OK, there was the trade days on a previous thread, but this is the airshow. I've included a bit of everything, but a bias towards the warbirds - of course.
I went to the show on the Saturday with a friend's family, and the weather wasn't much fun and I didn't get many pics; Sunday the weather was better, but the cloud hung around and there was a mean wind all day.
Of the three Avalon shows I've been to (1992, 2005 and 2007) this was undoubtedly the least impressive in terms of aircraft - either variety or numbers, and the impression I get was that they'd not bothered at all in getting any 'extra' performers for the show days. All fine, except, like the Formula 1 car racing, the Victorian state government is handing over a large lump of cash to an organisation that should make a clear profit...
To be fair to the organisers, with the new heavy metal, they were in a gap in major contracts - nothing major in either civil or military or Australian or Pacific opportunities coming up, and a number of recent ones just signed.
You'll also note no Airbus A-380 or Boeing 707, a poor effort by Qantas. The 707 was scheduled to appear at the Sydney Harbour bridge 75th anniversary, but there were 'paperwork' problems that stopped it; most of the scheduled flying also didn't eventuate there for other reasons.
That's the negatives, and if that seems a little less than positive, bear in mind the show was promoted as 'best in the world' and more realistically 'one of the best'. It was a long way from either accolade.
On the positive side there was some stunning flying, the Boeing test-pilot in the Super Hornet was spectacular, the Italians in their cargo twin turbo prop, and the RAAF did a good job with the four Hornet display, Roulettes, F-111 an Neptune.
Anyway, on with the motley:
The Australian Army's new toy.
The HARS Neptune didn't fly during the show.
The fibreglass (solid) model of the Bell X-1. Chuck Yeager decided to be photographed against some other aircraft...
There were four Daks on show, three of which flew.
Many of the warbird operators aren't interested any more, and stay away. Alan Arthur's P-40 from South Australia was one present, seen here with the RAAF Museum's CAC Mustang. Toothy.
Jim Wickham in the Yak.
VH-BOB, operated by Bob Eastgate, and the RAAF Museum's Mustang.
One of the many Nanchangs in Australia, this one with a great scheme...
One of the highlights was the wingovers and (here) rolls by the Italian Spartan transport.
It's behind you...
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