We eagerly looked for "Connie" the restored Super Constellation which had not been able to be present on the last occasion due to delays interstate in its re-painting. But there she was today -alas in a hangar, but that is understandable, as this one of only two left flying in the world. We went aboard.I was very favourably impressed by the amount of space and the generally very civilised layout. We were able to look into the cockpit (see photo below) which was surprisingly small for such a large aircraft flying such long distances. The Navigator's table and space were tiny indeed. We were regaled with many stories by an obviously well-informed and devoted volunteer in the aircraft. His stories of the Super Constellation were loving - but not all flattering. He pointed out how the unusual porpoise shaped fuselage, though beautiful, made the planes relatively expensive to build as every lateral frame was different in size from all of the others.
It was a privilege and a joy to have the chance to see up close and to go aboard an aircraft I have admired since my teens.
Whereas last year the PBY Catalina had been under maintenance and in the Hangar, on this occasion, it was out on the tarmac and its great wingspan was even more impressive as were the perspex "bubbles" over its various crew positions which facilitated observation and defensive gunnery as it carried out its long low-speed rescue and anti-submarine patrols. The original designation "PBY" identified its role as a Patrol Bomber intended to attack enemy shipping. But its flexibility and capability in these other workhorse roles took over. Little wonder that 3,305 were built (US 2,661, Canada 620, Soviet Union 24). So tenacious were they in their anti-submarine roles that two of their Pilots received the Victoria Cross for bravery in pressing home their attacks on U Boats.
With a range of just over 4,000 Kms and a cruise speed of 125 mph (max 196 mph), they were ideally suited for their role. My favourite story of the Catalinas relates to an Australian Catalina in WW II in the Pacific whose 10 man crew were surprised to find that they were all Catholics. They adopted the custom during their long and often tedious patrols of saying the Rosary, using their intercomm., as the plane loafed along looking for submarines in the Pacific.
Surely one of the neatest designs of the early jet age was the Sabre Jet. The version of the plane built in Australia was a very particular development of the original American plane. It used a far more powerful English Rolls Royce Avon jet engine theoretically capable of delivering twice the thrust and twice the thrust to weight ratio. Yet the Avon engine was shorter and lighter than the American General Electic J 47 engine, but it was wider. The adjustment to the fuselage was then, considerable, in fact, 60% of it had to be re-designed. Fuel capacity was also increased to meet Australian requirements. All told, 112 were built. They were flown not only by the R.A.A.F. but also by Indonesian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
The Air Show also presented one-time enemy aircraft such as the Nazi Focke -Wulf 190 Fighter. The plane is a surprisingly modern plane by 1950s standards was designed in 1938 and built in quantity from 1941 to the end of the war in 1945. Over 20,000 of them were built. They are said to have been superior to contemporary Spitfires in the early stages of the War in everything but turn radius.
An array of training aircraft and historical fighters was presented ready to do their best for the entertainment of spectators.
The stars of the Show were undoubtedly the two FA 18 Hornets. These trim and beautiful fighters demonstrated their remarkable speed ( up to 1,915 kmph) and exceptional manoeuvrability and rate of climb. The whole performance is breathtaking.Need less to say they are crowd favourites.
SUMMARY
"WINGS OVER THE ILLAWARRA" was again a remarkable Show, I have not mentioned the low passes by the gigantic jet C 17 Globemaster Heavy lift aircraft, and the Alenia Spartan light transport plane.
Nor have I mentioned the several varieties of the awe-inspiring exhibition and stunt flying demonstrations from the 6 RAAF "Roulettes" - brilliant to several individual stunt flyers whose performances scared me witless -lest anything should go wrong. I covered these at greater length in last year's post: http://butnought.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/taking-wing.html
Make a resolution now to watch out for next year's Show and be sure to go. You will not regret it.
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| Boarding the Super Constellation surely one of the most beautiful commercial airliners of all time. |
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| The surprisingly small cockpit of the Constellation -note the Navigator's table bottom RH corner. |
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| The port wing of the Super Constellation. One of 856 built she is one of only two still flying in the world. |
Whereas last year the PBY Catalina had been under maintenance and in the Hangar, on this occasion, it was out on the tarmac and its great wingspan was even more impressive as were the perspex "bubbles" over its various crew positions which facilitated observation and defensive gunnery as it carried out its long low-speed rescue and anti-submarine patrols. The original designation "PBY" identified its role as a Patrol Bomber intended to attack enemy shipping. But its flexibility and capability in these other workhorse roles took over. Little wonder that 3,305 were built (US 2,661, Canada 620, Soviet Union 24). So tenacious were they in their anti-submarine roles that two of their Pilots received the Victoria Cross for bravery in pressing home their attacks on U Boats.
With a range of just over 4,000 Kms and a cruise speed of 125 mph (max 196 mph), they were ideally suited for their role. My favourite story of the Catalinas relates to an Australian Catalina in WW II in the Pacific whose 10 man crew were surprised to find that they were all Catholics. They adopted the custom during their long and often tedious patrols of saying the Rosary, using their intercomm., as the plane loafed along looking for submarines in the Pacific.
 |
| PBY Catalina Amphibious Flying Boat. |
Surely one of the neatest designs of the early jet age was the Sabre Jet. The version of the plane built in Australia was a very particular development of the original American plane. It used a far more powerful English Rolls Royce Avon jet engine theoretically capable of delivering twice the thrust and twice the thrust to weight ratio. Yet the Avon engine was shorter and lighter than the American General Electic J 47 engine, but it was wider. The adjustment to the fuselage was then, considerable, in fact, 60% of it had to be re-designed. Fuel capacity was also increased to meet Australian requirements. All told, 112 were built. They were flown not only by the R.A.A.F. but also by Indonesian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
 |
| The beautiful CA 27 Sabre Jet an Australian built substantial variant of the American F-86F Sabre Jet. |
The Air Show also presented one-time enemy aircraft such as the Nazi Focke -Wulf 190 Fighter. The plane is a surprisingly modern plane by 1950s standards was designed in 1938 and built in quantity from 1941 to the end of the war in 1945. Over 20,000 of them were built. They are said to have been superior to contemporary Spitfires in the early stages of the War in everything but turn radius.
 |
| FOCKE WULF 190 Nazi Fighter Plane |
The stars of the Show were undoubtedly the two FA 18 Hornets. These trim and beautiful fighters demonstrated their remarkable speed ( up to 1,915 kmph) and exceptional manoeuvrability and rate of climb. The whole performance is breathtaking.Need less to say they are crowd favourites.
 |
| The stunning FA 18 Hornet makes a low level pass. |
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| Having landed, the Hornet makes this a "Field of Dreams" for the young lad in the white hat. |
"WINGS OVER THE ILLAWARRA" was again a remarkable Show, I have not mentioned the low passes by the gigantic jet C 17 Globemaster Heavy lift aircraft, and the Alenia Spartan light transport plane.
Nor have I mentioned the several varieties of the awe-inspiring exhibition and stunt flying demonstrations from the 6 RAAF "Roulettes" - brilliant to several individual stunt flyers whose performances scared me witless -lest anything should go wrong. I covered these at greater length in last year's post: http://butnought.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/taking-wing.html
Make a resolution now to watch out for next year's Show and be sure to go. You will not regret it.
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