Thunderbirds for Townsville?

[Tony P]

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/

Thunderbirds may show at Townsville air spectacular

MALCOLM WEATHERUP

March 17th, 2009

A SPECTACULAR air show, tipped to feature the
world's leading formation flying team the USAF
Thunderbirds, is pencilled in for Townsville later this year.

The Strand is expected to be packed with more than 100,000 spectators on the weekend of September 26-27 to watch what is shaping up to be a display to outshine the wildly successful Townsville air shows of the early 1990s.

The Townsville Bulletin understands negotiations are well advanced between the RAAF, the Townsville City Council, the civilian airport managers and other parties on the details of the two-day event.

A program will be put before Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon for his approval within a month.

The Bulletin understands that an afternoon to twilight aerial display is planned for Saturday, September 26, while Sunday may feature an open day at RAAF Garbutt, with a second flying program being considered. The centrepiece on the Saturday is likely to be the USAF Thunderbirds.

See the US Air Force Thunderbirds in action


Two of the elite display squadron's officers inspected the Townsville facilities and display air space earlier this month.

The Bulletin understands they were impressed with the facilities and the venue.

Air Commodore Phillip Byrne, who is in charge of ensuring that all arrangements meet feasibility study criteria, is in Townsville at the moment talking with the city council, local RAAF personnel, Townsville Enterprise and other groups. Air Commodore Byrne was reluctant to divulge details yesterday, emphasising that the final word was with the Defence Minister and he didn't wish to pre-empt or speculate on Mr Fitzgibbon's official decision.

The air show is expected to include the RAAF's traditional F-111s, which will perform a traditional `dump and burn' for spectators along The Strand.

There is also a possibility the popular Roulettes will strut their stuff. Other displays are expected to come from the C-17 Globemaster, Hercules, Caribou, F/A-18 Hornet, Hawk, Army Helicopters, Squirrel Pairs Display Team, Seahawk, War Birds and Red Berets.