Airshow Archives - Destination's Journey

22 November 202322 November 2023

Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023

Held over the weekend of 18-19 November 2023, the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 featured both air and static ground displays. The first days was a free community events with flying displays over Nobbys Beach and the Newcastle Harbour. Day Two had a nominal $10 entry fee to the RAAF Williamtown Air Force base where most of the aircraft flying on day one were on display. The Royal Australian Air Force and Newcastle Council did an amazing job of organising this event.

Getting There

Parking in the inner city was limited because of road closures. However, the council provided a park and ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, while additional ferries brought people from Stockton where large carparks had been set up.

Day One

Commencing at 10:00 AM, the air display was continuous until 12:30. At 2:00 PM it started again and ran through until 4:00PM. By start time, the foreshore and Nobbys Beach were packed. Additional premium viewing was available at Fort Scratchley, providing the highest vantage point on the day.

Sitting near the surf club we had an excellent view of the displays as they performed just off shore, or flew down the harbour.

Warbirds

Flying started with old warbirds and training aircraft, such as the CAC Winjeel, CAC Mustang (a licence built North American P-51 Mustang) and Supermarine Spitfire. Operated by 100 Squadron RAAF, these old planes preserve the history of military flying in Australia.

Current RAAF Aircraft

Following the warbirds, the RAAF aerobatic team the Roulettes put on a skillful flying display. They were followed by the current combat aircraft operated by the RAAF. Fortunately we brought ear plugs, because we knew the F-35 and F/A-18F would be noisy. They certainly didn’t disappoint and put on an amazing display of their flying capabilities.

Closing out the air display were the RAAF’s larger aircraft, the P-8 Poseidon used maritime surveillance, the E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C and the KC-30 MRTT multi role transport and tanker.

RAAF Roulettes aerobatic team over Nobbys Beach

Lockheed Martin F-35A and CAC CA-18 Mustang over Nobbys Beach Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Lockheed Martin F-35A and CAC CA-18 Mustang over Nobbys Beach

Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Boeing E-7A Wedgetail

Boeing P-8A Poseidon flying over the Nobbys Beach Surf Club Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Boeing P-8A Poseidon flying over the Nobbys Beach Surf Club

Airbus KC-30A MRTT of 33 Squadron RAAF over Nobbys Beach Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Airbus KC-30A MRTT of 33 Squadron RAAF over Nobbys Beach

Lockheed P-3C Orion during the flying display over Nobbys Beach Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Lockheed P-3C Orion during the flying display over Nobbys Beach

The crowd on the beach while a Lockheed P-3C Orion flies over Nobbys Headland

Lockheed P-3C Orion during the flying display over Nobbys Beach — Part of the crowd with a Lockheed P-3C Orion flying over Nobbys Beach

Boeing FA-18F Super Hornet Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Boeing FA-18F Super Hornet

Day Two of the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show

Held at the Royal Australian Air Force Base at Williamtown just north of Newcastle, Day 2 was a non-flying day, although most of the aeroplanes from Day 1 were on display.

The RAAF provided parking on base, with busses taking people onto the base. This was an excellent idea because the base also hosts Newcastle Airport which provides domestic civilian air services. The buses allowed the airport to keep the runway operating while people were transported to an from the display area.

Each of the aircraft on display were attended by RAAF personnel who were happy to discus what they do and the jet’s capabilities. We had a great time walking around them all, including the warbirds.

The Airbus KC-30 MRRT was available for a walk-through but the queue was too long so we just looked at it from outside.

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II A35-37 of 3 Squadron RAAF

Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet A44-218 of 1 Squadron RAAF Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet A44-218 of 1 Squadron RAAF

Boeing EA-18G Growler A46-313 of 6 Squadron RAAF

Pilatus PC-21 A54-038 of the RAAF Roulettes aerobatic team

Boeing E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 of RAAF 2 Squadron

Close up of the radar housing of the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 of 2 Squadron RAAF

Boeing P-8A Poseidon of 11 Squadron RAAF Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Boeing P-8A Poseidon of 11 Squadron RAAF

Airbus KC-30A MRTT of 33 Squadron RAAF Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Airbus KC-30A MRTT of 33 Squadron RAAF

Weapons bay of an Boeing P-8A Poseidon Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Weapons bay of an Boeing P-8A Poseidon

CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk. 23, A68-170 AM-G Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk. 23, A68-170 AM-G

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVI TB863 FU-P of No. 453 Squadron (R.A.A.F). In its original markings

CAC Wirraway A20-653 BF-F of the Air Force Heritage Squadron. Painted in 5 Squadron colours. Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — CAC Wirraway A20-653 BF-F of the Air Force Heritage Squadron. Painted in 5 Squadron colours.

Fighter World

Fighter World the RAAF’s museum of fighters aircraft was open on Sunday and free to enter. Several of the fighters were outside the hanger which was great because the displays inside are usually close together. This allowed us to get close to some interesting planes. Most RAAF operated jets were on display from early Gloster Meteors to F/A-18s and an F-111. See out blog on Fighter World for more information and photos.

Gloster Meteor F.8 in the markings of A77-851, 77 Squadron during the Korean War Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 — Gloster Meteor F.8 in the markings of A77-851, 77 Squadron during the Korean War

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To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.

31 March 20225 April 2022

Warbirds Over Scone Air Show 2022

Warbirds Over Scone Air Show 2022

Having purchased tickets pre-covid, we were pleased to be finally going to the Warbirds Over Scone 2022. Unfortunately, the wet weather that has plagued the summer in Eastern Australia paid a visit. The Sunday we attended was particularly wet. Constant showers and low cloud cover resulted in no planes taking off, which was understandable. You do not put pilots at risk, just for an air show. Anyway, we did get to see the planes on the ground, even if not flying.

Some planes were able to fly the day before, so people who attended on Saturday saw the warbirds in the sky. The big drawcard this year were three Spitfires, four P-51 Mustangs and four P-40 Kittyhawk fighters. This was a record for an Australian air show, with crowds on Saturday seeing them in the sky all together.

Getting There

Driving the hour from Singleton to Scone was an easy drive, despite the wet weather. Parking at the airport was well organised, with a field opposite the entrance set up for cars.

Tickets

We purchased gold tickets online beforehand, but because of covid the air show was delayed almost two years. With no planes flying due to the weather, the advantage of gold class, which was grandstand seating to get a better view of the flying was not there. Because the planes were directly in front of us, we had a close-up view of them. Unfortunately, there was no undercover seating here, so we spent some time in the general admission area, where we could shelter from the rain.

The Air Show

Walking around the airfield we saw the planes that were on display, with several we had not seen before. This included several of the Spitfires and P-51s.

By midday, the organisers cancelled all flying for the day, but opened the flight line, so that spectators could get up close to the warbirds. We thought this was a great fall-back option and jumped at the opportunity. Being able to get up close to the warbirds and talk to the owners and pilots was a real bonus.

We also spoke to the owner of one of the kubelwagens (a German car from World War Two). It turned out to be a survivor from the Battle of Kursk on the Eastern Front. He was great to talk to and very knowledgeable about its history and historic armour vehicles in general.

So, despite the weather and no flying, we saw some great planes, armoured vehicles and spoke to some interesting people. Not the day we had planned, but still fun.

Curtiss P-40N Warbirds Over Scone — Curtiss P-40N

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

27 December 202128 December 2021

Wings Over Illawarra 2021 Air Show

Wings Over Illawarra 2021

Delayed since 2020 due to Covid, Wings Over Illawarra was able to get into the air on the weekend of 27/28 November 2021. Held at Shellharbour Airport, south of Wollongong, the air show was well organised, with plenty of parking and helpful volunteers.

We stayed at a nearby hotel the previous night, because the show was a four-hour drive from home. Our previous visit here in 2018 convinced us that Gold Tickets would be a good idea and we were not disappointed. Not only did they give us great seats and excellent onsite parking, but we got early access to the site. This let us wander around the static displays before the crowds arrived, allowing us to take photos without too many people around.

Weather

Unfortunately, the weather on the day was overcast with showers, but the organizers did a great job getting as many flights happening as possible. Some of the warbirds did not fly, as the risk was too great, but we were able to see them close up because they were parked in front of the Gold Ticket area.

Static Displays

After getting a coffee, we went for a walk through the aircraft on static display. The RAAF had a Lockheed Hercules C-130J on display, which we were able to walk through. The air force also had an F/A-18 Hornet, but it was on the flight line ready for a display.

The Royal Australian Navy and Army contributed helicopters, with the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk demonstrating its flying abilities later in the day.

HARS (previously Historic Aircraft Restoration Society) is based at the airport and had their collection on display. They have an excellent collection, with the MiG-21 being a new addition since our last visit.

Lockheed C-130J Hercules Wings Over Illawarra 2021 — Lockheed C-130J Hercules

Eurocopter MRH-90 Taipan Wings Over Illawarra Air Show 2021 — Eurocopter MRH-90 Taipan

De Havilland Canada Caribou Wings Over Illawarra Air Show 2021 — De Havilland Canada Caribou

Douglas C-47 Dakota A65-95 — De Havilland Canada Caribou

War Birds

The highlight of many air shows are the war birds giving flying demonstrations. The Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, Lockheed Neptune and CAC Wirraway put on a great display Despite the weather. Unfortunately, the Avenger, Corsair and P-51 didn’t fly on the day, but were still displayed for people to see.

Vought Corsair with folded wings Wings Over Illawarra 2021 — Vought Corsair with folded wings

Flying Displays

Apart from the war birds, flying displays were put on by the RAAF with their F/A-18, the Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk and the Sky Aces aerobatic team. These were great to see and our seats in the grandstand gave us an excellent view.

F/A-18A Hornet A21-8 — Lockheed P-2H Neptune A89-273

Vehicle Displays

On the far side of the airfield was a small static display of vintage vehicles and current Australian Army vehicles. This was a fun and interesting area to walk around, as it offered something different to see.

What Did We Think of Wings Over Illawarra 2021?

We had a great day here watching the flying and walking around the displays, despite the gloomy weather. The following day had much improved weather, so the full flying agenda took place. Displays by HARS and access to their museum was a great part to the show.

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Category: Airshow

Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023

Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023

Getting There