Once again it was time for the latest in an ongoing series of Australian Defence Force (ADF) air shows. On the weekend of 4-5 October it was the turn of RAAF Base Amberley Queensland to host the 80,000 people who attended over the two days to witness what the ADF had on offer. Under perfect Queensland skies an opportunity was provided for the general public to see the ADF in action both on the ground and in the air. It’s also interesting to note that the Amberley base itself is in the process of a transformation into Australia’s first “superbase” with a considerable number of RAAF and army elements now being co-located there. Flying commenced at approximately midday on each day commencing with the obligatory parachute display teams. Once all parachutists were safely on the ground aerobatic daredevil Pip Borrman was next to appear with his usual stunning display of precision aerobatics in his Edge 540. This fully aerobatic aircraft is powered by a single Lycoming 300 HP engine providing a maximum speed of up to 386 km/h and a climb rate of up to 4000 ft per minute.

Aircraft of yesteryear were represented by the Temora Museum collection with their immaculate Lockheed Hudson and CAC Canberra bombers, both restored to pristine flying condition while their Gloster F8 Meteor and De Havilland Vampire provided a glimpse of their faster moving cousins. The first of the RAAF’s contribution was in the form of the venerable Lockheed/Martin AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from RAAF Base Edinburgh South Australia. The AP-3 is the latest rendition of this venerable MPA which is due to be replaced in US service by the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, which like the Orion is built on a standard commercial airframe.   The AP-3 is powered by four Allison T56 Gas Turbine engines each producing 4,600 shp providing a top speed of 750 km/h. Armament typically consists of air to surface guided weapons, bombs and mines.
The Roulettes provided the team aerobatic activities again for this year’s show with their usual stunning display of precision close formation flying. The Roulettes are equipped with the Pilatus PC-9/A high performance trainer. The PC-9/A is a modern tandem seat, gas turbine powered, low wing trainer which is the standard training aircraft of the RAAF.  The PC-9/A is also utilised in the fast Forward Air Controller (FAC) role within the RAAF to support army operations. The PC-9/A in service with the RAAF is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney PT-6A-62 Gas Turbine engine producing 950 shp providing a maximum speed of 576 km/h.

The flying displays provided by F-111 aircraft of were impressive and were highlighted by a new routine where an R/F -111 of No 6 Sqn carried out a low slow pass with wheels down, then turns away from the crowd line performing a dump an burn while climbing away, truly  an incredible sight. Sadly though, this outstanding strike/fighter will not be with us for much longer being replaced by the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet from 2010. While the “Super Bug” is a very capable strike fighter in its own right it does have big boots to fill as the F-111 leaves a capability gap very few more modern aircraft can effectively fulfil. More RAAF fast movers were next with the British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 Lead In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) and the Boeing F/A-18 Hornets of Fighter Group. The Hornets in especially provided an incredible demonstration of close formation flying which was particularly impressive considering formation flying is not the regular role of these pilots. RAAF Hornet’s is due to be replaced by the Lockheed/Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) from 2015 however as to whether this state of the art fighter will be available in time still remains to be seen.

With the ADF becoming more involved in combat operations further from our shores such as Iraq and Afghanistan, the requirement to effectively support ground forces deployed in these areas is equally as important. A newly acquired capability was displayed in the form of the brand new Boeing C-17 Globemaster III operated by No 36 Sqn RAAF based at Amberley. The C-17 is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117 PW 100 engines providing a maximum speed of 830 km/h. Range is 4,482 kms and up to 102 passengers or 36 litters and 56 seated casualties can be carried.  The C-17 is an extremely versatile strategic airlifter that is also capable of medical evacuation and support to humanitarian relief operations. A smaller, slower but nevertheless timeless tactical airlifter in the form of the  Lockheed/Martin C-130 Hercules provided a display of resupplying troops on the ground from the air by dropping equipment by parachute. A special “Herc”, as it has become to be affectionately known, was displayed to commemorate 50 years of operation from 1958 to 2008 with a specially painted C-130 of No 37 Sqn. While on the subject of Hercules, a very special visitor was a USAF Special Operations MC-130H Combat Talon II however sadly only on static display.

Static displays also included everything from a Singaporean F-16 (Block 52) Falcon and two USAF F-15C Eagles to RAAF Airfield Defence Guards (ADG). The role of the ADG is to provide security for RAAF bases and installations and is similar in many ways to Britain’s RAF Regiment and USAF Security Police. Airfield Defence Guards were first established in October 1942 as No1 Airfield Defence Squadron and went on to see action in New Guinea and the South Pacific. ADG’s have since been deployed on active service throughout many parts of the world including Viet-Nam Afghanistan, Cambodia, East Timor, Iraq, Kuwait, the Solomon Islands and Thailand and more recently to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). On display at Amberley was the diverse range of vehicles utilised by the ADG’s including Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV), Polaris 4x4 Quad Bikes and Landrover 4WD Surveillance/Recon vehicles.

The 2008 Amberley show was not up to the same standard as the show held in 2004, which was particularly highlighted by a lack of army involvement and participation of relatively exotic foreign aircraft present that did not fly. However the prime reason for the Defence air shows is recruitment and as such there is no doubt that the Amberley show would have had succeeded in that area and in providing the public with two very entertaining days of aviation action.
Checksix would like to thank the ADF and in particular the crew at Boeing Australia Amberley for their generous support during our attendance at the Amberley airshow.

Rob Hynes / editor