Avalon Int. Airshow, Victoria, Australia. Thus, Trade...

[JDK]

Just a few mixed shots I grabbed while doing other stuff at the penultimate trade day at Avalon. It's just a flavour, and the flightline's sparse, as there's a fair number of aircraft not arrived, and I don't think it's a show that's going to match up to the earlier years in numbers and spread. That said, it should be a good day out, if you like noisy things.

Apologies for the frozen props and odd compositions on some - they were, literally a quick whizz around the huge acreage, and grabs between talks, meetings and stuff.

No captions as I'm knackered, and off to a couple of jobs tomorrow before the full fury on the weekend.

Hope folks like it. There's a fair bit of American built squirty things, and BDK, clearly the RAAF haven't broken the C-17 yet.

[JDK]

[JDK]

Any queries, I'll be delighted to try and answer when I get a chance, but I'll be there or asleep, or working, mostly.

[mustangdriver]

Some cool stuff there man. I love that F-111 display. Also like the Neptune, and the Eurocopter stuff.

[JDK]

Some cool stuff there man. I love that F-111 display.

Wait'll you see Friday night's F-111 display...

[K5DH]

Thanks for the Connie picture! That one really made my day! It's sad that we only have one flying Connie left in the USA.

If you happen to stroll by the Raytheon chalet in your travels about the show, I'd appreciate it if you could pick up some of their "gimme" items and mail them to me. Of course I'll gladly repay the postage costs. I work for Raytheon and I'm always on the lookout for promo items and goodies. I have a very nice Raytheon Australia baseball cap from the 2005 Avalon show.

Cheers!

[T33driver]

Some cool stuff there man. I love that F-111 display.

Wait'll you see Friday night's F-111 display...

James,

Terrific shots of an eclectic mix of aircraft! Is the Sabre flyable?

I seem to recall the F-111 having the ability to dump fuel then ignite it into a giant flame trail. Is this what's in store for the night display?

[mrhenniger]

Thanks James. You did pretty well for just running around. Wish I was there.

Mike

[Dennis7423]

Hey, is that Gary's C-47 cockpit...

-Dennis S.
Greeley, CO

[retroaviation]

Hey, is that Gary's C-47 cockpit...

No, but that trailer sure looks like a good idea.

Gary

[Nathan]

Oh, I ust love that Wirraway. It is so authentic, which is what I really like to see in a warbird. Great pics! Thanks for sharing!

-Nate

[Ollie]

Whoa, a MP Smart!



Thanks for sharing James!

[JDK]

Some cool stuff there man. I love that F-111 display.

Wait'll you see Friday night's F-111 display...

Well, I didn't as we had the (much-welcome) rain come through this evening, and I gave it away - didn't even go, as it was a long way for a marginal chance of flying and a certanty of getting wet.

Thanks for the Connie picture! That one really made my day! It's sad that we only have one flying Connie left in the USA.

If you happen to stroll by the Raytheon chalet in your travels about the show, I'd appreciate it if you could pick up some of their "gimme" items and mail them to me...

Hi k5dh,
I doubt there'll be anything left, but I'll see what I can do - no promises. Yes, HARS do a good job operating the Connie, C-47 (Daks) and Neptune among others.

Terrific shots of an eclectic mix of aircraft! Is the Sabre flyable?

I seem to recall the F-111 having the ability to dump fuel then ignite it into a giant flame trail. Is this what's in store for the night display?

Hi T33driver,
The Sabre in the pics is the RAAF Museum's, and is the prototype Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Sabre. It's a highly historic aircraft, as it was the first aircraft to break the sound barrier over Melbourne, in an era when that was a positive news item. Some rate the CAC Sabre as the best of the breed, with two Aden cannon, rather than those six weeny mgs, and the RR Avon engine. Funny that we can't get the Canucks or the Yanks to agree on that though. It's not airworthy, and is regarded as too valuable to fly; and as far as I know there's no CAC Sabres flying anywhere in the world, although there are examples in the USA - guess no-one wants to show up the local product.

The good news is that the Temora Aviation Museum are undergoing a programme to restore the RAAF Museum's other main Sabre, A94-983 to airworthy. This was the last airworthy example of the breed, and there's at least another in NZ where rumour has it as under rebuild to fly.

The RAAF's F-111 'dump n' burn is an eye opener and a crowd pleaser. I hope to show some current pics later this weekend. Never found out why the USAF never seem to have tried it (AFAIK.)

Oh, I ust love that Wirraway. It is so authentic, which is what I really like to see in a warbird. Great pics! Thanks for sharing!

Glad you liked them. It's a nice Wirraway; based up in Queensland, and the scheme's a bit of a mixture of original schemes, but it's a very important type in Australia's history.

Thanks James. You did pretty well for just running around. Wish I was there.

Thasnks Mike. My feet are killing me. The ground is very uneven, and the airfield is huge, with stuff scattered all over.

Whoa, a MP Smart!

Isn't it unbeatable? It's kinda military chic, but I can't see it in serious use. I mean where'd you put the prisoners? It was funny the blokes on the stand were giving very unfriendly looks to picture takes. I think they were feeling a bit sensitive because of all the laughing and pointing...

Thanks for sharing James!

Glad everyone liked them.

[T33driver]

[/quote]
Hi T33driver,
The Sabre in the pics is the RAAF Museum's, and is the prototype Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Sabre. It's a highly historic aircraft, as it was the first aircraft to break the sound barrier over Melbourne, in an era when that was a positive news item. Some rate the CAC Sabre as the best of the breed, with two Aden cannon, rather than those six weeny mgs, and the RR Avon engine. Funny that we can't get the Canucks or the Yanks to agree on that though. It's not airworthy, and is regarded as too valuable to fly; and as far as I know there's no CAC Sabres flying anywhere in the world, although there are examples in the USA - guess no-one wants to show up the local product.

The good news is that the Temora Aviation Museum are undergoing a programme to restore the RAAF Museum's other main Sabre, A94-983 to airworthy. This was the last airworthy example of the breed, and there's at least another in NZ where rumour has it as under rebuild to fly.

The RAAF's F-111 'dump n' burn is an eye opener and a crowd pleaser. I hope to show some current pics later this weekend. Never found out why the USAF never seem to have tried it (AFAIK.)
[/quote]

James,

You're very likely quite right on the CAC Sabre being "best of show" and I'm aware of it's impressive pedigree. If one compares it side by side to the late model NA F-86E and the Canadair Mk 6, the race tightens a bit, but with the thrust on the Avon engine and the firepower of the Aden cannon, I agree it would be hard to beat. The Canadair Sabre Mk 6 is regarded by jet warbird guys around here as the best one to own/fly perhaps because there are no flying CAC examples to be had in North America?? Perhaps there are difficulties maintaining/supporting the Avon engine? I don't know. Now you've got me curious. Believe me, as a pilot/owner, I'd happily show up the local product with a Canadair Mk 6 or CAC Sabre if performance and maintenance/supportability are better than the original manufacturer. Perhaps the lack of recognition of the CAC Sabre from Canucks and Yanks may be a case of "out of sight, out of mind". Anyway, that's a fascinating history on the aircraft in your photos and it's a good thing it's not going to fly since it is such an important piece of history. Great post!