A Few More Plane Spotting Photos from Rockhampton Airport Last Week

Local plane spotter Phil M continues to send through stunning images of some of more unique visitors and goings-on at Rockhampton Airport, including Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 performing a missed approach on Monday 28 July.

Also spotted visiting Rocky on Monday 28 July was McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-MWZ.

And nearby - and as reported below - the locally-based Hawker Siddeley Aviation T.75A - Hawker Hunter - VH-XHH was sitting outside of its hangar.  As it turned out, VH-XHH was later broken up and prepared for export to Canada.

However, one of the more interesting events at Rockhampton Airport on Monday 28 July that Phil was on hand for to capture some images of occurred at the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) hangar on the General Aviation (GA) side of the Airport.

Recently retired RFDS pilot Neville Wilson - who has committed the past 20 years of his flying career to transporting the sick - was the guest of honour at a party inside the RFDS hangar to celebrate his remarkable career.

National media were also on hand, and Neville taxied RFDS Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-FDI out and back onto the RFDS apron, via another water cannon salute from the Airport Fire and Rescue Service.

The story made on Monday of Neville's career then appeared on Channel 9's Today Programme on Thursday 31 July.  A link to the story can be found here:  http://short.ninem.sn/UsL7iuF

At Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 31 July, Phil captured some great photos of the late afternoon arrival of Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YFN from Brisbane as VOZ1245.

On Friday 1 August, The Queensland Government Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY called in briefly from Brisbane.

After only 15 minutes on the ground, it departed back to the state's capital.  Presumably, the visit was part of a training flight.

Finally, on Sunday 3 August, Phil captured some nice departure photos of QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXD.

Certainly some great photos from Phil.  We thank him sincerely for sending them through, and for his continued support of the CQ Plane Spotting Blog.

All photos taken by Phil M  ©

Also Spotted at Rockhampton Airport Thursday - RAAF Super King Air A32-349 "Hudson 08"

Along with capturing photos of the locally-based Hawker Siddeley Aviation T.75A - Hawker Hunter - VH-XHH - as it was broken up at Rockhampton Airport late on Thursday 31 July, plane spotters 'IAD' and Trevor H also captured a couple of great images of some interesting late afternoon visitors including Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-349.

After conducting air work over Taroom, the Super King Air - operated by 32 Squadron and using the radio callsign of "Hudson 08" - then overflew Rockhampton Airport, before performing a 'touch-and-go' on Runway 33.

A32-349 continued further North to Townsville.

Earlier on Thursday 31 July, Brisbane-based Cirrus SR22 VH-YDM touched down at Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast, having arrived there earlier from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, parked on the Rockhampton Airport General Aviation (GA) Apron were R-Mach Aviation's Weatherley Aviation 620A VH-WEA and Ayres S2R Turbo Thrush VH-NFF.

Also visiting was Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YFN which was captured departing Rocky for Brisbane as VOZ1248.

Although, as we posted below, the undoubted highlight of the afternoon was seeing the sad sight of locally-based Hawker Siddeley Aviation T.75A - Hawker Hunter - VH-XHH - being broken up and prepared for shipping overseas to Canada.

Thanks guys for the great photos!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Trevor Hardsman  ©

Rockhampton-based Hawker Hunter VH-XHH Broken up and to be Shipped Overseas

Earlier this week, local plane spotters Kayanne H and 'IAD' noted that Rockhampton-based Hawker Siddeley Aviation T.75A - Hawker Hunter - VH-XHH - was making a rare appearance outside of its hangar at Rockhampton Airport.

Well, on Thursday 31 July, it was noted that VH-XHH was being broken up into parts, and these parts were being placed into two large shipping containers.

Local plane spotters Ben O and Trevor H have sent through some great photos of the dismantling and storage of this great aircraft - and great piece of Rockhampton Aviation history.

Information suggests that VH-XHH will be tomorrow - Friday 1 August - begin an export journey to North America - to take up residence and hopefully see greener pastures in Canada.

Thanks guys for capturing these great photos!

Photos taken by 'IAD', Ben O'Dowd and Trevor Hardsman  ©