Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 Open Day at Rockhampton Showgrounds - Army Tiger ARH A38-020 on Display

Hundreds of people from all over Central Queensland turned out in force on Sunday 5 July for the Talisman Sabre 2015 Open Day at the Rockhampton Showgrounds.

Displays included light and heavy vehicles, bushmasters and an M1A1 Abrams tank all of the Australian Army, along with troop carriers also of the visiting New Zealand Defence Force.

Weaponry was on display by the Australian Army and United States Army (US Army) as well.

The Australian Army band provided entertainment, and there were also several displays of antique and period costumes and memorabilia.

On the bottom oval at the Showgrounds, an Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter - A38-020 - was on open display.  It had earlier arrived as "Griffin 41" from Shoalwater Bay.

While it was a little disappointing that the number of helicopters and vehicles on display was a little down on previous years - and the absence of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and United States Navy (USN) was noted by a few - the day was still an overwhelming success with many people still queued up for a look at the Tiger at closing time.

As some photos to be posted shortly will show, the two crew in A38-020 certainly attempted to make it up to those disappointed few by putting a spectacular handling display as they departed to Gladstone later in the day!