A Couple More Photos as Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina VH-PBZ and De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou VH-VBA Depart Emerald Airport for Townsville

As we reported below, a pair of Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) antique aircraft arrived into Emerald Airport from the South on Wednesday 12 October.  They were identified as Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina VH-PBZ (aka A24-362) "Felix" (The Black Cat) and former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou transport aircraft VH-VBA (ex-A4-210).

As expected, on Thursday 13 October, both aircraft departed Emerald Airport for Townsville where it is expected that they will participate in this weekend's T150 Defence Force Air Show and Open Day.

Of interest, the HARS Lockheed P2H (P2V-7) Neptune VH-IOY (ex-A89-273) also arrived at Townsville on Thursday 13 October arriving direct from its Wollongong base.  All three HARS aircraft are pictured below at Townsville on Thursday 13 October.

More information on these great historic aircraft can be found at the HARS website:  http://hars.org.au/

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina VH-PBZ and De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou VH-VBA at Emerald Airport Heading to Townsville

The arrivals into Townsville for this weekend's T150 Defence Force Air Show and Open Day continue to pass through Central Queensland Airports with a nice pair of aircraft flown by the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) spotted at Emerald Airport on Wednesday 12 October.

Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina VH-PBZ (aka A24-362) "Felix" (The Black Cat) and former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou transport aircraft VH-VBA (ex-A4-210) both arrived from the South.

It is expected that on Thursday 13 October, both aircraft will continue to Townsville where it is expected that they will participate in this weekend's T150 Defence Force Air Show and Open Day.

Of interest, the HARS Lockheed P2H (P2V-7) Neptune VH-IOY (ex-A89-273) is also expected to arrive in Townsville on Thursday 13 October.  It is unclear where if it is due to call into CQ while on the way!

More information on these great historic aircraft can be found at the HARS website:  http://hars.org.au/

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Some Photos from Thursday at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport

I enjoyed another absolutely fantastic day at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport on Thursday 28 February, highlighted by the welcoming and very accommodating exhibitors who opened up their aircraft to visitors and media to look through.  One such exhibitor is Gulfstream, where Tony and Steve welcomed me on board their two display aircraft - the Gulfstream G280 and Gulfstream G560.

The Gulfstream G280 - N280GD - is Gulstream's newest bizjet, boasting superiority in all areas of the super mid-size business jet market, encompassing outstanding performance, comfort and advanced technology to bring together this best-in-class aircraft.  The G280 also boasts the longest range at fastest cruise speed in the super mid-size business jet category.

A quick look at the flight deck reveals that the G280 improves safety through reduced pilot workload and improved situational awareness. Safety during low visibility operations can be further improved with the optional Heads-Up Display (HUD).

The Gulfstream G650 - N650PH - is Glufstream's new ultra-large-cabin, ultra-high speed business jet that is, according to Gulfstream, "the gold standard in business aviation". the G650 is the flagship of the Gulfstream fleet.  It flies faster, farther, and more comfortably than any other business aircraft in its class.

I'd like to thank Tony and Steve for their kind hospitality on the day!

Meanwhile, I was also able to pop my head inside the Bombardier Global 6000 N381GX.  Again, this is a very sophisticated and very attractive business jet, which also features an ultra-modern flight deck.  Bombardier states that the Global 6000 is "the performance benchmark in the ultra-long-range jet category".

Lastly, I was welcomed on board the largest business jet at Avalon, the Airbus Corporate Jetliner, or A319CJ.  The A319CJ is a long range corporate jet development of the A319 airliner, designed to compete directly with other larger and dedicated long range business jets.  The A319CJ on display - 9H-AVK of Comlux Aviation Malta is an Airbus A319-115(CJ) - is truly a spectacular looking aircraft.  

My breath was taken away when I stepped inside and saw the truly opulent interior which featured sitting area, bedroom and ensuite bathroom.

The flight deck of the A319CJ is essentially the same as the A319 airliner.  I was even allowed to dream and sit in the left seat of this $85 million corporate jet!

Away from the business jets, I popped over to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft on display, and ventured into Lockeed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-466 which was open for inspection.  

Crew members were very welcoming, explaining in detail about tasks that the Herc carries out, and the various configurations that the inside can take.  Eventually, I was invited to the flight deck, with all its screens and buttons, and its Head's Up Display (HUD).

Elsewhere at Avalon, there was an influx of small light aircraft arriving for Airshow.

Also arriving for their roles in the Airshow's flying displays this weekend were the aircraft of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS).  The star of the HARS fleet is no doubt their Lockheed C-121C (L-1049) Super Constellation VH-EAG "Connie".

HARS has also acquired a pair of former RAAF DHC-4 Caribou transport aircraft.  Pictured below is VH-VBA (ex-A4-210) arriving from Wollongong.

Later, VH-VBA participated in the afternoon flying display which was highlighted by another spectacular performance by a flight of four RAAF Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornetts (Rhinos). 

As they prepared for their show, RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-206 touched down.

The Rhino's performance was very well received, and included two parts - formation flying and then a simulated air field attack.

Lastly, Australia's own 'Top Gun', former RAAF Fighter Combat Instructor, Matt Hall, put on a truly amazing and spectacular aerobatics display in his MXS-R aircraft VH-CQE.

It was truly an amazing day at the Airshow.  The public are welcomed from tomorrow afternoon, and the airborne action is set to heat up even more!

CQ Plane Spotting Historic Spot: Federation Airshows in the Outback - Clermont Aerodrome - Thursday 19 July 2001

I've made contact with Keith James, who lives in Clermont, and worked at Clermont Aerodrome for many years before retiring a couple of years ago.  Keith has many images that he took while working as the Aerodrome caretaker - refuelling aircraft and the like - and recently he passed on to me a small selection of images from his vast collection.

Amongst his images are a number of scans of photos he took on Thursday 19 July 2001, when "Federation Airshows in the Outback" came to Clermont.

A series of airshows were held throughout regional Queensland during July 2001, to celebrate the Centenary of the Federation of Australia.  The tour programme was jam packed, with airshows and displays stretching the length and breadth of Queensland, and specifically in Central Queensland, they were held at Charters Towers, Clermont, Capella, Emerald, and Roma.

The participants in the airshows were varied, from small single engined cessnas, to high performance racing aircraft, to old classic aircraft and warbirds.  The Clermont community was treated to a visit by "Connie", the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Lockheed C-121C (L-1049F) Super Constellation VH-EAG.

"Connie" is shown below firing up on the Clermont Aerodrome apron, and then departing off Runway 15, bound for Emerald (as Keith recalls).  In the foreground of the picture is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou which was also a participant.

Another classic aircraft to visit Clermont was Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) - Hawdon Operations - Douglas DC-3(C) VH-AES.  VH-AES was one of two DC-3s that participated in the tour, mostly alongside the Ansett Airways Douglas DC-3 VH-ABR.

Another HARS aircraft that was photographed at Clermont was De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Mk-2 Drover VH-DHM.

Of course, the airshow wasn't complete without an air display, and as Keith recalls, this was put on by a team of North American Harvard aircraft known as the "Southern Knights" aerobatic display team.  The North American AT-6C Harvard IIA shown below - VH-XNZ - was part of the team.

My big thanks to Keith James for his contribution to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog - we hope to bring more historical images from Central Queensland in the months to come!