What was the best ever airshow in australia

[Guest Capt Rex Kramer]

The Bicentennial Air Show 1988 Richmond NSW. This one put any avalon airshow to shame,F15 Eagle Hornets which were new on the scene,british Tornado and Harrier jump jet Nimrod,canberra bomber,C5 Galaxy,skyhawkes around 5 if a remember right, the giant russian Antinov 124,F111 of course,and the last ever flight and display of the mirage in orange and white colors and wait for it they all flew displays. The antinov was spectacular the take of was so steep and on of the turns so sharp when it banked the wing tip went past vertical a lot of us thought the pilot.was close to losing control.The harrier jumpjet was brilliant one of the loudest planes i have ever heard same for the tornado.The crowds were so huge they had to cut a path back through the crowd for the antinov with the massive wings and engines passing over the crowds heads.The static display was big with the biggest variety i have ever seen on display, not to mention displays by the RAAF in the huge aircraft hangers Richmond being a working base made it all the more interesting, all in all something that still has not been matched in variety and sheer numbers of fighter jets

 

 

[Guest OzChris]

Must have been a pretty cool airshow!

 

They say that Avalon would not have been if it werent for Richmond '88

 

 

[Guest airsick]

I agree with the Richmond 88 sentiment. I was pretty young but remember it well. The Harrier display always stands out in my mind as one of the best I have ever seen. And loud? Yes, I agree it was ****** loud!

 

 

[Guest Capt Rex Kramer]

I might also add the last ever airshow flight of the Mirage was also spectacular it was sad to see such a great old plane go. Its to bad we dont have one still flying at airshows, i was told by an army rep at avalon in 07 that we sold them to pakistan or one of those countries. I think there was also a flight demo of a F-14 tomcat but i just cant remember i do still have the video so i will have a look.

 

 

[Guest Darren Masters]

I think I have a video of this one. Remember parts of it. I was 10 then :biggrin:

 

 

[Guest David C]

I remember that airshow very well , the first time I had been to an airshow in Aussie since migrating here . I was full of admiration for the event , but mistakingly assumed all airshows in Australia were of that quality . I soon came down to earth when I attended my first and only Avalon show a few years later , what a fizzer that was !! ... Never to bother going again ..

 

Dave C

 

 

[TAA Student Pilot]

Richmond was well worth the trip, doubt we'll ever see one of that quaility again in OZ. On the other hand Temora put on 6 or 8 shows a year that are brillant. I don't know what overseas shows are like but doubt you could get as close as Temora. Lots of close safe flying demonstrating Aircraft brilliantly, although it won't be the same without Tom I'm sure he won't be forgotton at Temora.

 

 

[Guest David C]

I'll have to pay a visit to Temora one of these days , I have heard from many a person that it is a good show ... BTW Student pilot , just how do you fit in that C172 mate , you must be 20' tall !!! :biggrin: :tongue:

 

DaveC

 

 

[TAA Student Pilot]

Student pilot , just how do you fit in that C172 mate , you must be 20' tall !!! :biggrin: :tongue:DaveC

I'll make am admission and say that's not actually me, I'm only 155cm tall. That Aircraft is a 150 and I'll admit getting my 240 kilo's in it is a struggle. :biggrin:

 

 

[Guest Chainsaw]

I'll have to pay a visit to Temora one of these days , I have heard from many a person that it is a good show ... BTW Student pilot , just how do you fit in that C172 mate , you must be 20' tall !!! :biggrin: :tongue:DaveC

Dave, don't even think about it, just go there. You will need to book accommodation well in advance too.

 

Temora Flying days are a MUST MUST do.

 

 

[Coop]

Yep, I have fond memories of the Bicentennial airshow at Richmond. Probably have to wait another 200 years for the next one.

 

I enjoyed the first Avalon I went to. Took Dorothy of course and put her on display. The first year I was there they had the massed balloon ascent in the evening and it went off very well. Also I remember seeing a "wing walker" alhtough I think his "axle swinging" event was the most impressive. I think that occurred at a later show- I've been to three. And I was lucky enough to see the Bob Hoover demo. While the Avalons I saw were not up to the Richmond, they were still pretty good. However, I agree there isn't enough that's new each time to warrant returning every year.

 

Coop

 

 

[Scottw]

I wanted to go to the 88 Airshow but was 14 and too young to go on my own. However i did get to see a couple of the stars of the show. We had reli's who lived at Richmond at the time and we were visiting for a 4 day period, only 2 weeks (approx) before the event. I remember clearly seeing the Sabre practicing its routine, Vampire, formation of Herc's, Caribous and saw the Harrier Jet too. And saw them very close as the house we stayed in was roughly 1/2 mile from the end of the runway so they were pretty close when on final. I also have the video and have watched it many, many times. I am looking to get it put onto DVD soon before the tape wears out.

 

And have the earlier Avalon shows, 95',97',99' shows on video too. they were not bad to watch either.

 

Great times

 

Scott