Volume 48, No. 7, May 04, 2006
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An
F-111 impresses the crowds with a ‘dump and burn’
at the RAAF Museum’s biennial air pageant.
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The
pilot of this A77 Gloster Meteor taxis on the runway as
part of the RAAF Museum’s air pageant.
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Photos
courtesy
RAAF Museum Point Cook
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AIR
Force warbirds gave 20,000 people a thrill last month when they
took to the skies above Victoria’s RAAF Museum Point Cook.
A C-130 and AP-3C, veterans of operations in the Middle East Area
of Operations, joined a Hawk and F-111 at the museum’s biennial
air pageant on April 9. The pageant’s theme was the “evolution
of Air Force flight”.
Museum Director David Gardner said that 2006 marked the 85th anniversary
of the world’s second oldest air force.
“Since its humble beginnings, the Air Force has evolved into
a modern expeditionary combat force capable of the swift and decisive
application of aerospace power,” he said.
“The Museum normally displays historic aircraft, but this
year we complemented them with some current military hardware.
“The evolution of Air Force flight was no more evident than
the presence of Air Force’s latest platform, the Hawk, which
was preceded by one of WWI’s most successful and diminutive
fighter/trainers, the Sopwith Pup.
“On the ground, visitors viewed Air Force’s rich heritage
on display in the Heritage Gallery while the Air Force Central
Band entertained them with tunes from the classics through to
popular music of the day.”
The Commando Skydiver Team, displaying the large Air Force Ensign,
opened the pageant with a splash, followed by the C-130.
In the past, the pageant has been limited to historic, piston-powered
aircraft. This year, however, in keeping with the theme, a range
of former and current Air Force jets participated. They included
a Vampire, a Meteor, an F-111 and a Hawk; a representation of
all jets operated by the Air Force from the first to the latest.
The AP-3C provided a short handling demonstration, while the Roulettes
demonstrated optimum formation-flying and aerobatics.
“The Museum demonstrated that air pageants and historic aircraft
flying continue to be safe, provided rules are set and displays
are properly planned and regulated,” Mr Gardner said.
“The flights and handling displays, which don’t demonstrate
even a fraction of the aircraft’s potential, provided our
visitors with hours of entertainment.
“The participating aviators sacrifice their time, talent
and money just to keep the dream of flight alive.
“Museum staff and volunteers, Combat Support Unit Williams’
Security Police and 21SQN personnel had a tremendous and tiring
weekend, but the results of showcasing Air Force heritage were
worth the effort,” he said.
