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The Australian International Air Show, Part II: Flying Machines
by Dr. Simon NgArticle Type: Feature
Article Date: April 18, 2001
Photographs by Mark Forrest
<<== Back To Part I
More Than Just Fighters
In Part I of my report on the Australian International Air Show, my focus was most definitely on jet aircraft of the nimble variety. It seemed the logical starting point for any discussion of an international air show; after all, the show at Avalon was a celebration of the Royal Australian Air Force’s 80th anniversary, so highlighting all those planes that epitomised a modern air force seemed appropriate.
The Royal Australian Navy insignia.
But such a focus belies the diversity of technology displayed at Avalon. As everyone knows, it isn’t just the air force that wields ‘air’ power, and air power isn't comprised solely of small, high-speed jets. To illustrate the former point, the United States Navy is renowned for its ability to deliver airborne havoc, with its fleet of F-14s, F-18s and so on. The Royal Australian Navy doesn’t have a significant air wing: our last aircraft carrier, the HMAS Melbourne, was decommissioned some time ago. The Australian Army, on the other hand, does maintain a sizeable helicopter fleet (formally accepting command of the RAAF' helicopters in 1988/89). To illustrate my second point (that it isn't just about jet-fighters and helicopter gunships), a number of significant larger aircraft, including military transports, bombers and commercial airliners, were also at the show. This second instalment of the Australian International Air Show feature delves into these non-fighter-jet experiences. Again, Mark (my photographer) has managed to capture some great shots, and they are, of course, included as supplements to the text.
The Australian Army insignia.
So here we go. Another look at what Australia and the world have to offer!
Helicopter Upgrade
At the same time that the RAAF is looking at replacements for the F/A-18 Hornet and the F-111, the Australian Army is looking for a future attack helicopter to supplement its ground forces. Currently, the Australian Army boasts a triumvirate of rotary wing aircraft: the most recognisable is the twin-rotor CH-47 Chinook, followed closely by the famous UH-60 Blackhawk and finally by the venerable UH-1H Iroquois. Added to this is the Bell JetRanger, used principally by the Australian Army as a light reconnaissance aircraft.
Two is always better than one.
The famous UH-1H Huey, of Vietnam fame.
The mighty Blackhawk.
The recent Federal Government White Paper outlining Australia’s defence priorities for the next ten years identified the need for a well-trained (obviously), well-equipped Army that has the capacity to respond rapidly and decisively to any ‘credible’ threat in Australia or Australia’s immediate region. The paper underscores a move away from heavily armoured elements for the Army, instead emphasising a balance between mobility, firepower and readiness. As part of this balancing act, combat weight is of considerable importance. A desire to ensure that the Australian Army can muster necessary levels of firepower and protection in any ‘credible’ contingency led the Federal Government to propose additions to the Army’s aircraft. Both the Blackhawk and the Iroquois are venerable platforms that have served the Australian Army well either during or after Vietnam. More recently, they have continued to be of value in Australia’s East Timor operations. However, they don’t represent the firepower/mobility edge that the White Paper calls for as part of the effort to ensure that the Australian Army possesses sufficient combat weight to carry out its expected roles.
To redress this short-coming, the Australian Army is currently trialing a range of options for two squadrons of armed reconnaissance helicopters, destined for introduction around 2004-2005. Such an addition will constitute a significant new capability for the Australian Army. One of the aircraft being considered is the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow (along with the Eurocopter, which wasn’t present except in model form). The Apache performed some almost unbelievable feats of manoeuvrability and versatility at the air show, including a sideways slip that quickly recalled the pop-up attack trick. The AH-64 Apache is a combat proven design, and is currently fielded by a number of the world’s Armed forces, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States. Singapore, a neighbour of Australia, recently purchased eight AH-64D Longbows, emphasising the need for Australia to respond in order to maintain regional competitiveness.
The deadly silhouette of the Apache.
Because of Australia’s new strategic policy, the capacity for rapid troop motion in response to varying possible crises is of considerable importance to our defence force. Consequently, the Australian Army is also evaluating options for troop-lift helicopters, destined to operate from the troop ships HMAS Manoora and Kanimbla.
B1-B Beautiful, B Impressed, B Expensive
An eagerly anticipated event was the fly-over of one of the most potent bombers operating in the world today: the B1-B Lancer. Its undeniable reach (intercontinental without refuelling) was emphasised by the fact that it was operating out of an RAAF base in Queensland, some 3000km north of where we waited. It appeared on the northern horizon like a glinting cut in the sky, and the anticipation of the crowd as it approached was almost palpable. As it flew past, I could do nothing but admire its sleek, almost swan-like, form, and cover my ears at the terrible noise it made. One must, however, question the decision to field such an expensive piece of hardware. The cost prohibits any single Defence Force from owning more than a handful of B1-Bs. Even the United States Air Force only purchased one hundred. Of course, maybe, in relation to the B2, the B1 might be considered cheap.
Two-hundred million dollars of high technology.
Heavies In The Light
Sometimes, one forgets that air power isn’t simply about fighter and bombers, attack helicopters and night-time interceptors. The crowd at Avalon was reminded of the fact that air transports are as significant to any military operation as are Apaches, Falcons and B1-B Lancers when the jaw-droppingly huge Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport taxied into view. If the B1 was a swan, the C-17 was closer to an elephant with wings. Capable of carrying 160,000lbs of payload (73,000kg) and with an ability to make short-stop landings and take-offs (on runways shorter than 3000ft), the C-17 represents the cutting edge of strategic transport technology. The ability of the Globemaster III to make short landings—a critical capacity in real-life operation where the C-17 might be required to service small airfields—was admirably demonstrated at Avalon. Using an externally-blown flap system that provides the aircraft with the capacity to make very slow approaches, the C-17 touched down and roared to a halt in what looked to be about five or six hundred metres. Pretty damn impressive for such an enormous beast!
The Globemaster, a potent symbol of strategic air transport.
Strategic Transports
For me, one of the most interesting planes at the show was the DeHavilland designed and built short take-off and landing tactical transport, the DHC-4 Caribou. First off, it presented a great opportunity for grabbing some shade in the heat of the day. But it is also one of the most distinctive aircraft I know of, sporting high wings with a unique inflection at the engine and a high tail-plane. It still remains as one of the best short haul transport aircraft in the world. Supplemented by the RAAF’s new Lockheed C130J-30 strategic and tactical air transport, the Caribou provides the Australian Defence Force with the capacity for local, regional and international operations.
Odd shape, plenty of shade. Notice the F-15 in the background.
All in all, these ‘big’ planes and Army aviation aircraft were as interesting as the Air Force jets, if not quite so romantic. Either way, they are a fundamental part of any contemporary Defence Force, and as such deserve as much attention as their more dynamic brethren.
Reflections
And that just about ends my two part report on the Avalon Air Show. It was my first experience at such a spectacular event, but I daresay it won’t be my last. It was an exciting peek into the world of modern and vintage aviation, and one that opened my eyes to the technology development that has occurred in aviation over the past hundred years. Who would have considered the possibilities when the Wright brothers first lifted from the ground at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina? Not me. But I’m glad Wilbur and Orville came along.
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