Located approximately 50km west of Sydney in the beautiful Hawkesbury River district of New South Wales (NSW), RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) base Richmond is presently home to the primary airlift capability of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) with No 86 Wing, Air Lift Group (ALG) providing a tactical and strategic capability. To commemorate the 85th anniversary of the RAAF and the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Government flying school Richmond the second oldest RAAF base in Australia hosted the latest in the series of ADF organized air shows, providing the general public with a wide range of both static and flying displays while showcasing some of the latest and perhaps not so latest military aircraft types. The ever-present cloudy overcast weather conditions did little to deter the approximately 80,000 members of the public who attended over the two days to see what the RAAF had to offer.

The afternoon flying schedule commenced with a stunning demonstration of low level aerobatics by Peter (Pip) Borrman who thrilled the public with an amazing display of aerobatics and agility in his Edge 540. With his trademark smoke “Pip” thrilled the audience with his usual hi-standard of aerial agility and aerobatics. Representing a bygone era was the beautifully maintained De Havilland (DH) Tiger Moth of the RAAF Museum located at Point Cook Victoria, The Tiger Moth was the basic intro trainer in use by Commonwealth countries leading up to and during World War II. Adorned in striking yellow markings, this wonderfully preserved aircraft utilized the grass area to become airborne providing all with an insight of flight from a past era. Other vintage aircraft were Temora Aviation Museum’s Spitfire Mk VII, and P-51D (CAC-18) Mustang. These aircraft represented early generations of RAAF combat aircraft thrilling the crowd with the wonderful sound of their Rolls Royce Merlin engines. Flying displays later in the afternoon featured other Temora jet aircraft including their marvelous Gloster Meteor F.8, De Havilland Vampire and Canberra B1 bomber.

In stark contrast (however also quickly becoming an older type), was the spectacular “dump and burn” performed by an F-111C of 6 Squadron based at Amberley Queensland. The “dump and burn” is achieved by dumping fuel which is lit by the jet exhausts producing a brilliant flame directly behind the aircraft. Several “dump and burn” passes were made over the two days thrilling the audience with a stunning display of heat and light. Australia is the only country in the world that now operates this still very potent strike/reconnaissance aircraft which itself is planned to be replaced by the Lockheed- Martin F-35 (now officially named Lightning II), within the 2014-15 timeframe. However recent media releases have made mention that the Australian Government may be considering acquiring a quantity of Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets as an interim solution until the JSF is delivered.

No 92 Wing based at RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia was well represented by a Lockheed AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) which demonstrated its ease of handling and maneuverability with a display culminating in a mock attack on an ‘enemy’ submarine with hits simulated by (rather loud) pyrotechnic explosions. In their colorful red and white Pilatus PC-9/A trainers the Roulettes provided a reduced but nevertheless thrilling display of formation aerobatics. The reduced performance was due to the fact that their leader, Roulette One, was unfortunately injured in a motorcycle accident which has affected the flying schedule or the rest of the year. The standard mount of the Roulettes is the Swiss manufactured Pilatus PC-9/A Turboprop trainer and while this aircraft, which is also used in the FAC (Forward Air Control) role by the RAAF, is a sturdy and reliable aeroplane the type it will eventually be replaced under Project Air 5428.

As previously mentioned, RAAF Richmond is presently headquarters to No 86 Wing which encompasses Nos 36 Squadron operating the C-130H, 37 Squadron operating the newer C-130J, 33 Squadron operating the B707 and a number of base support elements. As RAAF Richmond is home to the RAAF airlift capability demonstrations of short field takeoffs and landings and the simulated re-supply of ground forces including the insertion of vehicles utilizing the true workhorses of airlift in the form of the C-130H and newer C-130J Hercules aircraft did not fail to impress the public. Also based at Richmond are the Boeing B707 Tankers of No 33 Squadron who provide the air to air refueling and a limited transport and capability for the RAAF. These venerable aircraft will be replaced by 5 new KC-30B Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, the first of which will be delivered in 2009. This will also see the squadron relocate to its new base at Amberley in south west Queensland. An impressive formation fly past which included the three types operated out of Richmond in the form of a C130H, C130J and a B707 proved that formation fly-bys were not just for the fast movers. Within the RAAF, the role of transportation of VIP’s and dignitaries is carried out by No 34 Squadron based at RAAF Fairbairn Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). No 34 Squadron presently operate the Boeing B737 BBJ (Boeing Business Jet) along with several Bombardier Challenger CL-604 (SP) business jets which have replaced the Boeing B707 and Falcon 900 in this role respectively.

Fans of fast jets were well catered for at Richmond with displays of contemporary military jets in service within the RAAF. “The Stingers” was the name given to the four ship formation of No 77 Squadron Boeing F/A-18 Hornets that provided a rare sight in the form of a series of two ship formation take off’s and four ship close formation fly-bys, truly a rare sight indeed. While getting on in years the Hornet will be replaced in RAAF service by the F-35 Lightning II with RAAF F/A-18’s being continually upgraded to maintain their capability against regional threats. Part of the HUG (Hornet Up Grade) Program includes the installation of the latest Boeing JHMCS or Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System. At approximately $100,000 a copy this remarkable helmet provides the pilot with a visual off bore targeting engagement capability when coupled with the newly introduced BAe Systems ASAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile) while the newly acquired APG-73 radar system will provide the upgraded F/A-18 with an increased Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capability. One particularly impressive display was a demonstration of an arrestor gear landing by an F/A-18. While mandatory for safe recovery on board an aircraft carrier, arrestor gear is only used on runways at bases for emergency situations for example during the well publicized wheels-up landing of a No 1 Squadron General Dynamics RF-111C at RAAF Base Amberley last year.

To provide transition training for RAAF pilots to either the F/A-18 or F-111C/G, the RAAF utilizes the BAe Systems Hawk 127 advanced Lead In Fighter/Trainer (LIFT). This two-seat low-wing subsonic aircraft is also capable of fulfilling the light fighter/ground attack role. A No 79 Squadron Hawk provided a very lively display of handling and agility demonstrating the nimbleness of this small but versatile fighter. The Hawk is powered by a single Rolls Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 871 Turbofan engine providing a top speed of 1,207 km/h to a ceiling of 50,000 ft. In the light fighter/attack role the Hawk can be armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air to air missiles (AAM), 30mm Aden canon, and the Mk 82 series of bombs. No 79 Squadron is based at RAAF base Pearce in Western Australia.

A glimpse into the future was highlighted by the presence of a USAF Boeing C-17 Globemaster III of the Hawaii Air National Guard (ANG) which provided a display of its handling and short field take off and landing capabilities. The RAAF is to acquire four of these extremely capable aircraft, the first of which will be delivered in early December 2006. RAAF Amberley Queensland will be home base for No 36 Squadron which will transition from their venerable Hercules to this huge strategic transporter providing the RAAF with a heavy lift capability with true global reach. The C-17 is capable of carrying 77,519 kg of cargo and has a crew of three consisting of pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster the C-17 powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines each producing 40,900 pounds of thrust providing a maximum speed of 500 mph. It’s also interesting to note that a C-17 can carry more cargo just on its tail ramp than the older C-130 can carry in total! Other branches of the ADF were well represented for example Sikorsky S-70A Blackhawk Battlefield Mobility Helicopters of the Army’s 5 Aviation Regt provided a fine display of operational flying culminating in the insertion and extraction of soldiers along with artillery and combat vehicles. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) provided an incredible display of synchronized aerobatics by two Eurocopter AS-350 Squirrel helicopters while heavier Navy heavy muscle was represented by a Sikorsky S -70B2 Seahawk of No 816 Squadron based at HMAS Albatross Nowra NSW.

The 2006 Richmond Defence Force Airshow was a huge success and the crew at RAAF base Richmond should be congratulated for their professionalism and dedication in providing a well run event featuring a diverse range of military aircraft and providing the Australian public with a marvelous opportunity to see the RAAF in action first hand. With the 2007 Defence Airshow being scheduled for RAAF Edinburgh in South Australia in October of that year, the only problem is that we will have to wait so long or the next one. Of course, Checksix will be at Edinburgh to report on the next in the series of Australian Defence Force airshows. Checksix would like to thank Wing Commander David Gaddes and the RAAF Richmond Public Affairs team for their generous support in the making of this report.

Rob Hynes / Editor Checksix

Release 4.0/2008

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