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This
helicopter is a rare flying legend: The Sikorsky S-64 F Skcyrane! It was a very
great pleasure for me to see this very big helicopter flying at the Australian
International Airshow 2001 because I have not seen a Scycrane in the air before. I think
many people know the Scycrane as the CH-54 Tarhe, its U.S. Army designation. Many
of this helicopters saw extensive service with the U.S. Army at the Vietnam war. Civil
companies use the Skycrane mostly as a heavy-lift crane helicopter (you can read it in the
name Skycrane). But there are also many other jobs for this powerful big helicopter. The
american company Erickson Air-Crane use the S-64 F as a fire-fighting helicopter. |
 
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At fire-fighting missions the S-64 F Skycrane is equiped with a 9000 litre
water tank. The Skycrane can self refill the water tank with the snorkel at lakes or other
water sources near the fire. So the Skycrane can fly many fire-fighting missions
successively. This Skycrane here was manufactured in 1970. The helicopter was chartered by
the state of Victoria for several months to extinguish bush-fires, grass-fires and
forest-fires during the "fire-season" in Australia. |
 
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The
Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan is a brand-new aircraft, developed and produced
in Australia. This eight seat utility aircraft is for example very interesting for
customers who want to buy a new aircraft to replace the Cessna 206. It is also interesting
for customers who needs a new aircraft which is not so big as the Cessna Grand Caravan. |
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There
was a good offer for helicopter pleasure flights at the airshow heliport. A big fleet of
helicopters has flown and many people enjoyed the bird's-eye view on the Australian
International Airshow 2001! I have also enjoyed a very nice pleasure flight in this Hughes
500 D! |
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At the east side of the Airshow area on the Avalon airport was established a
very busy heliport. One of the many helicopters there was this RAAF Sikorsky S-76 Rescue
helicopter. |
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During
the pleasure flight in the Hughes 500 D I have enjoyed a wonderful view on the Airshow
area at the Avalon airport! Here you see the mighty Rockwell B-1 B Lancer, the Boeing
KC-135 Stratotanker and the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress of the U.S. Air Force on
the south side of the Static Display. |
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This
U.S. Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle taxies back to its parking position
after its pilot has flown a first-class demonstration with the aircraft. |
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The
strategic heavy bomber Rockwell B-1 B Lancer with swing-wings was to see for the
first time at an Australian airshow. This B-1 here was to see in the static display. |
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Many interesting aircrafts of the U.S. Air Force participated in the flying
display of the Australian International Airshow 2001. Here is to see the new long-range
haeavy lift transport aircraft of the U.S. Air Force, the C-17 A Globemaster III.
The C-17 was originally designed by McDonnell Douglas, but the Boeing Company has
taken over the McDonnell Douglas Corporation and since that time the aircraft has the name
Boeing C-17 A Globemaster III. |
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There
was not only one Rockwell B-1B Lancer to see at Australian InternationalAirshow
2001! A second Rockwell B-1B Lancer of the U.S. Air Force has given a very impressive
flying display! Take off and landing of this second B-1B Lancer was not at Avalon airport
but far away at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley in Queensland. |
 
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With the Hornet it is the same as with the C - 17: The Hornet was originally
designed by McDonnell Douglas, but after the taking over of McDonnell Douglas by the
Boeing Company, the Hornets have now the new name Boeing F/A-18 Hornet. And You can see
here the newest variant oft the Hornet, the improved Super Hornet. The United States Navy
has shown a stunning flying demonstration with this two-seat Boeing F/A-18 F Super
Hornet! |
 
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The
gigantic strategic heavy bomber Boeing B-52 Stratofortress with eight ( ! ) engines
was one of the U.S. Air Force guests in the static display. |
 
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The F-16 jet was originally designed by General Dynamics, but now the name is
Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon. Maybe You know the F-16 also as the
"Viper", its nickname. The United States Air Force has shown the excellent
aerobatic capabilities of this powerful aircraft. The most stunning manoeuvre of the F-16
display: a high-speed climb up including 13 ( ! ) rolls! |
 
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A
very rare sight for an aviation enthusiast from Europe: An aircraft of the Republic of
Singapore Air Force. Here a Boeing KC-135 tanker. |
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A guest from Great Britain: The British Aerospace Nimrod
maritime-reconnaissance and anti submarine warfare aircraft of the Royal Air Force is
always a impressive sight in the air! |
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This
BAC Strikemaster jet trainer served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force for many
years. Now the aircraft has a civil owner. Australian Jet Adventures use this
Strikemaster for adventure flights. For 1.950,- Dollars the passenger can experience a
impressive Strikemaster jet flight with aerobatics, and the passenger can also take over
the controls himself! Unfortunately I had not enough money available this year. But at the
next Australian International Airshow in the year 2003 I hope I can enjoy a wonderful
adventure flight in the BAC Strikemaster!!! You are also interested to fly in the
Strikemaster? Take a look at: www.austjetadv.com |
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One of the most beautiful aircraft in the world: The Boeing 747-400,
well-known as the legendary Jumbo Jet! It is always a great pleasure for me to fly
in the Jumbo! The Boeing 747-400 here in the static display belongs to the very good
Australian airline QANTAS. |
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The
Australian Aerobatic Champion Tom Moon has shown a world-class aerobatic display
with the German-built high performance aerobatic aircraft Extra 300. |
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A very good airshow must have a very good Wing Walker display. And such
excellent and spectacular wing walking as during the Australian International Airshow 2001
I have never seen before! The very impressive gravity defying display of wing walking by Anders
Brandi on, between and even under the wings of the Super Stearman was
incredible! Eddie Andreini is the pilot of this Super Stearman, a modified Boeing
Stearman with a canopy and not the usual open cockpit of the Stearman biplane. Eddie
Andreini and Anders Brandi are from Half Moon Bay in California / USA. The commentator
said the payment for their fantastic performance is "35 Dollars and all the food you
can eat". But I suppose this was the usual payment in the old Barnstormer times of
1930. |
 
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The
glider pilot Manfred Radius has flown a very nice aerobatic performance in the H 101
Salto sailplane, by day as well as in the night! The climax of his show by day was the
ground-level inverted ribbon cut. His impressive night show was an aerobatic performance
accompanied with pyrotechnics! The H 101 Salto fully aerobatic sailplane was constructed
by Mrs. Ursula Hänle in Germany.The Salto is an old design and the production has ended
several years ago. But Mrs. Hänle will be happy if she can find anyone who want to
produce the H 101 Salto sailplane again! Are You interested? Or do You know anyone who has
enough money and know-how to produce the aircraft again? If yes, send a fax to Mrs. Ursula
Hänle.The number is: (Germany) 33875 / 30389. |
