RAAF & RAN WW2 & Korean Conflict Fighter Heritage Flight

See history come to life and help celebrate the Royal Australian Air Force’s 90th Anniversary at the Wide Bay Australia International Airshow 2011 in Bundaberg.

The Wide Bay Australia International Airshow is generating great interest overseas as one of best Displays of Vintage and Warbird aircraft in the Southern Hemisphere. And it is with great excitement that we can announce the inclusion of a RAAF & RAN WW2 & Korean Conflict Fighter Heritage Flight, make sure you bring your camera for this one.

The flight will consist of five of the key RAAF & RAN that served on the front lines defending the nation in our time of need. Aircraft in the heritage flight will include.

The Wirraway, which although thought of by many as a trainer was the first RAAF Aircraft to fire a shot in anger against Japanese forces in the Pacific. The CAC Wirraway which is Aboriginal for 'challenge' was built as an advanced trainer however at the outbreak of WW2 Wirraways were deployed to forward bases in Malaya, Rabaul , and Darwin . In January 1942, Flight Lieutenant B. Anderson of No 24 Squadron became the first RAAF pilot to engage in air-to-air combat in the South-West Pacific, when his Wirraway intercepted a Japanese flying-boat over Rabaul. A fortnight later, Wirraways based at Rabaul achieved immortal fame when eight Wirraways, engaged a force of over 100 Japanese fighters and
bombers.

The CAC Boomerang is significant as the first combat aircraft designed and built in Australia and in a feat of pure Australian ingenuity the first aircraft progressed from drawing board to first flight in only 14 weeks. In contrast to Europe or North Africa, the ground war in the jungles of the south-west Pacific, demanded a completely different style of flying where pilots needed to stay close to the troops flying at high speed close to the ground as possible where the Boomerang’s heavy armament and sprightly low-level handling, extensive armour plating and rugged construction helped pilots avoid ground fire, where the Boomerang gained the enemy nickname “Whistling Death” due to it’s formidable firepower and distinctive engine and exhaust sound when in a dive.

The CAC Mustang, The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation built 200 CAC-17 & 18 Mustang’s in Victoria under licence from North American Aviation in the U.S. and although built in Australia, is known more famously under it’s U.S. designation of P-51D. Historically the Mustang is renowned as one of the greatest warplanes ever built and upon its introduction into service during WW2 proved to be one of the marvels of aviation that provided to be a turning point in World War II and in spite of being superseded by jet fighters the Mustang remained in service with some air
forces until the early 1980’s.

The P40 Kittyhawk was the main fighter used by the RAAF in World War II and in greater numbers than the Spitfire. RAAF Kittyhawks also played a crucial role in the South West Pacific theatre. They fought on the front line as fighters during the critical early years of the Pacific War, and the durability and bomb-carrying abilities (1,000 lb/454 kg) of the P-40 also made it ideal as a ground attack aircraft.

Hawker Sea Fury - The last propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Australian Navy, The Sea Fury was also one of the fastest production single piston-engine aircraft ever built. The Sea Fury served with the Royal Australian Navy with distinction on the aircraft carriers HMAS Sydney and HMAS Melbourne. In August 1948, Royal Australian Navy 805 Squadron Fleet Air Arm squadron operating Hawker Sea Fury Mk II aircraft formed part of the 20th Carrier Air Group embarked on HMAS Sydney. During September 1951, 805 Squadron deployed to Korea and served with distinction being awarded with the battle honours being awarded to the squadron during the deployment.

Join us at the Wide Bay Australia International Airshow and experience first hand our World War II tribute with the most varied collection of World War II Fighters to gather in Queensland.

The Wide Bay Australia International Airshow 2011 will be held in Bundaberg on the 19th – 21st August 2011. Early Bird tickets are currently available. Visit us at www.widebayairshow.com.au for further information and for early bird tickets. Early bird specials only available until 30 June 2011.

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