Time flies when you’re having fun
RAAF drew strong crowds at the recent Warbirds Over Scone air show, bringing heritage aircraft, specialist teams and talented musicians to one of the Hunter Valley’s biggest aviation events.
CAPTION: Seven heritage air-force aircraft fly in formation. Story by Squadron Leader Shaun Donnelly. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Stewart Gould.
The Royal Australian Air Force has been part of the Hunter community for more than 80 years and the air show displays highlighted that connection.
From 100 Squadron warbird aircraft to military working dogs and live music, the program showcased the people and capability that shape Australia’s air power.
Crowds lined the fence as 100 Squadron led the flying program with the Lockheed Hudson, Spitfire Mk VIII, CAC Mustang and Wirraway – each aircraft giving spectators a close look at Australia’s military aviation history.
The flying displays built towards a powerful finale – the traditional balbo formation led by the Hudson and joined by multiple Spitfires, Mustangs and Kittyhawks.
CAPTION: An A16-112 Hudson prepares to take flight.
On the ground, the military working dog handlers from 26 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, drew strong interest, while the RAAF Balloon crews added colour and heat with a burner display.
Between flying acts, the Royal Australian Air Force Rock Band kept the crowd energised with modern tunes and classics that all could enjoy.
Flight Lieutenant Chris Tulk, 100 Squadron Mustang pilot, said the day was about celebrating the region’s long relationship with the Royal Australian Air Force.
“The Hunter Valley has been home to generations of air-force people, and events like this remind us that air power is ultimately about people,” he said.
“Those who serve, those who support us, and the communities we belong to.”
Flight Lieutenant Tulk said heritage flying remained a powerful way to connect with Australians.
“When either Mustang or an F-35 passes overhead, it reminds us that air power has always been about the people.
“It’s their skill, their service and their stories.”
The Royal Australian Air Force’s presence at Warbirds Over Scone showed its commitment to the community and its proud place in the Hunter region.
EDITOR’S NOTE: CONTACT believes RAAF is deliberately dropping ‘Royal Australian’ from its name – despite Defence formally assuring us it isn’t true.
The immense irony of this issue is that, at an event designed to showcase the proud history and heritage of the RAAF, the words ‘Royal Australian’ did not appear in the above story even once, until CONTACT amended it appropriately. Read about our campaign against this name-change-by-stealth here
CAPTION: CA-18 Mustang from No 100 Squadron, Point Cook, Victoria taxiing out during the Warbirds over Scone Airshow.
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But where were the heritage aviation jets of the 1950’s and 1960’s e.g. Sabre Jet Fighter, Meteor Jet Fighter, Vampire jet Fighter, Canberra Jet Bomber, Mirage Fighter, in the air or was there a quantum leap from prop Mustangs and Spitfires to 4th, 5th generation F-18’s and F-35’s? If your going to have heritage airshows at least have such heritage jets taxi-ing, moving up and down the runway, if not flying, lest we forget we did have a 1950’s – 1980’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation jets and if you have none flying locally, import such flying examples from overseas where they are flying for some nation wide demos and don’t say we haven’t the resources for such, if we can afford around $80 – $100 million or so for each F-35.