Nowra Visitors

[Calum]

2 days before the IFR we have finally had a couple of usual visitors.

First up is the Canadian CP-140 Aurora. Rumour is that this is a replacement for the 2 RCN ships that were supposed to be coming, until they ran into each other :oops:

Unfortunately they are a fair way away.





Next was something we probably won't see again (here at least) a Pakistani P-3. I believe this is one of only 3 they have.









I couldn't get any decent shots of the other P-3's here. But they aren't that rare.

Finally , one of the locals. unfortunately I didn't get a decent shot of the 5 aircraft flypast this afternoon, I assume this is part of the program for the aviation part of the IFR in Sydney on Saturday

[Calum]

A couple more,

Firstly a Wedgetail. We do see these from time to time, but they never stay around long enough for me to capture one









Been a long time since I've see this many big aircraft here

[Deleted]

So many orions! What a beautiful sight! You're a lucky man!!!

[11SQNLDR]

Beaut series of photos thanks mate

[suthg]

Great shots - nice weather, I hope the weekend was fun! And some more camera shots too.

[flyjoe180]

Great photos Calum, cheers.

[beagle]

So, we didn't send one of our P3's then, and we were it's closest neighbour.

[Calum]

Teah the NZ presence was Te Mana with Seasprite. Pity the NZDF couldn't offer a P-3

[beagle]

I take it thats the IRDS turret in front of the sonobuoy chutes
It looks like a 'C' airframe from the 2 side windows up back on the r/h side and not too many other antenna so not too advanced in the P3 world I think ?

[beagle]

From Wikipedia

Three P3Cs, delivered to the Pakistan Navy in 1996/97 were operated extensively during the Kargil Conflict. After the crash of one P-3 the type was grounded due to loss of complete crew, nonetheless these were maintained in armed state in flyworthy condition throughout the escalation period of 2001/02. In 2007, the P-3C aircraft were used by the Navy to conduct signal intelligence missions, airborne and bombing operations in a Swat offensive and the final operations in North. The precision and strategic bombings were carried out by the P-3C aircraft as well as conducting intelligence management on Taliban and al-Qaeda operatives in 2007.[25]

On 22 May 2011, two out of the four Pakistani P-3C aircraft were destroyed in an attack on PNS Mehran Base while parked on the hardstand, during an attack at the Mehran Pakistani Naval Air Base in Karachi.[26] The Pakistani fleet had been readily used in overland counter-insurgency operations. In June 2011, the U.S. agreed to replace the destroyed aircraft with two new ones, with delivery to follow later.[27] In February 2012, the U.S. delivered two additional P-3C Orion aircraft to the Pakistan Navy.[28]