Tags: Airshow. Aeroplanes. Warplanes. History. Caboolture. Queensland. Brisbane. The
Australian Vintage Aviation Society
CREDIT MUST BE GIVEN
On the weekend of April 21 st and 22 nd, the TAVAS Great War Flying Display at the Caboolture Airfield not only recreated events from World War 1, it provided those who attended with the opportunity to see replicas of the aircraft from that era up close and to learn so much about the involvement of Australian airmen in early wartime aviation.
The result of many hours of planning and work by TAVAS founder Andrew Carter and his dedicated team of volunteers, the Great War Flying Display has now entertained crowds for three years running but this year, the event held a special significance, marking one hundred years since the Red Baron was shot down by an Australian machine gunner and also the end of the Great War.
Featured Image(above): The Bristol F2b which was flown in the display by 88 year old Jack MacDonald who flew combat in the Korean War
As well as simulations of aerial combat between Allied and German aircraft, visitors to the show were able to see a variety of early aircraft including the Farman Bi-plane which was copied by Bristol and named the Bristol Box-Kite (used to train Australian airmen) along with a Fokker E.111 Eindecker and a Sopwith Tri-Plane.
There were more Fokker Tri-Planes than just the red one
There was a demonstration by an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the RAAF’s 1 Squadron and a low-level flypast by a C-17 Globemaster, the very large and very capable cargo aircraft which provides the RAAF with the ability to deliver troops, vehicles and equipment to any location throughout the world.
Also at the display were a variety of aviation-related organisations including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association which offered a range of simulators for people to fly and the Australian Air League as well as the Australian Women Pilots Association. The Air Combat Centre was on hand with their F/A-18 Flight Simulator and there were a number of aircraft available for joy flights. A number of other organisations including the Caboolture RSL and the Brisbane Vintage Automobile Club were also represented on the day.
Sadly, due to less than ideal weather conditions, attendance numbers were less than was expected but, although information regarding the final count was not yet available when I spoke to Andrew, quite a large number of people did take advantage of the opportunity to see this incredibly well-organised event and those who I have talked to have told me that they enjoyed every minute of the show.
Whilst the Great War Flying Display is well and truly over for 2018, the opportunity to see these beautiful examples of early aviation is certainly not due to the displays at the TAVAS Museum which is the only one of it’s kind in the country.
A Fokker D VIII. This was hailed as the best fighter of the era but only came into
combat at the very end of the war. (left) and The Farman Bi-Plane(right)
The museum features displays of not only the history of early aviation and Australian involvement in it, there are a number of aircraft on show that was built from as early as 1901. The Museum is at Hangar 106 McNaught Road, Caboolture Airfield.
For more information about The Australian Vintage Aviation Society, anyone interested should visit their website which is www.tavas.com.au or go to their Facebook page.
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