Avalon Airshow 2011 - Pics.

[Homestar]

As requested, a few pics from Avalon to get started. These are all on the ground, as my camera, and my skills using it are a bit limited. One of the other Sparkies on site has all the whiz bang gear, and knows how to use it, so there will be some action shots coming once I get him to copy them for me.

Forgive any errors in my descriptions, as I am not an airplane buff, and was taking notes from a friend while I was taking these - he knows his stuff, but I may have mixed up a few things...

2 x F22 Raptors were flying in tonight for their first touchdown on Australian soil, but no one is sure how tight security will be with these, so I may not be able to get any close ups, but we'll see...

So. to start with, here are a couple of shots of Australian FA-18's

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11034.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/SDC11049.jpg


Ye Olde F-16
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11047.jpg

U.S - B1 Bomber
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11038.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11035.jpg

U.S. refuelling tanker for the 2 x B1's - Boeing something or other - forgot what he said... :p
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11041.jpg

Black Hawk
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11037.jpg

And lastly (for the moment) this funny looking plane with heavy duty landing gear, and no wings... :D
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11053.jpg

Cheers - Gav.

[Hoges]

,,,

[Hoges]

...

[Hoges]

The tanker is designated as a KC-10. It's derived from the civilian McDonnell Douglas DC-10 wide body aircraft. One of the civilian planes once lost an engine ...as in : engine became detached from the wing on landing
:( Hmmm ... now, where's that invoice for high tensile bolts?:angel:

PS re. the F-22 ...maybe a US Airshow joke ...they used to advertise the fly-in of the stealth planes ...when people asked when is the B2 etc coming they'd reply, didn't you see it...well it is a stealth fighter... I suspect same might be the case with the F-22...we'll see...or then perhaps ...maybe not!:p:twisted:

[wrinklearthur]

The tanker is designated as a KC-10. It's derived from the civilian McDonnell Douglas DC-10 wide body aircraft. One of the civilian planes once lost an engine ...as in : engine became detached from the wing on landing
:( Hmmm ... now, where's that invoice for high tensile bolts?:angel:


Just as well it wasnt the top engine that fell off. :wasntme:
Perhaps the bolts were forgotten to be picked up, hence no invoice. :angel:

Cheers Arthur

[juddy]

Is avalon a military base/reserve field??? as the tow truck is a military spec one, and theres a lot of ground equipment about.

[numpty]

Is avalon a military base/reserve field??? as the tow truck is a military spec one, and theres a lot of ground equipment about.

No,but they did assemble and test the FA 18's there in bygone years. Avalon was also a Qantas training flight centre.

GAF was there originally and is where the Nomad was built. Avalon is now one of Jetstars destinations, depending on where the flight originates from.

Hope that helps.;)

[Hoges]

Yeah...I seem to recall Lindsay Fox of trucking fame either bought or secured a long term lease on the Avalon facility a few years from the Fed Govt when they privatised several major airports.

[Homestar]

Yeah...I seem to recall Lindsay Fox of trucking fame either bought or secured a long term lease on the Avalon facility a few years from the Fed Govt when they privatised several major airports.

Yep, he owns it, but I beleive it is up for sale if you are interested...:D I think he wants to tip a bucket load of money into a development of the Phillip Island race track - he owns that too, and wants to add hotels, resorts etc around the track to make it a world class facility.

Hoges, thanks for the info on the tanker that I didn't know, and re the F-22's - I'll keep you posted. They were on the internal schedule to land at 1800 and 1803 yesterday evening, but I won't be on site again until tomorrow, but I'll make some calls to see if anything turned up...

Cheers - Gav.

[Homestar]

The F-22's turned up... I'll try and hunt up a few pics.

[VladTepes]

pics ? pics ? pics ? are we there yet ?

[Homestar]

So, here are some pics of the F-22 Raptors that flew in last night. You can get quite close, but there was an big angry looking man with a dog & a gun standing by just in case someone wanted a closer look...:D

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11059.jpg

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11060.jpg

[VladTepes]

Cool. Thanks for posting those.

[Homestar]

No probs - more to come tomorrow I hope. Should have a bit more time to wander around and take photos tomorrow, now everything is up and running. That is unless another one of my gensets craps itself in the mean time... like one did this morning :mad:

[juddy]

Great pics thanks..

Did the yanks bring in any other support aircraft??? were they using there own guards on the F22

[Homestar]

Great pics thanks..

Did the yanks bring in any other support aircraft??? were they using there own guards on the F22

Yes and not sure. There is something next to the F-22's that came over with them, but not a tanker like what came over with the B1's, it is big, grey and has 4 jets and 2 wings :D I'll find out what it is tomorrow. There are a couple of other yank planes there including a B-52. I'll get some pics of this, but I'll have to be a fair way from it to fit it all in the photo, as it is HUGE!

I think the guards are local, as they have dogs, and I would have thought quarantine laws would stop US dogs coming over, but I could be wrong.

Cheers - Gav

[juddy]

Yes and not sure. There is something next to the F-22's that came over with them, but not a tanker like what came over with the B1's, it is big, grey and has 4 jets and 2 wings :D I'll find out what it is tomorrow. There are a couple of other yank planes there including a B-52. I'll get some pics of this, but I'll have to be a fair way from it to fit it all in the photo, as it is HUGE!

I think the guards are local, as they have dogs, and I would have thought quarantine laws would stop US dogs coming over, but I could be wrong.

Cheers - Gav

Thanks again, i bet the Buff looks good...

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Is Avalon 2011 over or will it still be on this coming weekend?

Reason: A friend is heading down and if it's over he's in for a wasted trip! :confused:

Oops http://www.airshow.net.au/avalon2011/index.html 1 through 6 March 2011

[Homestar]

Is Avalon 2011 over or will it still be on this coming weekend?

Reason: A friend is heading down and if it's over he's in for a wasted trip! :confused:

Oops AVALON 2011 - AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW AND AEROSPACE & DEFENCE EXPOSITION - 1-6 March 2011 GEELONG VICTORIA (http://www.airshow.net.au/avalon2011/index.html) 1 through 6 March 2011

Looks like you answered your own question. :p The public days are Friday through to Sunday. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are trade days where the big $$$ changes hands before the public get in. The planes have been coming in before that, so I got a head start, as I am working down there.

Friday night is the best time to go - they only have 1 night show which goes to 9.30pm, with pyrotechnics and all sorts of good stuff - but I won't be there for that, as the Rangie needs a bit of TLC before the Greendale weekend which is this weekend.

[Homestar]

More pics from today. Got most of the names of these right I think, but a couple of them slipped my mind. I'll break the posts up into groups. This one will be U.S. planes

Starting with the big buggars - B-52
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/2011_Airshow_26_02-1-14.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11074-1.jpg

C-17 - this thing makes a Hercules look clostrophobic.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11100.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11097.jpg

KC-135R Stratotanker - this was the fuel escort for the F-22's
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11066.jpg

AWACS
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/2011_Airshow_26_02-1-16.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11072.jpg

More to follow...

[Homestar]

Some Aussie stuff, and other planes...

Aussie C-17
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11101.jpg

Hercules
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11085.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11092.jpg

Australias version of the AWACS - can't remember what it was called...:p
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/2011_02_25_pic_14.jpg

The Jelly Belly - this guy is mad - drags the wings on the ground, and lands the plane on a moving F250 pick up with a platform on the roof...
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/2011_02_25_pic_19.jpg

This came in the other day for a bit of work I think.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/2011_Airshow_22_02_1_of_1-8.jpg

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/2011_02_25_pic_21.jpg


http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/2011_02_25_pic_23.jpg

[Homestar]

Bushmaster
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11109.jpg

Tank - of some desciption - help me out here peoples, I don't know what sort - it was the same one I took a pic of as it came in the other day...
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11108.jpg

And finally something that fits in a bit better on this Forum...
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11110.jpg

Not sure if I'm getting back there this week, as I have other things on now, but I should be getting some more pics from others next week - If anyone is still interested, I can post some more then. I hope you have enjoyed my quick run down of what is on site. There is also lots of small planes and corporate jets and things, but I don't have any idea of one from the next, so I haven't posted these. I found the Military stuff the most interesting.

Cheers - Gav :)

[VladTepes]

Some Aussie stuff, and other planes...


Australias version of the AWACS - can't remember what it was called...:p
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/airshow2/SDC11084.jpg


It's caleld the Wedgetail

Defence Materiel Organisation (http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/dceod/air5077/air5077.cfm)

[brno465]

Great pics, thanks for posting.

[juddy]

Great pics, i see the RAAF are purchasing another C-17, will be huge help... what with all the ongoing commitments they have..

[juddy]

A security personnel guards a US Air Force F-22 fighter on the opening day of the Australian International Airshow, Aerospace and Defence Expo in Melbourne.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/1237.jpg
Members of the US Air Force prepare an F-16 fighter for a performance on the opening day of the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/1238.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/1238.jpg

A US Air Force Sea-Hawk Helicopter stands in front of a B-52 Bomber on runway on the opening day of the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Expo in Melbourne
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/1239.jpg

[Homestar]

A few final pics I took at the Airshow on Friday morning - the first public day, and there were a lot of planes coming in from all over. This lot is of some of the more histric machines. I don't know the names of all of them, but tincluded here, is a Spitfire, Constellation & a Catalina.

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11136.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11132.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11126.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11125.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11116.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11115.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11114.jpg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j443/Bacicat2000/Air%20Show%202011/SDC11113.jpg


Cheers - Gav

[jsp]

I must say I was quite dissapointed with the airshow, both in its general running/management and in its planning. I can understand a number of key planes had mechanical issues or pulled out before the show, but some backup plans should have been in place. I haven't been since 1995, which I had a great involvement in, and this time I was purely a general public spectator.

Was nice to see disco's and fedners working though :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/977.jpg

just some general shots - I am not much of a photographer :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/978.jpg



disspointing this thing is a plastic model! but I guess they haven't made one yet.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/979.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/980.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/981.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/982.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/983.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/984.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/985.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/986.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/987.jpg

And yes those things kicking up dust....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/988.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/989.jpg

But all in all I would go again, partly because I am a mad idiot and partly because I love big planes and so does the better half :) It was fun, but the total of 4 and a half hours spent getting to and from the main public entrance to the freeway made it a LONG day.

here's a few pics taken by people who know what they are doing from the jet spotters forum (http://www.jetspotter.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11962) :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/990.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/991.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/1208349022_KrHiW-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/1209597679_8S8XV-L.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/992.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/993.jpg

[Hoges]

Re. photos with big black dogs...so it could be true what they say about them seated in the cockpit and being regularly fed biscuits by the pilot... 'cause they'll bite if the pilot touches anything:angel::eek::p