Kyneton Air Show 2017 – Part III: RAAF Roulettes & Heritage Trainer Flight

The RAAF Roulettes aerobatic display team and the RAAF Heritage Trainer Flight (CAC Winjeel and PAC CT-4 Airtrainer) put on some great formation and solo flying displays at the Kyneton Air Show on April 23rd, 2017. The Roulette pilots are Qualified Flying Instructors at the Central Flying School from RAAF East Sale.

RAAF Roulettes

The RAAF Roulettes display was different from the previous times I have seen them this year. They kicked off it with a spirited solo display, then followed it up with precise four ship formation flying (as opposed to the normal six ship) that was enjoyed by all.

RAAF Roulettes solo display

RAAF Roulettes solo display inverted

Some blue sky!

Red, white and blue

RAAF Roulettes solo display at the Kyneton Air Show 2017

Here come the rest of the RAAF Roulettes!

The Roulettes only performed a solo and four ship routine at Kyneton instead of the usual six

Another polished demonstration flight by the RAAF Roulettes

Blue skies make all the difference to the type of show the Roulettes will perform – here they could do their high show

Roll around that tail

Twist and turn

Break and goodbye!

RAAF Heritage

RAAF Heritage Trainers prepare for take-off at the Kyneton Air Show 2017

PAC CT-4 take-off

CAC CA-25 Winjeel take-off

The first production CAC CA-25 Winjeel trainer entered RAAF service in February 1955 and the last of 62 were delivered in January 1958. This Australian designed training aircraft was operated by No. 1 Flying Training School for pilot training at Point Cook and Central Flying School (CFS) at East Sale for flying instructor training. It served the RAAF well until retired from the training role in 1975 (others were used by various squadrons as liaison and communications aircraft). A small number remained in the Forward Air Control role until 1995 (replaced by the PC-9/A in this role).

RAAF Heritage Trainers formation pass

RAAF Heritage Trainers formation pass

RAAF Heritage Trainers formation pass

RAAF Heritage Trainers formation pass

Missing man pass

RAAF Heritage Trainer CAC CA-25 Winjeel solo display

The aircraft that replaced the Winjeel as a basic trainer in 1975 was the PAC CT-4A Airtrainer aka the “Plastic Parrot” (it was lightweight and colourfully painted). The RAAF ordered 37 from New Zealand in 1972, with the first delivered in February 1975. 14 more were purchased and delivered in 1981/82. The type was retired from RAAF service in 1992 but has continued in the flight training program via a private civil contractor (this ended almost 100 years of military flying at Point Cook).

One of the CT-4’s headed home to a different airfield

No air show is complete with out some historic military combat aircraft and in my next post I will feature the warbirds that flew at the Kyneton Air Show including a TBM Avenger, T-28D Trojan and P-40N. A great country air show!