One of the advantages of working in the You Yangs is that you get to see/hear all the practice fly-bys as they make a loop over the park!
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One of the advantages of working in the You Yangs is that you get to see/hear all the practice fly-bys as they make a loop over the park!
Some more pics.
Started off the day with a few pics of the general display areas before the gates opened.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7857/...e5f62bcf_h.jpgIMG_0215 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7833/...33aa16bf_h.jpgIMG_0216 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7905/...8a8a4bff_h.jpgIMG_0214 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Frontline have a lot of the current auction items here, including some of the PC-9's and plenty of the Kiowa's.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7828/...72859c47_h.jpgIMG_0219 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7818/...5bf4da9f_h.jpgIMG_0220 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
And plenty of Perenties, Mogs and Macks too. All the Perenties have new paint and canvas. A mix of GS's and FFR's
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7861/...bed16ed3_h.jpgIMG_0224 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7924/...b6b17bd8_h.jpgIMG_0223 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Then it was time to check out a few more of the Military Aircraft. Started at the B-52. This one is from 1960. Was chatting to the crew and the current policy is to keep them in service until 2050. They seem to think if they keep them to 2050 they'll keep them until 2052 which will be 100 years since the first flight of the prototype. Seems incredible that an Aircraft could still be in service after 100 years. They have never had airframe overhauls or anything - they have basically upgraded the weapons systems and capabilities over the years, but not much more than that. Flight controls are all still manual, no automation has ever been introduced to how they fly.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7836/...cbea1fc8_z.jpgIMG_0229 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7895/...3b235e27_h.jpgIMG_0231 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7921/...0b7b25a7_h.jpgIMG_0232 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7877/...1b73c9b8_h.jpgIMG_0228 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Then onto a full guided tour of a KC135 Supertanker. Seems I didn't end up with a pic of the exterior.... Will get that sorted...
This thing is older than the B-52 - First flew in 1957 - this is one of the original A models or which the US Airforce took delivery of 400 of these.
Anyway, no stairs available, so tarmac entry up a ladder better suited to people a little thinner and lighter than me, but I made it.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7885/...0e3ccd1b_h.jpgIMG_0233 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7915/...177ce03a_h.jpgIMG_0247 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Wasn't game to try and get into the cockpit - I doubt I would have got out again.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7899/...2bf98d1b_h.jpgIMG_0234 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
View across the keyhole
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7914/...3e3788f2_h.jpgIMG_0235 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Then down the back for a look at how the refuelling is done. Quite a bit of room for other missions as required.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7858/...5b4ad6ee_h.jpgIMG_0241 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Bit hard to see but this is where the Boom operator lies down and guides the boom for refuelling - anything from fighters to B-52's. An F-16 can be refuelled in 2 minutes, a B-52 stays connected for 25 minutes to get its fill. The KC-135 can stay in the air more than 12 hours as 'A Gas Station in the sky' as they put it.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7817/...c6535ed8_h.jpgIMG_0239 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
The other side of the glass from the ground.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7892/...2a799139_h.jpgIMG_0242 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Was a great tour - that won't be open to the public come this weekend. One of the benefits of being able to chat to the crews before the gates open. Big thanks for Justin from the US Airforce for a very informative nuts and bolts tour.
Great pics Gav - I look forward to seeing whatever you post - thanks.
good to see you included a photo of your new Bushmaster :)
I/m not going to this year's Air Show, but I went to the last one, and it was,......FANTASTIC,....as I have no doubt this one will be.
BUT, the traffic, getting there etc?
We were lucky enough to have spent a few days holidaying in Queenscliff and were coming back home today along the Geelong Rd,.....no problems for us, but the traffic out of Melbourne was gridlocked from just out've Melbourne,....I reckon ya'd have had about a 2 hr delay to get into the air show?
So, IMHO, better to go by train.
Pickles.
Ok, sorry for the delay, work got in the way a lot this weekend. Here's some more pics. Haven't got anywhere near covering everything here - it's been the biggest Airshow ever here - so much more than last time and apparently it will be bigger again in 2 years for the RAAF Centenary. I'd strongly recommend anyone who finds these pics interesting to come take a look in person in 2021 - you won't be disappointed.
So the Point Cook RAAF Base Museum had a the old and the new in it.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7814/...9d1d2f46_h.jpgIMG_0257 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
And one of the new PC-21's which are replacing the PC-9's as the RAAF trainers. Quite a bit bigger than the PC-9 and a lot more power too.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7873/...fe531971_h.jpgIMG_0255 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Interior of a Chinook.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7811/...8f27ce90_h.jpgIMG_0263 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
A few random pics of some of the Commercial Private Jets, etc - no idea what any are, just here for those interested.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7887/...e58e964b_h.jpgIMG_0269 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7840/...b20e5b51_h.jpgIMG_0273 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7891/...d9132c4e_h.jpgIMG_0274 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7870/...2f3c918b_h.jpgIMG_0275 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7884/...0734431d_h.jpgIMG_0278 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
The crowd building yesterday - despite the heat, it was a huge turnout. Just shy of 100,000 through the gates yesterday I'm let to believe.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7840/...b5511105_h.jpgIMG_0284 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Trying to get out last night, we were stopped at the taxiway to let the F-35 go park up for the night.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7824/...8207e33b_h.jpgIMG_0288 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
The VMVC put on a very good show as they have done for the last few shows. They put a lot of work into their setups for the public to view and should be commended on their efforts - I took a few people through there this morning who haven't ever really seen any ex Military vehicles in any numbers and they all commented on how impressive the site was, so if anyone here is from the VMVC, please pass this onto the club, well done.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7834/...68a1e8f2_h.jpgIMG_0292 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7903/...a487fc5a_h.jpgIMG_0293 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7823/...8e6b7629_h.jpgIMG_0294 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Lots of H1 Hummers
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7828/...26ae2c38_h.jpgIMG_0295 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Hello - What do we have here...?
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7843/...2d259ecf_h.jpgIMG_0299 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Yep, Mick Morriseys LRPV
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7828/...0a2baf23_h.jpgIMG_0301 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7822/...641bb2e4_h.jpgIMG_0302 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7810/...c4076797_h.jpgIMG_0303 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7869/...c4bcdf8e_h.jpgIMG_0304 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7802/...bde1835a_h.jpgIMG_0305 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7883/...ba758385_h.jpgIMG_0306 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7846/...c7c2ad8e_h.jpgIMG_0307 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7836/...87c10aba_h.jpgIMG_0308 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7800/...36a80c86_h.jpgIMG_0309 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7872/...415a46ab_h.jpgIMG_0310 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7923/...5c102084_h.jpgIMG_0311 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7885/...1d93779c_h.jpgIMG_0312 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7837/...abc7b3ad_h.jpgIMG_0313 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7822/...4d99cb5d_h.jpgIMG_0314 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7919/...99f686a8_h.jpgIMG_0315 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7879/...066608d5_h.jpgIMG_0317 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7900/...408e6fed_h.jpgIMG_0318 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7861/...6e7da70c_h.jpgIMG_0319 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
And for the eagle eyed who spotted the 101 in an earlier pic -
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7909/...6ff35efd_h.jpgIMG_0321 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Also in that area was a large marquee set up like some trenches with information and weapons on display.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7910/...8646bc89_h.jpgIMG_0291 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7832/...80d796d2_h.jpgIMG_0289 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickrhttps://farm8.staticflickr.com/7853/...af3fd50c_h.jpgIMG_0290 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
And for the Drone fans - there was a a lot of very expensive hardware on display. There was also an area under a big top tent where they were racing some, but never got a chance to get there when this was happening.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7880/...d546ac83_h.jpgIMG_0324 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
IMG_0325 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7873/...2c9e7b01_h.jpgIMG_0326 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7906/...34ca27be_h.jpgIMG_0327 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Here's something worth talking about - the drone hanging on the steep angle behind the guy standing there is a racing drone believe it or not - it is HUGE. They have been designed for TV/Stadium racing so they can be seen easily. This monster accelerates faster than an F1 car and has a top speed of 230KPH. The angle it is hung on is the angle it flys at - the crossarms holding the motors are basically wings, so it gains lift from the top and bottom spa. Total power is 60KW! The builders of these are trying to get an international race series together with these in the coming year or so - will see what happens.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7899/...a2aa7c31_h.jpgIMG_0328 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7829/...6e3cfd5e_h.jpgIMG_0330 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
This is from the same crowd and is also a very fast racing drone. These are 500mm long and run 2 cameras - the FPV for the pilot and an HD camera for broadcast. Again, with the popularity of drone racing soaring, they are designing a class big enough to see on TV.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7881/...cb8913f2_h.jpgIMG_0329 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
And now to some of the most serious Cinematographic setups you'll see. This one has a Red 8K camera on it - with the gimble, around $100K for that bit alone, then the drone to carry it.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7818/...8088ff29_h.jpgIMG_0331 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Then there's this - words fail me on this one and I didn't get enough time to ask the price. Bit hard to see on the pic, but this has a large film camera slung underneath it.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7820/...11889116_h.jpgIMG_0332 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
And a couple of others.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/...33eb17b0_h.jpgIMG_0333 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7847/...4dd93c5e_h.jpgIMG_0334 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
Well, that's all the pics I took sorry. Hopefully there are some others here that attended that can top this up a bit. I've missed taking pics of so much, but it's been a very busy week for me so my time was limited to actually enjoying the show as much as I would have liked. The 4 back to back 40 degree days have really tested our equipment and we've been busy keeping it all running as it should for the customer.
I am seriously thinking of dropping some big dollars on a Corporate ticket for all 3 public days in 2021 and telling work to continuing without me on that one.[bigwhistle] . If anyone else is interested in joining me, you have 2 years to save up. Weekend package for the best of the best available to mere mortals like us is around $1,800 for the weekend... [bigsmile1]