Wings over Illawarra 2012

[Tim B]

Wings over Illawarra is not far away now (May 6).
Their website at www.woi.org.au lists the flying program.
A good day at the airport, but not much fun getting out of the carpark at the end of the day.

[Ryan N]

Public transport would be the way to go, with extra train services from Sydney.

http://www.cityrail.info/travelling_with/events/120506-wings_over_illawarra;jsessionid=DCC6DB2A112CFE14E6 79AD212064037F.node01

[Raymond Rowe]

Quite a few of us AGO Vets will be there from airshows downunder.

[Greg McDonald]

Does anyone know if there's a connecting shuttle service between Albion Park station and the airshow?

[Adam P.]

It's not a long walk.

[Ryan N]

Even if there is a shuttle, it would be quicker to walk given the huge amount of traffic in that area. I drove through there earlier this afternoon and the traffic was quite heavy.

[Grahame Hutchison]

I have driven down from Sydney the last two years, and as long as you leave early, the traffic and parking were no problem at all. There was only a 1km line of traffic going into Albion Park, however this still moved quite well. The venue parking is excellent.

The 2010 and 2011 shows were excellent, and 2012 should be no exception.

[Tim B]

The last time I was there was 2010 and everybody decided to leave after the FA-18 did its display.
It is not listed on the program, so there might be a more steady stream of people leaving rather than one big rush.
Its a good excuse to stay back for a bit longer and watch planes departing for their home airport.

[Ryan N]

From the WOI website.

Travel by Train Albion Park Railway Station will be specially staffed for the WOI 12 AIR SHOW and there is a SPECIAL HALF HOURLY timetable which will run all day.

SO-park at a convenient Railway Station ( NOTE Wollongong/ Unanderra or Oak Flats have lots of free parking) and catch the train to Wings.

THERE IS A SPECIAL FAMILY CONCESSION RETURN FARE AVAILABLE ON THE DAY. THIS SPECIAL FARE CANNOT BE PRE BOOKED YOU MUST PURCHASE THE RAIL TICKET ON THE DAY OF WINGS

WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE STATION- just walk across the Highway using the traffic lights and you are at able to enter the airport by special entry gates to be installed for the WOI 12 Event AND YOU WILL HAVE AVOIDED THE HIGHLY LIKELY TRAFFIC JAMS AND SUBSEQUENT DELAYS OF COMING AND DEPARTING BY CAR .

[Nigel C]

Catalina made a splash and go on Lake Illawarra today. It's now the third water contact she's had since joining the HARS fleet.

[Dean D]

Link for Catalina video - touch and go on Lake Illawarra is:

http://illawarramercury.com.au/specialfeature.aspx?id=5853

[Nigel C]

It's been a sunny day with light winds and I imagine the crowds there are huge. It's a bit hard sleeping between nightshifts with an airshow outside the bedroom window, so here's a sample from my back yard.
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/WOI2012.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/WOI20124.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/WOI20122.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/WOI20123.jpg

[Jaryd stock]

Gee's it's good to see the Caribou in the air, good photos Nigel..

[Grahame Hutchison]

This was how I saw WOI 2012 today, enjoyed the show, and good to see a number of new aircraft participating. The weather this year was perfect, and the change from February to May worked out quite well. There was no traffic driving down from Sydney, and arriving just before 9am I drove straight into the car park.

Neptune 566
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-012.jpg

Albatros L-39C VH-WFY
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-019.jpg

RAAF Hercules A97-441
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-030.jpg

Kittyhawk P-40N VH-ZOC
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-042.jpg

Lockheed Hudson 414-MkIII
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-045.jpg

Grumman TBM-3 Avenger
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-104.jpg

Refueling the Kittyhawk P-40N VH-ZOC before its performance
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-120.jpg

NSW Police Eurocopter EC135 P2+ VH-PHM
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-121.jpg

Skydive The Beach Team
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-124.jpg

Skydive The Beach Team after their jump
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-127.jpg

Kittyhawk P-40N VH-ZOC
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-129.jpg

Mustang P-51 A68-118 VH-AGK "Eclat"
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-133.jpg

RAAF King Air 350 A32-439
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-138.jpg

Sikorsky S-76A
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-146.jpg

Ambulance Service Of NSW Agusta AW139 VH-SYJ
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-155.jpg

[Grahame Hutchison]

English Electric CanberraT.4 A84-502
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D200-2012-05-06-166.jpg

Red Berets Parachute Team
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-185.jpg

Super Constellation VH-EAG with characteristic flames from the exhaust
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-202.jpg

UH-1B Iriquois
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-226.jpg

Roulettes
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-239.jpg

Roulettes
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-242.jpg

Roulettes
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-244.jpg

Roulettes A23-059
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-254.jpg

Roulettes A23-058
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-256.jpg

Roulettes A23-060
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-258.jpg

Roulette A23-046
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-260.jpg

Roulette A23-057 performed a single display
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-281.jpg

Vampire RAAF-119
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-288.jpg

Vampire RAAF-119
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-292.jpg

Wirraway A20-176
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-337.jpg

[Grahame Hutchison]

Wirraway A20-653 VH-BFF
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-352.jpg

Wirraway A20-653 VH-BFF
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-384.jpg

Vampire RAAF-119
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-393.jpg

Meteor A77-851 VH-MBX
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-400.jpg

Cessna A-37B Dragonfly VH-AZD
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-402.jpg

Skydive The Beach Team
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-404.jpg

Skydive The Beach Team member makes the smoke cannister safe.
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-412.jpg

Skydive The Beach Team high fives all around
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-428.jpg

Caribou A4-210 touchdown
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-458.jpg

Mustang P-51
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-499.jpg

Ecureuil AS.350B2 VH-AGL
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-500.jpg

http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-516.jpg

Harvard NZ1081 VH-PEM
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-522.jpg

Harvard NZ1081 VH-PEM
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-523.jpg

Neptune A89-273
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/WOI 2012/D300-2012-05-06-552.jpg

[Greg McDonald]

Great shots Grahame!!

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Yes, excellent photos.

with the Vampire, RRAF-119, I'd say it's Royal Rhodesian Air Force with a distinct roundel (looks like a spear). Never seen that one before.

Last time I went there was in 2002 and there wasn't much flying for some reason except for the Roulettes and one of the L-39's.

[Raymond Rowe]

Was a great show the only thing i could fault was where they parked GSE in front of the public.Could have been parked elsewhere.

[Jaryd stock]

You are correct Peter that is Rhodesian colours on the Vampire I think that's Judy Pay's one, I thought it is based at Tyabb but could be mistaken...

Did a Hornet make an appearance or not?

[callum bain]

just a question on what i missed out on this year did the canberra fly?

[Grahame Hutchison]

You are correct Jaryd, the Vampire is a former Rhodesian Air Force aircraft, VH-ZVZ (R4221) built in 1954 and owned by Judy Pay from Tyabb Victoria.

The Hornet did not make an appearance, however the Roulettes put on a good show with four aircraft (I think they said Roulete 5 had a problem, and there was one on the ground during the display). The main display was followed by a single Roulete display in A32-057.

I also heard there was a petition to sign about the Hornet's non-attendance at the show.

Callum, the Canberra is static display only, and the guys I spoke to said it would take someone with $1.5mio plus to get it airworthy again.

[callum bain]

Ok, well it is such a shame to see such a beautiful aircraft on static display.

[Nigel C]

You could make the trip to Temora and see one in action.

[callum bain]

Thanks for the tip been to temora before always a great airshow.

[Kent Broadhead]

Grahame - thank to your pics I discovered yesterday that the father-in-law of one of my work colleagues was one of the organisers. The colleague's comment was "great pics, but they don't show the feel of the day, with the motorcycles etc" :) Tried to tell him this was an aviation site, but anyway....

Unfortunately had other commitments on so couldn't make it, but my wife was so impressed with a tour at HARS earlier in the year I'm sure I could have talked her into a visit. (actually, I've talked her into Richmond and Avalon in the past, so it wouldn't have been so difficult :) )

Thanks again!

[Nigel C]

Poor Blackhawk pilots must have got lost for the weekend. We just had 3 ships in formation come and go through YWOL.

[AdamC]

Same formation through nowra, for a touch and go.