Rf-111c Torch Practice 22-01-2010, Singapore Airshow

[Warhawk]

Monday 18 January 2010 Queensland Time, compilments of Mike Mirkovic letting someone know of the event!! God Bless him



BEFORE they disappear from the Ipswich sky for good at the end of the year, F-111s from RAAF Base Amberley will this week light up the sky with some aerobatic tricks.

Squadron Leader Phil Parsons and Flight Lieutenant Leon Izatt will practise a number of stunts near Amberley as they prepare for the Singapore Air Show at the end of January.

Sqn Ldr Parsons said the pair would rehearse their routine specifically so Ipswich residents could look west and see the F-111s in action.

“People might think going to the air show is a holiday, but it is a lot of hard work, and a lot of preparation goes into making sure everything runs smoothly,” he said.

“At these exhibitions I go through about half a tank of fuel in 12 minutes, when normally that much fuel would last us an hour and a half.

“So as you could image we are really pushing the planes hard and it will look good for people on the ground.”

The F-111s are set to be retired from the air force in December, with the first of the replacement F/A-18F Super Hornets arriving in a few months time.

Sqn Ldr Parsons said this week’s practice session could be the last chance Ipswich residents had to watch the jets in action.

“There will be a farewell for the F-111s at the end of the year but at this stage we don’t know if it will be ceremonial or otherwise,” he said.

“It will be sad to see them go but, at the same time, we need to progress so we’re looking forward to the Super Hornets.”

Flt Lt Izatt said after performing at various air shows for the past 12 months he looked forward to sending out the F-111s in style.

“We want to make sure our display at the air show goes off without a hitch and that the crowds on the ground enjoy what we do,” Flt Lt Izatt said.

The pair will rehearse the display routine over RAAF Base Amberley, with morning (about 9.30am) and afternoon (about 2.30pm) practice sessions of no more than 30 minutes duration today and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

There will be a single practice session on Friday and next Monday, with the time of the flight dependent on the weather.


With that in mind, Today's shot of RF-111C A8-134 over Amberley.

Canon SLR (xmas pressie) still learning how to use it!





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[Martin Edwards]

Please keep us posted when the date for the final farewell is announced. That's one I just have to be at :(