An Aussie's travels to air shows, aviation museums and more around the world
Warbirds Downunder 2018
A great air show in south central New South Wales, hosted by the Temora Aviation Museum! Their fantastic collection of World War Two and Cold War era aircraft is the basis for the show and as the name predicts there were plenty of warbirds on display, accompanied by modern day RAAF aircraft including fast jets bringing that glorious noise!
Speaking of noise, if you like hearing V-12 Rolls Royce Merlin and Allison engines purring, Warbirds Downunder is the place for you! The massed aircraft formation passes were something special too!
Day One on Friday October 12th, was a half day twilight show. Day Two was a full day of flying. Both days offered variations in the aircraft flying, so I was glad I made it to the Friday session, especially when the pair of RAAF 2OCU “Classic” F/A-18A Hornets arrived from RAAF Williamtown and flanked a formation of World War Two era piston engine fighters!
The air show was well attended on both days. The town of Temora swelled on the Saturday from a normal population of around 4,000 to 20,000+ people!
Photography was a bit tough in the general public area, with dusty conditions on both days and facing the west, being backlit by the sun for much of the Friday twilight show. It was a cloudy, low light day for much of the Saturday. Those further across in the grandstands and silver seating area seemed to get good value for their money, with a more favourable angle of the sun. Despite this, the flying program and displays were excellent on both days!
A small number of visiting aircraft were unable to attend the air show. Apart from this, there was only one other major aircraft related issue I noted – The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight had formed up nicely on Day Two with the Temora Aviation Museum Supermarine Spitfires, a Mk.VIII and Mk.XVI flying with the Vintage Fighter RestorationsHawker Hurricane Mk. XII, when the latter seemed to have encountered an issue and had some form of liquid streaming from the port wing (see photo below). The Hurricane safely landed immediately after this pass but did not fly again that day.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII (A58-758) was built in 1944 and was the last Spitfire acquired by the RAAF in 1945 – although this aircraft did not see operational service, it wears the markings of RAAF Wing Commander R.H. “Bobby” Gibbes DSO DFC. Spitfire Mk.XVI (Serial Number TB863) was built in 1944 for the RAF and saw operational service targeting railways in Holland in 1945. The Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII (Serial Number 5481) is a 1942 RCAF example, painted to represent an RAF No. 46 Squadron Hurricane Mk.I flown by Australian John Dallas Crossman, who was shot down and killed by a Luftwaffe Bf 109 in September 1940.
Although in the past I have been to a number of flying days at Temora, this was my first time attending Warbirds Downunder and it won’t be my last! The Temora team put together a very well run and highly enjoyable air show! Reasonably priced food and coffee, along with great traffic management was also a bonus!
An incredible feat of preservation for future generations! Seeing all those classic birds parade by must have given you goosebumps! Great post and great photographs!
What a line-up a feast for the eyes.
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It sure was!
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An incredible feat of preservation for future generations! Seeing all those classic birds parade by must have given you goosebumps! Great post and great photographs!
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Thanks. Year by year the warbird scene grows in Australia. Great to see!
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Excellent! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks!
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Wish I had been THERE!!
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It was a lot of fun!
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A fantastic flightline! Love the Cat and its nose turret, too. And what a treat seeing a Caribou flying–a fantastic airplane 🙂
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That’s an original WW2 turret fitted not so long ago. The Caribou is always a treat for sure!
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That’s a great collection of warbirds! Nice to see the Hudson and Avenger up where they belong.
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It certainly was!
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Reblogged this on The mind is an unexplored country. and commented:
Old school flying war hardware!
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