Last Classic Hornet ops at RAAF Williamtown
Dec 14, 2020 15:30:58 GMT 12
Dave Homewood, flyinkiwi, and 3 more like this
Post by mcmaster on Dec 14, 2020 15:30:58 GMT 12
Had the fortune of being in Newcastle and Williamtown end of last week for the displays. For me nicely bookends being at the base when the first 2 arrived in '85. Highlights for me was the 4 ship over Nobbys beach (Town of Newcastle's main beach) which I watched from Fort Scratchley. One of the best displays I've seen. The vid below was the final 8 ship over the base on Friday - weather was looking a bit sketchy but held out just enough. Easty's wing drop outbound saluting the heaps of people on the fence was a nice touch and also the bit at the end where they pulled up and popped the canopies - luvly. Classic Hornet ops will end at Williamtown but will continue at RAAF Tindal with 75 sqn for a while yet. 77 squadron will transition to the F35 next year joining 2OCU and 3 sqn who have around 30 jets now at the base. Saw 4 of those head out Friday and yep they are loud..
Official pics here Link To Gallery:
images.defence.gov.au/S20203977
Video from Nobby's beach (Fort Scratchley) display
www.airforce.gov.au/operations/flying-operations/no-77-squadron-farewells-fa-18ab-hornet
7 December 2020 :
- Four aircraft formation at 10.00am over Nobby’s Beach (Newcastle), and a single aircraft handling display at 2.00pm over Nobby’s Beach and Birubi Beach (Port Stephens).
8 December 2020 :
- Four aircraft formation at 10.00am over Birubi Beach (Port Stephens), and a single aircraft handling display at 2.00pm over Fighter World Museum and Nobby’s Beach (Newcastle).
9 December 2020 :
- Four aircraft formation at 10.00am over Fighter World Museum.
- Up to two F/A-18A/B Hornets will conduct a handling display at 2.30pm at Redhead Beach, including a fly-over of Tuggerah Lake and Lake Macquarie.
10 December 2020 :
- Single aircraft handling display by the Worimi-painted F/A-18A Hornet at 10.00am over RAAF Base Williamtown.
- A four aircraft formation at 2.00pm over Nobby’s Beach (Newcastle).
11 December 2020 – Eight aircraft formation flight over the region covering Nelson Bay, Medowie, Raymond Terrace and Newcastle, followed by a four aircraft formation display at 10.30am over RAAF Base Williamtown.
Official pics here Link To Gallery:
images.defence.gov.au/S20203977
Video from Nobby's beach (Fort Scratchley) display
www.airforce.gov.au/operations/flying-operations/no-77-squadron-farewells-fa-18ab-hornet
7 December 2020 :
- Four aircraft formation at 10.00am over Nobby’s Beach (Newcastle), and a single aircraft handling display at 2.00pm over Nobby’s Beach and Birubi Beach (Port Stephens).
8 December 2020 :
- Four aircraft formation at 10.00am over Birubi Beach (Port Stephens), and a single aircraft handling display at 2.00pm over Fighter World Museum and Nobby’s Beach (Newcastle).
9 December 2020 :
- Four aircraft formation at 10.00am over Fighter World Museum.
- Up to two F/A-18A/B Hornets will conduct a handling display at 2.30pm at Redhead Beach, including a fly-over of Tuggerah Lake and Lake Macquarie.
10 December 2020 :
- Single aircraft handling display by the Worimi-painted F/A-18A Hornet at 10.00am over RAAF Base Williamtown.
- A four aircraft formation at 2.00pm over Nobby’s Beach (Newcastle).
11 December 2020 – Eight aircraft formation flight over the region covering Nelson Bay, Medowie, Raymond Terrace and Newcastle, followed by a four aircraft formation display at 10.30am over RAAF Base Williamtown.