My trip to Air Show Down Under 99 started with an early morning trip to my friend Dilshans place. After he decided to get his fat lazy ass out of bed we got in the car and not even a minute later we arrived at my girlfriends place. She was still in the process of getting ready (typical women) and we had to wait a little but I didn't mind. After some toast and constant nagging to get everyone out of the house we drove our way down to Avalon. On the way the traffic was a little congested but we kept moving at a good rate and about 45mins to an 1hr later we arrived. The weather looked perfect. Cool breeze and a scattered cloud layer with the occasional police chopper flying over to watch the traffic. As we got into the car park we made sure we had our film, camera and lunch....not to mention the tickets..
Mc Donnell Douglas AH-64D LongBow Apache
Over 930 Apaches have been built and six countries are now operating them. The British Army and the Netherlands have recently ordered large numbers of the AH-64D Longbow Apache, which can be recognised by its large mast-mounted radar. Unfortunatly we missed the preformance of the Apache because it was so early in the morning..We did catch the landing so I suppose that was better than nothing.
Pic taken by Robert D
Boeing B-52G Stratofortress
First flown in prototype form during April 1952, Boeing's mighty B-52 Stratofortress entered service with the USAF's Strategic Air Command at the end of 1955. Today almost 50 years down the road, the B-52 is still easily the most numerous bomber type to be found in SAC's operational inventory, with more than 250 examples of both the B-52G and H in service.The B-52 didn't fly that day and was stationed at the end of the runway ready for a quick take off. It was on call and could have taken the field into service at any moment. It may have been fully armed too...
Picture Take By Robert D
Sikorsky UH-60 BlackHawk
Built for the US Army to replace the UH-1Hs, now being refurbished, the S-70 family provides military, naval and commercial helicopters in the 10 tonne class. The design blends new technology with proven helicopter construction. Entering service in 1979, the sole tatical model is the Uh-60A with large sliding side doors, able to carry an infantry squad with rapid ingress/egress in the battlefield.. The Basic BlackHawk has been developed into a number of special operations aircraft, fitted with in-flight refuelling booms and stub wings. They also have FLIR (Foward Looking Infared) and radar in the nose. A gunship version has also been developed carrying Stinger and Hellfire missiles. Shown here is the U.S.M.C BlackHawk from America. They decided not to fly it and left it parked on the taxi way.
Picture Taken By Robert D
Mc Donnell Douglas F/A 18 Hornet
Yes the Australian F/A 18 Hornet as if it wasn't obvious from the Southen Cross.First flown on the 18th of November 1978. The Hornet was designed as the United States first strike fighter. The plane has attack capabilities including close air support and interdiction without having to compromise on its ability as a fighter. It displayed these abilities in Operation Desert Storm, where the plane bombed enemy targets and shot down enemy aircraft in the same mission. The plane supplements the F-14 Tomcat in the United States Navy inventory. The plane is in operation with 37 squadrons in the USN on 10 aircraft carriers. These include the Blue Angels aerobatics demonstration squadron. It is also flown by the U.S. Marine Corps, The Royal Australian Air Force, The Canadian Air force amongst others. Pretty damn cool huh! During the airshow the F/A-18 displayed in-flight refuelling and an amazing fly by with the nose pointed up but not gaining altitude..Kinda like the Su-27's famous cobra position.
Picture Taken By Robert D
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