dry grass had caught fire in a public parking area. Luckily, a downpour on the night before the opening eased any concerns. The Amberley Defence Air Show took 18 months to plan.

It was the jewel in a five-year rolling program and the only airshow in the program of open days across all major bases, plus Tasmania and Canberra.

To date, open days have been held at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, Hobart in Tasmania and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.

It was the first time an air show at a RAAF base was publicised and run as a Defence Air Show.

More than 50 aircraft took part in the event. From the ever popular Roulettes, the Navy’s No. 723 Squadron “Squirrel Dance” and the great show put on by the Army’s inventory of helicopters, it was a show to be remembered.

Without doubt, the highlight was the stunning display by Squadron Leader Steve Stewart in the imposing F-111.

The current generation of ADF aircraft were complemented by a P-51 Mustang from the RAAF Museum, flown by ex-Roulette pilot Peter Clements, and other warbirds, including the Wirraway and T28 Trojan.

More than 30 civilian and warbird aircraft took part. The finale to the show was spectacular, with F/A-18s, Hawks, Caribou, C-130s and eight Army helicopters combining to have the spectators on their toes.

Two F-111s, with an ever-popular “duo dump and burn”, gave the crowd memories they won’t forget.

And, finally, a Navy Seahawk flew past carrying a massive Australian flag. Advance Australia Fair played in the background. The 2004 show was huge success.

CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston congratulated AIRCDRE Long’s planning team on a magnificent effort.

“All the team are highly skilled Reservists whose expertise has been built-up and tempered during many years of service,” AIRMSHL Houston said.

“They worked long hours with minimum staff to ensure success.”

Head of Operations Group Captain John Ward was singled out for special mention for his “superb job in putting together a very safe yet entertaining three and a half hour airshow”.

Great credit must also be directed to ground support manager, Wing Commander Rod Neilson, who controlled and supervised GPCAPT Ward’s frenetic output.

Others AIRCDRE Long credited for their work were Squadron Leaders Dennis Deering (logistics) and Gary Ayre (deputy operations manager), airfield engineer Sergeant Ken Kurtz and his team from No. 24 (City of Adelaide) Squadron, and Warrant Officers Bob Grosser (traffic and parking), Dennis Doggett (exhibitions and displays), Dave Gill (operations support), Dan Denison (transport).

The airshow was run in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the City of Ipswich. Support was also received from Navy, Army, Queensland Police, the Department of Main Roads, SES, Boeing, St John’s Ambulance and the Australian Air Force Cadets.

As the last of the enthusiasts left the airfield on Sunday, a stiff north-westerly breeze had the plastic tapes on the crowd barriers singing. However, beyond the barriers it appeared a large grass fire had sprung up.

As we were about to take action, we realised it was the venerable B707 tanker about to depart – its Pratt and Whitney jets blowing-up a massive dust storm.

Sadly, it will probably be the last time the ex-Qantas “war horse” will be seen at an Amberley airshow.

It was time for the planning team to raise their glasses for their hard work and an outstanding two-day show. Indeed it was third time lucky.

WGCDR Ken Llewelyn, Deputy Director Special Events, was on the planning team for the show.

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