Exercise Wallaby 2018 - Volga Dnepr Antonov AN-124 RA-82044 at Rockhampton Airport to take RSAF Apache Helicopters Home

On Sunday 4 November, Volga-Dnepr Airlines Antonov AN-124-100 RA-82044 made a spectacular arrival onto Runway 33 at Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived as "VDA1119" direct from Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

As expected, there was a small crowd of spectators to watch the arrival of the massive aircraft.

The Antonov taxied in and parked on Gate 6 on the southern end of the Rockhampton Airport parking apron.

Soon after, the Antonov was lowered into its unique kneeling position and the front then opened.  It was to load the four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters in preparation for their delivery home to Singapore. 

The Apaches have been in Rocky to take part in the Singapore Armed Force's Military Exercise Wallaby 2018.  As we have posted previously, they have been completing regular sorties to and from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

At the time of writing, RA-82044 was expected to depart Rockhampton Airport for Darwin and Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore as “VDA1120”.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Scott H, Trevor H and ‘IAD’ for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the Antonov!

Photos taken by Scott Harris, 'IAD' and Trevor Hardsman  ©