Usaf Thunderbirds Are Go For Townsville, 26 Sept 2009

[Luig]

THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! We must be in a recession - it is all bread and circuses:

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/artic...431_hpnews.html

Thunderbirds are go for Townsville by JESSICA JOHNSTON May 7th, 2009

"THE largest air show in Australia will be held in Townsville this year after the promised spectacular event was given final approval.

An array of of military aircraft will perform along the full length of The Strand [Inner city beachfront for those not familiar with Townsville] during the extravaganza on September 26.

The program was yesterday given the green-light after Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon threw his support behind the show.

Townsville City Council events and protocol manager Tom Aubrey predicted huge crowds would flock to the Strand for the show.

"We are expecting to see the biggest air show in Australia this year,'' he said.

"It should be a fantastic day, the last time we did something similar was the Centenary of Federation in 2001, and we had 60,000-70,000 people on the Strand for that.

"They are usually held at Amberley, now Northern Australian will host the only one this year."

It is understood that the world's leading formation flying team, the USAF Thunderbirds, will headline the festival. F-111s are expected to perform a `dump and burn' in their last air show ever, while Caribous will also take to the sky for their last public performance.

Other confirmed aircraft include F/A-18 Hornets, C-17 Globemaster, C130-J Hercules, AP-3C Orion, Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters, vintage WWII aircraft and other army helicopters.

A static aircraft display will be held at RAAF Base Townsville the following day, giving fans a chance to inspect the aircraft close up.

Townsville Mayor Les Tyrell said the city was cementing a reputation for attracting world-class events.

The Troy Dunn International bull-riding competition will be held this month, before the city gears up for a jam-packed July, with the National Superboat Series, inaugural V8 Supercars race and Festival of Chamber Music all scheduled.

International cricket and NQ Fury home games will add to the excitement, before the sky lights up during the September air show.

Mr Fitzgibbon said he had approved the Townsville event despite slashing the use of military aircraft for entertainment.

"I want to always be sure that when we are spending big money sending expensive capability into all sorts of community events, including football games for example, that tax-payers are getting value for money."

Mr Fitzgibbon said the valuable exposure during the Townsville air show would provide a recruitment opportunity for the Defence Force."

[darren.crick]

sounds like something not to be missed...

[mark]

Except that is the same weekend as the AFL Grand Final,and I can not miss seeing the mighty Saints win their first flag since 1966. I f I HAVE to choose it will be the Saints
(unless we can get a Phantom to the show!)....cheers Mark

[Martin Edwards]

Hey Mark, couldn't of put it better myself.
Go Saints!

[darren.crick]

I know two dreamers... see you at the show! (not the Grand Final)

[Martin Edwards]

...GO SAINTS!!!!!!

[mark]

Beat me to it Martin.CARN THE SAINTS!!!!

This post has been edited by mark on Sep 20 2009, 10:19 PM

[darren.crick]

yep, go Saints...


hey did anyone go to Townsville. I planned to but it all fell through...

[evan_sawyer]

Noted at Townsville airshow & open day on 26 & 27-9-2009 were :

VH-VCR "A17-179" DH Tigermoth RAAF marks

VH-EAF "A65-94" Douglas C-47 RAAF marks

A89-272 Lockheed SP-2H RAAF 10 Sqn marks - preserved

A89-280 Lockheed SP-2H RAAF 10 Sqn marks - preserved

A4-140 DHC-4 RAAF 38 Sqn "45 years of operations" on nose, "1964-2009
45 Years of service to the nation" on tail

A4-210 DHC-4 RAAF 38 Sqn "45 years of operations" on nose

A4-236 DHC-4 RAAF 38 Sqn "45 years of operations" on nose, "1964-2009
45 Years of service to the nation" on tail

A4-299 DHC-4 RAAF 38 Sqn "45 years of operations" on nose

A8-126 RF-111C RAAF 6 Sqn

A8-130 F-111C RAAF 6 Sqn

A15-104 CH-47D AAAC 5th Avn Regt "Dusty Blonde" & artwork on forward starboard side - no other name

A15-106 CH-47D AAAC 5th Avn Regt - no name

A21-115 F/A-18B RAAF 2 OCU

A23-027 PC-9A RAAF "Roulettes"

A23-057 PC-9A RAAF "Roulettes"

A23-058 PC-9A RAAF "Roulettes"

A23-059 PC-9A RAAF "Roulettes"

A23-063 PC-9A RAAF "Roulettes"

A23-066 PC-9A RAAF "Roulettes"

A25-110 S-70A9 AAAC 5th Avn Regt "Apocalypse"

A25-206 S-70A9 AAAC 5th Avn Regt "Resolute"

A27-28 BAe Hawk 127 RAAF 76 Sqn

A27-32 BAe Hawk 127 RAAF 79 Sqn

A40-002 MRH-90 "NAVY" marks

A40-005 MRH-90 "ARMY" marks

N42-510 Agusta A109E RAN "510"

I will add some photos to the image gallery when time permits

evan

[Demon50]

Hi Evan

Thanks for the listing - it's very much appreciated.

In regard to "Hawk A27-32 No 79 Sqn", I'm sure this airframe has been on strength with No 76 Sqn since at least 15/06/07 but hasn't been repainted as yet - only 27 months ago !

And did you note any F/A18s other than A21-115 ?

Cheers

Bob

[evan_sawyer]

Bob,

Not part of the show but noted departing Townsville Monday 28th was F/A-18A
A21-30 in company of A21-115, didn't note any squadron markings but recall it had 'diamond check' pattern on the top of the tail fin.

Squadrons in my list are markings on the aircraft only, as you point out the paint scheme doesn't always reflect the operating unit.

evan

[Demon50]

Thanks Evan - that description sounds like it was 75 Sqn in Tindal N T.

Cheers

Bob