BREAKING the BARRIERS was the catch cry of the 2007 AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW held at Avalon Airport, located some 45 kilometers south-west of the City of Melbourne Victoria. With this sappy slogan not only was tribute paid to some of the greatest achievements in aviation history but it also provided an opportunity to check on the current status of Australia’s own aviation industry. Over the past few years the Australian Government, along with leading aerospace companies, have made great efforts to keep this important industry not only alive but also at the forefront of aviation technology, usually in concert with leading companies within the field. This unity was demonstrated through the closing of ranks with the United States as the leader in cutting edge defence-technology and was a logical step in advancing these efforts. As such it is the aim of the ”Aerospace Industry Action Agenda” (the official government designation for this plan) not necessarily to possess a totally independent aviation industry but also to engage local industry with other leading international aerospace companies. 

Historically, Australia has mainly utilized license-built foreign designs (with a few exceptions such as the CAC CA-12 Boomerang) or designs upgraded or slightly modified to meet Australian standards (usually in partnership with the original manufacturer) while maintenance was generally carried out by local Australian companies to help obtain greater opportunity within this area. This approach is not unique to the aviation sector and is also utilized in other areas of Australian industry including Research & Development (R&D). A visible sign of the effectiveness of the Action Agenda was highlighted by its stated intention to increase Australia’s export volume up to 3.5 billion AUD through to FY 2012, an increase of almost fivefold of the current amount although as to wether this ambition is to be achieved remains to be seen, however all parties involved are confident.

In total the Action Agenda comprises of 16 different points, whereof 10 have already been achieved. Two principal issues involve the creation of a centralized organisation to represent Australian industry overseas (successfully implemented in many other countries) and the implementation of an international certification system. The latter was one of the biggest handicaps for exporting companies. Within the commercial sector particularly Australia is trying hard to establish its own industry, seeking out niche markets to offer its own innovative solutions, there is however still some way to go. One company offering a successful export product is Gippsland Aeronautics Inc which is marketing their single-engine AIRVAN which has been successfully exported in limited numbers to several international customers.

Australia’s aforementioned unity with the USA as a prime distributor of cutting-edge defence hardware is reflected by the current range of acquisitions presently being undertaken by the Australian Defence Forces (ADF). Only two weeks prior to the Australian International Airshow the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced the acquisition of 24 Boeing F/A-18F SUPER HORNET (Block II) multi-role aircraft. These aircraft will replace the Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of venerable General Dynamics F-111C Strike/Fighters while providing an interim capability until the introduction of the Lockheed Martin F-35 LIGHTNING II. Until recently one would have expected the F-111 to remain in active service at least up to 2015 – although this seems to be highly unlikely. A number of the worlds leading military experts look upon the SUPER HORNET as NOT a worthy successor of the 30 year old Fighter/Bomber made by General Dynamics (better known as the “PIG” Downunder).

The Boeing F/A-18F SUPER HORNET is a fourth generation fighter, which is tailored specifically to meet US Navy requirements. Even if this aircraft is a more or less completely new (as claimed by the manufacturer), it has to be said, that the F/A-18E/F/G is still based on the original specifications of the older Hornet (while fulfilling its requirements satisfactorily, contrary to the original Hornet). The only true innovation of the SUPER HORNET (apart from its state-of-the-art glass cockpit) is its new APG-79 radar, even though the 400+ delivered aircraft until today are all equipped with the older APG-73 radar system. Regionally, a number of potential ADF adversaries have continued to rearm with the latest Russian made hardware such as the Sukhoi Su-30 MKM (Malaysia for example has just ordered 24 such aircraft). 

When compared to the Sukhoi the SUPER HORNET really doesn’t fare too well at all, a point that has lead to some experts asking whether the decision to acquire the SUPER HORNET is a sound one, especially as the Australian Government has also opted for the controversial Lockheed Martin F-35 LIGHTNING II as the eventual successor to the RAAF’s ageing fleet of F/A-18 HORNET and F-111C Strike/Fighters. The seriousness and ramifications of these political decisions has caused some concern within the Australian public as was evident at Avalon. It’s also interesting to note that apparently the organizers ‘Airshows Downunder’ had requested the participation of the brand new Boeing F-22 RAPTOR (which had recently been forward deployed to Kadena AFB Okinawa) from the USAF.  However while the response from the USAF was positive the Australian Government had nevertheless categorically declined the offer! Instead of the F-22 another Boeing model in the form of the more well known F-15C EAGLE attended, ironically also coming from the Kadena AFB Okinawa and sadly a missed opportunity. 

The Airshow public days took place over the 4th weekend of March. Between the 20th and 23rd of March the exhibition was opened for trade visitors and industry professionals only. This attracted a huge crowd who witnessed a comprehensive program. Nevertheless there weren’t really that many new highlights when compared to previous shows held at Avalon with the amount of non-Australian aircraft reduced to only a few models. Apart from the already mentioned F-15C there was an additional solo display of a Lockheed Martin F-16C and a very restrained fly-by from a Boeing B-52H STRATOFORTRESS. The only genuine foreign highlight was the appearance of the Alenia C-27J SPARTAN, a possible successor to the De Havilland Canada DHC-4 CARIBOU. The SPARTAN had its debut in Australia and impressed all with a truly remarkable display of handling and agility. Actually this aircraft is an upgraded G-222 and is equipped with the same engine and similar avionics as the C-130 J-Model.

Another large transport aircraft to make an appearance was the newest addition to the RAAF’s fleet in the form of the Boeing C-17A GLOBEMASTER III. Australia is the third customer (the USAF being the first and the RAF being the second) to acquire this large and highly successful strategic airlifter. Unfortunately however the newest addition to the RAAF fleet was on static display only, flying displays being performed by the USAF C-17 in attendance. Australia has ordered four C-17 aircraft with the second GLOBEMASTER III due to be delivered later this year. The RAAF C-17 was flown to Avalon by Wing Commander Linda Corbould who is also the first female Commanding Officer (CO) of an operational military unit. As a strategic airlifter the C-17 will provide the RAAF with a new capability in the form of true strategic reach and as such will supplement the current fleet of RAAF tactical transport aircraft.

A large proportion (actually an overabundance) of the air displays were the aerobatic performers. Apart from well-known local jocks such as Chris Sparou and Peter ‘Pip’ Borrman there also was Jim LeRoy, the famous US Champion who performed a great show with his tiny yet overpowered ‘BULLDOG’, a highly modified Pitts S2. Another well known Champion in the Unlimited Class is Jurgis Kairys, with his special formation called ‘The Air Bandits’. Jurgis Kairys is a native of Lithuania and is also a multiple aerobatic champion who for many years has flown and developed several Russian-built Sukhoi aerobatic aircraft. His favorite mount at the moment is the “JUKA”, named after his initials. This aircraft is still in prototype form and incorporates extremely lightweight construction and a comparatively powerful 400 HP radial engine which provides the tiny machine with outstanding performance. Together with New Zealander Robert E. Fry and Japanese aerobatic champion Yoshi Muroya, Yurgis Kairys created the very special ‘Air Bandit’ formation – a truly unique aerobatic team.

In regard to warbirds and oldtimers the Avalon Airshow is always in a class of its own. Within Australia there are many rare aircraft still in airworthy condition and some of them were on display at Avalon. The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) currently possess one of the largest collections (currently consisting of 17 aircraft!) of Warbirds within the Southern Hemisphere. HARS’s main attraction at Avalon was the popular Lockheed C-121C SUPER CONSTELLATION along with the very rare and highly welcomed Lockheed NEPTUNE P2-V7 and Consolidated PBY-6A CATALINA. All of the HARS`s aircraft are in remarkable condition and took part in the flying display although unfortunately minor technical problems precluded the NEPTUNE from taking to the air. The SUPER CONNIE`s take off is a spectacular experience for everyone with the mighty 18 cylinder Curtiss-Wright R3350-93A Turbo-Compound engines, each rated at 3,400 HP, producing long flames >from the exhausts – truly a spectacular sight, especially at night.

The PBY-6a CATALINA was originally flown as a water-bomber in Portugal and Spain and was later procured by HARS and restored sporting the colors of the famous RAAF ‘Black Cat’ squadrons of World War II. This PBY is a living memorial to the many Australians who made the supreme sacrifice during the dark and desperate days of the Second World War, in particular the Pacific campaign. Also from these times was the next aircraft on display, which was an Australian modification of the North American AT-6 Advanced Trainer, produced locally as the CAC CA-16 WIRRAWAY (aboriginal for CHALLENGER). One of these aircraft was even credited with the shooting down of a Mitsubishi A6M-2 ZERO – not too bad for what was originally a training aircraft. Another CAC (Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation) product present was a CA-18, which was a license-built P-51D MUSTANG, enthusiasts could also see a perfectly restored Curtiss P-40N Kittyhawk and a very nice reproduction of the famous Yakovlev Yak-9 UM (both aircraft utilize the same engine in the form of the Allison V1710-99 rated at 1,200 HP).

At the end of each days show a performance by the General Dynamics F-111C provided an extraordinary display which has inspired the young and young at heart for many years, this display included the trademark ‘dump & burn’ maneuver which has become the highlight of every show. The dump & burn consists of fuel being dumped and ignited by the afterburners resulting in a flame approximately 30m long with the heat actually being felt from the ground, there is no more spectacular way to end an Airshow! It is just a pity that within a few short years this incredible aircraft will never be seen again in the skies over Australia. If oversees visitors would like to see this remarkable machine in the air one more time, then he needs to make a mark in his date book: March 2009. This is the date for the next AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW at Avalon airport. CU

Robert Kysela / managing editor CHK6

Release 4.0/2008

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