and flown by French, British, Russian
and American pilots, will complete the
group. The 10 New Zealand aircraft
will join a host of other World War
One fighters from The Australian
Vintage Aviation Society and RAAF
Museum, including a Sopwith Pup,
Fokker Eindecker, DR1 triplane,
DVII and DVIII, for a series of
simulated air attack manoeuvres and
dog fights over Avalon.
Aircraft from World War II and
the dawn of the jet age will also be
in strong attendance. Jeff Trappet’s
CAC Mustang, which first joined the
RAAF in 1948, is tipped to make an
appearance, as is Temora Aviation
Museum’s Mark VIII Spitfire andAllan Arthur’s P-40 Kittyhawk.
Temora Aviation Museum will
also bring its one-of-a-kind Lockheed
Hudson and CA-13 Boomerang,
while the Historic Aircraft
Restoration Society (HARS) has
indicated its Catalina flying boat,
always a favourite, will attend too.
Post-war historic aircraft will be
represented by the Gloster Meteor 8,
RAAF/Temora Avon Sabre and the
HARS Neptune and Caribou.ADF in numbers
The Australian Defence Force will
field its largest ever contingent for
this Avalon, showcasing a wide rangeof contemporary Air Force, Navy
and Army aircraft along with a
number of static ground displays.
Air Vice-Marshal Mel Hupfeld
said the show would pay tribute to
the heroes of military aviation.
“In the lead up to the 100th
anniversary of the Anzac landings, the
air show will give special recognition
to commemorating more than a
century of military aviation service to
the nation,” AVM Hupfeld said.
“Since 1914, the ADF has operated
more than 200 different types of
military aircraft. We are proud of the
courageous military air and ground
crews of the past who maintained
and operated these wonderful aircraft.
Their service and sacrifice continue
to inspire the men and women of
today’s Defence Force.”
A range of current Air Force aircraft
are expected to participate at the air
show, including the F/A-18F Super
Hornet multi-role fighter, C-17A
Globemaster III heavy airlift aircraft,
E-7A Wedgetail, KC-30A Multi Role
Tanker Transport aircraft, and the
Roulettes formation aerobatic team.
The Royal Australian Navy’s
AS350 Squirrel training
helicopters, a MRH-90 Taipan
maritime utility helicopter, a
MHR-60R Romeo maritime
combat helicopter and the Bell
UHB-1 Iroquois Navy Historic
Flight Helicopter are also
expected to participate.
The Australian Army is
expected to provide two MultiRole Helicopters (MRH-90s), two
Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters
(ARH Tigers), a M1A1 Abrams
tank, a M113 Armoured Personnel
Carrier, a Protected Mobility
Vehicle and the elite Red Berets.
The ADF will also have major
ground displays including military
working dogs, the Air Force Band,
the Federation Guard, an explosive
ordnance display, an engineering
display, and a mock-up of the F-35A
Lightning II. Australia’s first two
real F-35s are being used for training
in the United States.WWI in focus
The Australian International Airshow
will be one of the first large public
events of 2015, the 100th anniversary
year of the Gallipoli campaign, which
is seen as a seminal event in Australia’s
history as a nation. To mark this
anniversary, air show organisers
have included a range of events and
exhibitions. Besides the World War
One aviation contingent, a series of re-
enactments and recreations of ground
warfare scenarios will be staged on a
number of “historic combat zones”.
The re-enactments will include
a World War One battle complete
with trenches, period weaponry,AUSTRALIAN FLYING March – April 201530 Avalon 2015 Preview australianflying.com.au
Flying in
Dates: Tuesday 24 February
to Sunday 1 March 2015
Location: Avalon Airport,
Lara, Victoria
Avalon Main: Some space is
available for aircraft in static
display areas, registration
required. AIP Sups H02/15
(IFR) and H03/15 (VFR)
Avalon East: Temporary
Class D VFR-only airport for
all fly-ins. No registration is
required. AIP Sup H04/15LEFT: The RAAF C-17 Globemaster
will be one of the largest military
aircraft at Avalon 2015.
BELOW: Antiques and warbirds
will be in abundance in the static
display areas.AMDA