68 |FLIGHTPATH

Jeff Trappet’s CAC Mustang and TAM’s Spitfire Mk.
VIII bask in the evening light of the Illawarra.
[Leigh Atkinson]

T

he annual air show at Albion Park
soared to new heights this year. Avia-
tion enthusiasts flocked to the New
South Wales south coast for the show
witharecordofmorethan30,000peopleat-
tendingthetwo-dayevent.Therewascon-
stantactivitybothintheairandonthe
ground, from thrilling displays of aerobatics
to attendees being able to immerse them-
selves in aviation history in the static dis-
playsofvintageandclassicaircraft.The
much-anticipated Flug Werk FW 190 made
its airshow debut. One of only four flying in
the world, owner Chris Mayr flew the air-
craftintoAlbionParkfromAlbury.Itwas
amongdozensofotheraircrafttotaketothe
skyonSaturdayandSundayalongwiththe
RAAF Roulettes, RAAF F/A-18 Hornets, the
TAVASGreatWarFokkerDR.IandS.E.5
replicas, and crowd favourite Paul Bennet
Airshows’ Sky Aces. Among their perfor-
mancesincludedSteveBennet’ssolodisplay
inhisWolfPittsPro.Thegroupalsoflew
warbirds such as the Grumman Avenger and
T-28B Trojan. Event organisers Mark and
Kerry Bright said, “It’s the best event we’ve
everhad.Wearereallylookingforwardto
2018.”Bringiton!Mark Jessop,Av iation
Spotters Online

Wings Over

Illawarra

LEFT:BenLappininPaul

Bennet’s CA-3 Wirraway

VH-WWY, and Tim Dugan

in Fleet Warbirds’ T-6G

Texan VH-WHF, give

spectators a clear

comparison of the two

types, which share a

common ancestry, as the

pair performed some

formation passes before

separating for individual

handling displays.[Motty]

RIGHT:FW 190

VH-WLF was

undoubtedly a

highlight of the

show for many.

[Leigh Atkinson]