My visit to the Australian International Airshow 2023

[Latinbear]

The Australian International Airshow, held at Avalon Airport some 40 miles southwest of Melbourne, is the largest airshow in the Southern Hemisphere. 

The show encompasses the complete cross-section of aviation ranging from military heavies through to business jets, helicopters and general aviation including such lightweights as gyrocopters and paragliders. The format is similar to the old Farnborough shows with the first three days being limited to trade visitors followed by three public days that included a full flying display. Unlike Farnborough however, Avalon's first public flying day takes place in the afternoon and evening and includes parachutists and aircraft using fireworks followed by RAAF aircraft using flares all culminating in a spectacular firework display and a a "Wall of Fire".

To give a sense of size, this year's show saw some 330 aircraft of all types from 11 nations attending along with 48,000 trade visitors and over 200,000 visitors across the three public days. 

The last show in 2019 saw temperatures hitting 40c.This year was a more bearable mid-20s hitting 32c on the sunny days. 

All three Australian services supported show in strength and once I've sorted through the images I'll post some of the army's vehicles in the military section. 

 

While in the area I visited the B-24 Liberator memorial at Werribee and the air museum at Moorabbin in south-east Melbourne and again, once the images are sorted out then I'll post some as both are worth visiting if you are in Melbourne. 

 

Suffice to say I had an immensely enjoyable trip that definitely falls into the "trip of a lifetime" category! 

 

1. The view from the control tower on the Saturday before the show's opening and more aircraft have yet to arrive. The ROKAF Black Eagles are practicing their display.

 

2.

 

3. Black Eagles taxying out to display. 

 

4. The USAF sent two F-15Cs from Kadena along with three F-22A Raptors deployed on a six month detachment. The flight time from Kadena to Avalon was 10 hours. The range of hills in the background are called the You-Yangs. 

 

5. The US has always been an active supporter of the airshow. 

 

6.

 

7. This B-52 flew through on the Saturday. There should have been two but one went U/S.

 

8. This RSAF tanker brought the F-15SG and F-16C to the show before departing for home. 

 

9.

 

10. This Citation was visiting only. 

 

11. 

 

12.

 

13.

 

14. This F-35A A35-009 is the RAAF option featured in Tamiya's new 1/48th kit.  

 

15.

 

16. USAF C-17A displaying at sunset on the Friday. 

 

17.

 

18.This Extra weaved its way through the fireworks.

 

19. The C-130J flare drop was preceded by a Wedgetail flare drop. Unfortunately, a combination of altitude and cloud muted the effect somewhat. Not so with the Hercules!  

 

20. The wall of fire. This show's was the longest ever at 1km in length. The image simply doesn't do it justice. 

 

21.

 

22. The Roulettes and Black Eagles. 

 

23.

 

24.

 

25.

 

26.

 

27.

 

28.

 

29. This is Himars. The C-5M Galaxy transporting it to the show broke down in Hawaii hence a second Galaxy was dispatched to deliver it. 

 

30. Head on close up shots of the Raptors without their engine covers were verboten. The jets were also subject to 24/7 Victoria police guard too.  

 

31.

 

32.

 

33.

 

34.

 

35.

 

36.

 

37.

 

38. This A-400M was from LTG62 at Wunstorf. 

 

39. A-37 Dragonfly from 100 Squadron RAAF.

 

40. The Harvard, CA-25 Winjeel and CT/4A Airtrainer were also from 100 Squadron. 

 

41.

 

42.

 

43. Not part of the show but on departure day the crew carried out a practice drop of retardant. 

 

44. The only one of the three Raptors to leave on departure day. The other two have or are just about to leave as I write this as they both had technical faults. 

 

45. An endangered species in Australia. 

 

46. On departure day a Hawk arrived with a second pilot to fly out the static example. 

 

47.

 

If you've made it this far, thanks for looking! 

 

[canberraman]

Wow, what a terrific show that is Latinbear! You certainly made the most of your opportunities and captured a fantastic variety of rarely seen aircraft from some great vantage points. I particularly like the cloudscapes, the day ad night images, and your use of light - that C17 with the sunset backdrop is stunning. It's also a delight to see the use of pyrotechnics at an airshow, something hardly ever seen at UK events these days. 

 

I think a trip down under to take in this show has moved right up my bucket list!

 

Thanks for sharing such fantastic memories.  

 

Mark

[Latinbear]

1 hour ago, canberraman said:

Wow, what a terrific show that is Latinbear! You certainly made the most of your opportunities and captured a fantastic variety of rarely seen aircraft from some great vantage points. I particularly like the cloudscapes, the day ad night images, and your use of light - that C17 with the sunset backdrop is stunning. It's also a delight to see the use of pyrotechnics at an airshow, something hardly ever seen at UK events these days. 

 

I think a trip down under to take in this show has moved right up my bucket list!

 

Thanks for sharing such fantastic memories.  

 

Mark

 

Thank you very much indeed for the kind words Mark! As others have commented the orientation of the runway is unhelpful for shots in the afternoon hence Active D Lighting is your friend. I know we like clear blue skies for photography but there are times when clouds make the image and some of the shots I was fortunate to get of the Eagles and Raptors arriving (not shown) with the hills and cloud layer were pleasing. The moisture does generate some nice "fluff" too. 

This year the crowd line was 120m back from the runway and I was told that at previous shows was even closer so you can imagine the great runway shots available. The display line is west of the runway. Unfortunately, for the 2025 show the CASA (Australia's CAA) has mandated that the display line be moved back further although I don't know to what extent.

Avalon Airport is served by Jetstar and a start-up LCC called "Bonza" but otherwise the airfield is essentially a huge sheep paddock for most of the year and with no nearby residents the RAAF makes the most of their opportunity to use flares and pyrotechnics at the show. The people with the best seat in the house are the pyro team and fire crews who sit under the display line. 

I will be going again in 2025.

 

All the best

 

Ian

[Alpha Delta 210]

A great record of what really looked like a "trip of a lifetime"! (And there's me thinking that a Threshold night shoot at RAF Valley was a good way to start the aviation year!)

[Latinbear]

5 hours ago, Alpha Delta 210 said:

A great record of what really looked like a "trip of a lifetime"! (And there's me thinking that a Threshold night shoot at RAF Valley was a good way to start the aviation year!)

 Thanks AD, it really was an exceptional trip with many fantastic photo opportunities. 

[ColinChipmunkfan]

Thanks AD some great shots there.  I must try and time my Aussie visit for this show now I have seen your photos.

[Latinbear]

6 minutes ago, ColinChipmunkfan said:

Thanks AD some great shots there.  I must try and time my Aussie visit for this show now I have seen your photos.

 

Thank you Colin. The next show's dates are 25-30th March 2025.