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Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023

CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk. 23, A68-170 AM-G over Nobbys Beach Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 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.

CAC Winjeel A85-439 over Nobbys Beach
CAC Winjeel A85-439 over Nobbys Beach
CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk. 23, A68-170 AM-G over Nobbys Beach Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023
CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk. 23, A68-170 AM-G over Nobbys Beach
RAAF Roulettes aerobatic team over Nobbys Beach
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
Lockheed Martin F-35A over Nobbys Beach
Lockheed Martin F-35A over Nobbys Beach
Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023
Boeing E-7A Wedgetail
Boeing P-8A Poseidon
RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon
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
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
Lockheed P-3C Orion during the flying display over Nobbys Beach
Lockheed P-3C Orion during the flying display over Nobbys Beach
Pilatus PC-21 of the Roulettes
Pilatus PC-21 of the Roulettes
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
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
Boeing EA-18G Growler A46-313 of 6 Squadron RAAF
Pilatus PC-21 A54-038 of the RAAF Roulettes aerobatic team
Pilatus PC-21 A54-038 of the RAAF Roulettes aerobatic team
Boeing E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 of RAAF 2 Squadron
Boeing E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 of RAAF 2 Squadron
Boeing E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 of 2 Squadron RAAF
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
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.
CT-4 Airtrainer A19-077
CT-4 Airtrainer A19-077

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.

Australian War Memorial 1945 to Today

Long Range Patrol Vehicle MC2-Land Rover 110 6x6 used by the SAS in Iraq and Afghanistan Australian War Memorial

Australian War Memorial 1945 to Today

During our previous trip to Canberra, the gallery “Conflicts 1945” to Today in the Australian War Memorial was closed because of the renovations. This time however, it was open, so we took the opportunity to look around.

This gallery commemorates all the conflicts involving Australians from 1945 to today. This includes Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as numerous peace-keeping operations.

Korean War

This section commemorates Australia’s participation in the Korean War, particularly the army’s 3RAR, the RAAF’s 77 Squadron and the Royal Australian Navy.

Of the 17,000 Australians who served in Korea, casualties numbered more than 1,500, of whom 339 were killed. The majority served with the Australian Army.

The RAAF’s 77 Squadron was initially equipped with North American P-51 Mustangs, but these were later replaced with Gloster Meteor jet fighters. These, however, were outclassed as a fighter by the faster and more manoeuvrable MiG-15 operated by the Chinese and North Korean’s. As a result, they undertook ground attack missions in support of UN forces.

The RAN stationed HMS Sydney in Korean waters equipped with Firefly and Sea Fury aircraft. These made over 2,700 sorties, losing 9 aircraft with three aircrew killed.

Vietnam War

Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War lasted from 1962 until 1973. Over 60,000 Australians participated, the majority being from the army. Of these 523 were killed and nearly 2,400 wounded.

Long Tan Cross

One of the most interesting displays in the Long Tan Cross, erected after the Battle of Long Tan, to commemorate those who died.

In August 1966 a company of 6RAR was engaged in one of Australia’s heaviest actions of the war, in a rubber plantation near Long Tan. The 108 soldiers of D Coy held off an enemy force, estimated at over 2000, for four hours in the middle of a tropical downpour. They were greatly assisted by a timely ammunition resupply by RAAF helicopters, close fire support from Australian artillery, and the arrival of reinforcements in APCs as night fell. When the Viet Cong withdrew at night fall, they left behind 245 dead, but carried away many more casualties. Seventeen Australians were killed and 25 wounded, with one dying of wounds several days later.

Displayed in the Dong Nai Museum in Bien Hoa after the war, the Government gifted it to Australia in 2017.

Other Vietnam War Displays

Representing the Royal Australian Navy’s contribution to the war is a model of the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney. Other Australian ships provided escort, or fire-support duties, while aircrew served with US forces.

The Australian Army has displays covering the major equipment used, including artillery, an armoured personnel carrier and an Iroquois helicopter in the act of inserting troops.

Iraq and Afghanistan

This section covers Australia’s more recent involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Peace Keeping

Some of Australia’s more important and long-term engagements have been peacekeeping deployments. These have been important because they assist in stabilizing areas of unrest while helping the local people recover from or avoid conflict. A map illustrating where deployments are or have been was very interesting. Many of these have not been well represented in the press, despite their contribution to world peace.

What Did We Think?

As the War Memorial continues its redevelopment, older areas such as this will be modernised. It is still an amazing pace to visit because of what it represents and has many great displays.

Canberra Airport Hudson Bomber

Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra Airport

Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 at Canberra Airport

Something you don’t expect to see is a five-tonne bomber on the second floor of an airport terminal. However, Canberra Airport has a Lockheed Hudson bomber doing just that. Sitting at the far end of the check-in desks, it’s a monument to all of the RAAF crews who served in similar aircraft during the Second World War.

Lockheed Hudson

Developed from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra airliner, the Lockheed Hudson was a light bomber and maritime patrol aircraft. Initially developed for Britain just prior to the Second World War, the Hudson. Of the 2,841 Hudsons built, 247 served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Following Japanese attacks on Malaya, Hudsons from No. 1 Squadron RAAF became the first Allied aircraft to make an attack in the Pacific War, sinking a Japanese transport ship, the Awazisan Maru, off Kota Bharu at 0118h local time, an hour before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105

Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 was built in 1938. It arrived in Australia in early December 1941 and was used to train RAAF aircrews. Between December 1942 and January 1943 it saw operational service in Papua and New Guinea, carrying out supply flights during the Allied advance on Buna, on Papua’s north coast.

After the war, A16-105 was flown as a photographic survey aircraft. It completed its last flight in 1998, and was purchased by the Australian War Memorial in 2001. It has since undergone an extensive restoration to its wartime configuration.

If you are interested in more of our photos of Lockheed Hudson bombers you can find them here.