RAAF Open Day Townsville 16/10/2016

[Carl_Brisgamer]

As part of the Townsville 150 celebrations the public was invited to attend RAAF Townsville to view the aircraft which participated in the Airshow the previous day as well as other exhibits. I took plenty of photos, copies uploaded below.



The first two aircraft on display were the DHC-4 Caribou and the Consolidated Catalina PBY-6A.



Caribou A4-210 entered RAAF service in late 1964.* This aircraft is a Vietnam veteran being part of RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam. It was retired from the RAAF in late 2009 with 19,000 flight hours.* The Caribou is maintained by HARS (Historical Aircraft Restoration Society) as a flying memorial to all Australian Service personnel who served in the Vietnam War.









The Catalina is another HARS aircraft. It was built in New Orleans for the US Navy in 1945. After WW2 it was sold off and converted to a water bomber. In 1986 it sunk in an Argentinian fresh water lake. It was recovered, rebuilt and used as fire bomber in Portugal. HARS acquired it in 2002, adding new blisters and nose turret. It is a flying memorial to all RAAF airmen who flew these aircraft in WW2. For a $5 donation you could board the Cat, so I took advantage of the opportunity.























A gunner's eye view....



....and there's that damned tail shadow!









She was a pretty impressive warbird.



The next WW2 warbird was the beautiful Lockheed Hudson Mk.III operated by the Temora Aviation Museum.







A Zero's eye view.........



..........and one of the replacement Wright Cyclone engines fitted just prior to the airshow.



One more WW2 aircraft, the CAC Mustang! This Packard engine model has been modified as a two seater and was booked for a number of joy flights throughout the day. The Mustang was first flown by the RAAF in Italy in 1944 but did not see service in the Pacific Theatre. After WW2 Australia was the only country outside the USA to produce the Mustang, with 200 built by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). This particular aircraft served with 82 Squadron RAAF as part of the Occupation Forces in Japan and saw active duty with 77 Squadron RAAF during the Korean War.









That will have to do for tonight, I'll upload more tomorrow.

[Naharaht]

Beautiful photographs, Carl! You clearly had a good day there.

[BobP]

Great pictures. I had some pictures of a Caribou at Phu Bia airport, Viet Nam, in 1972. However my sister, who doesn't keep things, throw them away.

[gully_raker]

More great photos Carl!
I saw the HARS Black Cat "Felix" at the HARS museum with Chris (Halvo) last year when it was undergoing a refurbishment.
They have an astounding collection of aircraft there.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

I will upload more photos tonight - fast jets, cargo lifters, maritime surveillance and choppers coming up!

[Marechallannes]

Great pictures, Carl!

Thank you for this presentation and especially for the inside pictures of the Catalina flyboat.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

I am happy you have enjoyed the photos so far. This next set includes some pretty big birds!

Lockheed C-130J transport and Airbus KC-30A multi-role tanker transport.



Dating back 60 years, the C-130 Hercules is the longest continuously produced military aircraft, with the updated Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules the latest version.





The Airbus KC-30A is a modification of the civilian Airbus A330. They all start their lives as a standard airliner, are plucked off the production line, stripped down and rebuilt as military multi-role tanker transports. The aircraft can carry a maximum fuel capacity of 111,000kg (245,000lb) without the use of additional fuel tanks, which leaves space for the carriage of 45,000kg (99,000lb) of additional cargo and up to 270 passengers.





On 22 September 2014, the RAAF deployed an Air Task Group to a staging base at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, as part of a coalition to combat Islamic State forces in Iraq. The aircraft included F/A-18F Super Hornets, one KC-30A tanker transport and an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft. The KC-30 started operations just days after arriving in the UAE by aerial refueling US and other coalition aircraft over Iraq. On 6 October 2014, the RAAF started their first combat missions over Iraq with two Super Hornets supported by the KC-30 tanker.





The C-27J Spartan battlefield air lifter is a twin engine transport purchased as a replacement for the Caribou which was retired in 2009. The RAAF has two of these aircraft at the moment with plans to purchase eight more. It is an advanced derivative of Alenia Aeronautica's earlier G.222 (C-27A Spartan in U.S. service). Australia opted for the C-27J over the rival EADS CASA C-295 following an RAAF evaluation, which had noted the C-27J's wider and taller cabin being compatible with the Australian Army's general purpose G-Wagon vehicle and palletized goods.



The C-27J will improve Air Force’s ability to move people, equipment and supplies in Australia and the region. With the capacity to carry significant loads and still land on airstrips that are not suited for the C-130J Hercules, the C-27J Spartan will undertake a range of missions. They will be equipped with missile warning systems, electronic self-protection and battlefield armour allowing them to operate freely in high-threat environments.



This aircraft uses common C-130J Hercules infrastructure and aircraft systems such as engines, avionics and the cargo handling systems.



Due to its substantially lower weight the C-27J can access over 400 Australian airfields compared to around 200 for the C-130J Hercules aircraft.







The biggest bird of all present on the day was the C-17A Globemaster III.





The C-17A has three times the carrying capacity of the C-130 Hercules, allowing Australia to rapidly deploy troops, supplies, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters anywhere in the world. It can carry up to 77 tonnes, ranging from an Abrams Tank, four Bushmaster vehicles, three Black Hawk helicopters, or be converted to an aero-medical evacuation capacity. Based at RAAF Base Amberley, the eight C-17As provided the backbone of the air link for Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan. Capable of landing on dirt strips as short as 3,500 feet, it carried supplies and personnel between Australia and the Middle East.





Still have plenty more photos to go.

[Naharaht]

Please keep them coming, Carl.

[zenlizard]

Wow, fantastic day & pics.

[Teaticket]

Great photos Carl,, thanks!

[csadn]

Random comment: Every time I see that city mentioned (they also have a Supercars race), I keep expecting to see The Powerpuff Girls in the background.... :)

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Great pics Carl.

[Stumptonian]

Great pics, Carl. Thanks for sharing.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Another of the historical aircraft present at the RAAF Townsville Open Day was the Lockheed P-2C Neptune. Developed during WW2, the Neptune was accepted into service with the USN in 1947. Designed primarily as a maritime surveillance aircraft it was used in many roles including that of a nuclear bomber!! The RAAF received the Neptune in the early 60's being flown by two squadrons.



During the Vietnam War, Neptune aircraft from No. 10 Squadron RAAF operating from Utapao supported US Air Force B-52 bombing missions on an opportunity basis whilst transiting Thai airspace, using their AN/APS-120 radar to provide early warning of surface-to-air missiles. For a six-month period between June 1968 and January 1969, the Australian squadron was commanded by a US naval officer, Lieutenant Commander J.A. Mueller.



In the late 1970's the Neptune was replaced by the Lockheed P-3C Orion. The current version operated by the RAAF is the AP-3C Orion. This variant is used by for tasks such as naval fleet support, maritime surveillance, search and survivor supply and anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. The 18 AP-3C Orions were upgraded from P-3Cs between 1997 and 2005, with the program taking three years longer than expected due to systems integration problems. All eighteen AP-3C Orions are operated by No. 92 Wing which is based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. Aircraft from the wing have seen service as part of Australian Defence Force operations in Australia, South East Asia and the Middle East.



The E-7A Wedgetail provides Australia with one of the most advanced air battlespace management capabilities in the world. Based on a Boeing 737-700, the aircraft is fitted with an advanced Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar and 10 mission crew consoles to create one of the most advanced pieces of technology for the Australian Defence Force.





The E-7A Wedgetail provides the RAAF with an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform that can gather information from a wide variety of sources, analyse it and distribute it to other air and surface assets. The E-7A Wedgetail can control the tactical battle space, providing direction for fighter aircraft, surface combatants and land based elements, as well as supporting aircraft such as tankers and intelligence platforms. The aircraft can cover four million square kilometres during a single 10 hour mission.





This de Haviland Canada Dash 8 twin turbo-prop aircraft operated by the Australian Hydrographic Service is fitted with a LADS (Laser Airborne Depth Sounding) hydrographic surveying system. It measures the difference between the sea surface and the sea floor as calculated from the aircraft's altitude to generate hydrographic data.



Next up will be a few rotary wing aircraft.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

The first helicopter off the rank is a Bell UH-1 Iroquois - THE military helicopter of the mid to late 20th Century. I can't count how many times these birds saved miles on my feet. On 21 September 2007, the Australian Army retired the last of their 'Bushranger' Bell UH-1 gunships. The last flight occurred in Brisbane with the aircraft replaced by MRH-90 medium helicopters and Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters.



The MHR-90 Taipan (MHR = multi-role helicopter) is a European design and the first production helicopter to feature entirely fly by wire flight controls.



After ordering 12 aircraft to replace the Iroquis in 2005, the following year the Australian Defence Force announced plans to replace its UH-60 Black Hawk and Westland Sea King helicopters and a further 34 Taipans were ordered, for an ordered total of 46 - four being manufactured in Europe, and 42 being manufactured locally by Australian Aerospace (an Airbus Helicopters subsidiary) in Brisbane. Six rotorcraft are operated by 808 Squadron of the Royal Australian Navy, and the other 40 are operated by the Australian Army.



The last helicopter on display was the Boeing CH-47F Chinook. Faster than many contemporary, utility and attack helicopters the Chinook is used primarily for troop movement, artillery emplacement and battlefield re-supply. It is capable of operating in climatic, altitude and crosswind conditions that typically keep other helicopters from flying.



The CH-47 was originally designated for retirement from Australian Army service, but the Middle East conflicts since 2001 resulted in the type being retained. Seven CH-47Fs were ordered in 2012 as replacements for the previous CH-47Ds. The older model Chinooks were sent to the following museums and schools - SAS History and Research Center at Campbell barracks in Perth, Australian War Memorial Canberra, Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Aircraft Maintenance School in Oakey, the RAAF Museum Point Cook, Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Aircraft Maintenance School Darwin, and the Army Aviation Museum.



I still have more photos to come, including fast jets and training and communications aircraft.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

The Pilatus PC-9/A designed by Pilatus Switzerland and built under license by Hawker de Havilland in Sydney, was introduced to the Air Force in 1987. This aircraft is a critical part of all Royal Australian Air Force pilot training. Trainee ADF pilots, having successfully completed the Basic Flying Course at the ADF Basic Flying Training School at Tamworth, undertake the Advanced Flying Training Course with Number 2 Flying Training School at RAAF Base Pearce. During this training, they fly 130 hours in the PC-9/A. Upon successful completion, graduates are awarded their wings and posted to a flying squadron.



The PC-9/A is also based at RAAF Base East Sale where the aircraft is used to teach qualified RAAF pilots to become flying instructors. Qualified instructors who conduct this course are eligible to fly with the Roulettes, RAAF’s elite formation aerobatic display team.


*
There are four modified PC-9/A (Forward Air Control variant) aircraft in grey paintwork fitted with smoke grenade dispensers for target marking. These aircraft are based at RAAF Base Williamtown, to train ADF Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs, formerly forward air controllers), who coordinate air support to troops on the ground.



As part of the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System project, the PC-9/A will be replaced by the Pilatus PC-21, the world’s most advanced pilot training aircraft.



The KA350 King Air provides Air Force with tactical air mobility to access remote areas of Australia, South East Asia and Pacific regions. The King Air is a modern twin-engine turboprop with two front seat crew capable of carrying up to four back-seat crew or nine passengers with a range of over 2,000 km. This important tactical air lift capability is operated by Number 38 Squadron and is used by the School of Air Warfare to provide training for air combat officer, maritime aviation warfare officers and in navigation.



No.32 Squadron at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria, uses the King Air as the School of Air Warfare's training aircraft, with the student sitting in the co-pilot’s seat or at specially fitted consoles in the rear of the aircraft. The squadron's King Air aircraft also perform Air Logistics Support tasks. Students are being trained for a variety of roles including low-level tactical fast-jet operations, maritime patrol and response operations and air battle management. Low-level tactical and maritime training flights are typically conducted 250 to 1,000 feet above ground level.



The Australian Air Force Cadets provides glider training to members with at least 12 months service with the recommendation of their unit CO.



Just fast jets to go now!

[zenlizard]

I keep expecting to see The Powerpuff Girls in the background....

You're not the only one. But I'll take flying planes instead of flying superchildren.

[flash]

Great pics Carl.

[BobP]

Great pics of a great day at the show. Thanks for all of them. Many bring back memories.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

I am getting towards the end of this series of photographs of the RAAF Townsville Open Day, this set covering the jet aircraft on display.

The Hawk 127 lead-in fighter prepares qualified Air Force pilots for operational conversion to F/A-18A and F/A-18B Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets. The Hawk is operated by Number 76 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, and Number 79 Squadron at RAAF Base Pearce, near Perth. Pilots complete a 14 week Introductory Fighter Course at RAAF Base Pearce with the Hawk, which includes general flying, instrument flying, formation flying, night flying and navigation. They then have to pass a 20 week course at RAAF Base Williamtown for instruction in air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons training. Only then can pilots progress to operational conversion to F/A-18A/B Hornet or F/A-18F Super Hornet.



It is a low-wing, all-metal aircraft, fitted with an integrated navigation and attack system, and powered by a single Adour Mk 871 turbofan engine. The avionics system is integrated via a 1553 multiplex database. The principal components are two display and mission computers (DMCs), which coordinate, process and command the display of information from the communications, navigation and attack sub-systems. Each cockpit has hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls. The Head-Up Display (HUD) in the front cockpit and Multi-Function Displays (MFD) in each cockpit present a range of flight information, ranging from aircraft performance and attitude through to equipment status reports. Mission-specific data can be pre-programmed by the pilot and downloaded into the system. Equipment performance, aircraft fatigue and engine life data is monitored and recorded by a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS).



The Hawk 127 armament system provides for the carriage, aiming and release or firing of both practice weapons and conventional and laser-guided bombs, AIM-9M “Sidewinder” missiles and a 30mm cannon. The stores are carried on two wingtip missile stations or pylon-mounted on four underwing and one centreline hardpoints.



Next up the United States Air Force General Dynamics F-16E Fighting Falcon!



There were actually two F-16s present, which had flown in to Australia from their Japanese base for the event.



The F-16 is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) for the USAF as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976.



The back end of the General Electric F110-GE-132 engine.



The F-16 was due to be replaced in USAF service in the mid 2020's by the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II but due to delays in that program the latest F-16 variants will likely see their service life extended.





The pointy end of a very successful air combat system!



Back to Royal Australian Air Force aircraft now looking at the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The Hornet is a twin-engine supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft.



The RAAF has operated F/A-18 Hornet since 1984. The Australian Government purchased 75 "A" and "B" variants of the F/A-18 in 1981 to replace the RAAF's Dassault Mirage III fighters.





Larger than the F/A-18 Hornet, the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet entered RAAF service in 2010 to give Australia an upgraded air combat capability for both air-to-air and air-to-ground mission until the full introduction into service of the F-35.



The F/A-18F Super Hornets are based at Number 1 and Number 6 Squadrons at RAAF Base Amberley. On 24 September 2014, eight RAAF F/A-18Fs, along with a KC-30A tanker, an E-7 Wedgetail early warning aircraft, and 400 personnel arrived in the United Arab Emirates to take part in operations against Islamic State (IS) militants.



I hope you have all enjoyed the 'slide show', I know I had a great weekend!

[zenlizard]

I hope you have all enjoyed the 'slide show', I know I had a great weekend!

I for one immensely enjoyed it.