Tocumwal 2019, Inaugural NSW regional Airshow

The inaugural Tocumwal Airshow took to the skies for the first time on Saturday the 14th September, with a massive line-up of historical & performance aircraft taking  part in the event. With the event kicking off at 11am, the  four hours of aerial action included historic aircraft, warbirds, bi-planes, jets and aerobatics.  This coupled with various ground displays and great food made the event one to lock in for the next show slated for  2021. 

Held at the historic World War Two airfield, which was established in early 1942, Tocumwal was built for use by the United States Army Air Force. It was used mostly by the RAAF and from 1944, was home to the RAAF’s heavy bomber support, and operational conversion units including No. 7 Operational Training Unit.

Inaugural Opening 

Paul Bennett from Paul Bennet Airshows, Australia’s leading airshow display pilot kicked off the event with his trade mark style opening in the Wolf Pitts Pro. This was further enhanced with a skydiver who jumped out of the Cessna C-180 Skywagon, VH-OZA.  Once at altitude the skydiver leapt from the Skywagon deploying the Australian Flag. Paul following down in a 5G orbit.

A change of pace was next when the Jonker Sailpalne JS3 VH-NLP took to the air with the weather turning it on providing a perfect  blue sky. Powered by MDTJ-42 turbojet the sailplane Lumpy Paterson put on a fantastic display.  Pilots can choose between climbing at two metres per second at 135 km/h or fly at 200 km/h cruising speed. The jet engine doesn’t require aviation fuel and is able to run on regular diesel.

Aerial Agriculture Showcase

A highlight of the show was the Aerial Agriculture segment. Three aircraft participated in the showcase, that comprised the CAC CA-28 Ceres VH-SSY, HAZAIR’s Transavia Airtruck VH-TRT and finally FieldAir’s AirTractor AT-402B VH-FZD. The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation built the Ceres based on the wartime Wirraway trainer. Doug Hamilton owns the aircraft today and it is the only airworthy Ceres in Australia.  Steve Death flew his company’s Transavia Airtruck during the event showcasing another Australian built design that was sold across the world. Some 118 were to roll off the production line before, production ended. 

The third aircraft in the display was a Fieldair’s Airtractor AT-402B, VH-FZD. The aircraft put on a fantastic display showcasing the aircraft’s capabilities over the airfields canola crops. 

Paul Bennet and his team brought the Grumman Avenger to the show which never fails to impress with its size, sound and folding wings. 

A classic aerial pair was the next to showcase their displays. Built  by De Havilland Canada, the DHC-1 Chipmunk was sold and exported and assembled by the Canadian, British, and Portuguese, with some 1,284 examples built. Flying at the airshow were two of the companies finest, VH-DGZ, formally WB683 of the Royal Air Force, and VH-APL formally WP919, also from the RAF. 

Another highlight of the airshow was the RAAF Heritage Formation team. Consisting of former RAAF trainer aircraft including the CAC Winjeel, NZAI Airtourer, and North American Harvard. The aircraft are a mixture of civilian and RAAF owned aircraft. For this event three CT-4s, three Winjeels and a single Harvard preformed military like precision flights and formations. The aircraft were, NZAI CT-4s, VH-ZNP (A19-077) owned and operated by the RAAF Museum Point Cook, VH-CTV (A19-068) owned by Garry Herne also from Point Cook, and finally, VH-DGY (A19-030) owned by Benjamin Thompson from Gisborne.

Along side were three CAC CA-25 Winjeels which were, VH-FTS (A85-439) owned and operated by the RAAF Museum Point Cook, VH-HOY (A85-450) owned by Matt Grigg, and VH-WJE (A85-427) owned and flown by event organiser Matt Henderson. 

The final aircraft in the formation isn’t an RAAF aircraft. It is an ex Royal New Zealand Air Force T-6 Harvard, VH-HVD. It was flown by the RNZAF as NZ1075. Now if flies as part of the RAAF Heritage fleet.  

Together the aircraft were a sight to behold. With the CT-4, Winjeel and Harvard all doing solo performances after the formation flying. 

After this great display, it was time for some jet noise, courtesy of the Aero Verdochedy L-39. Jetride Australia and Mark Pracy brought the ex Ukrainian Air Force L-39 VH-IOT. Jetride Australia offer jet flight experiences from their base at Cessnock in NSW. You can get your jet experience by reaching the company at: https://www.jetflight.com.au 

Next up it was some jet turbine power from another member of the Airtractor family. This time it was the larger AT-802 again provided by Fieldair from Ballarat. VH-FFM is configured for the upcoming fire season and put on a demonstration of its capabilities to drop its 3200 litres of fire retardant of water on a fire. 

A two ship pairing of Cessna O-1 Birddogs showed of their roles as Forward Air Control (FAC) aircraft. The olive drab machine which is registered as VH-EAZ and is owned by Mark Binskin. It flew alongside  VH-FAC,  again, owned by Matt Henderson. 

The next pairing were an earlier form of forward air control aircraft. The British Taylorcraft Auster Air Observation Post (AOP) or Auster III as it became known. Eventually fifty five examples were  to eventually serve with the RAAF. Flying at the event were VH-MHT (ex RAAF A11-49) and VH-BDM (ex RAAF A11-33). 

Another classic British pairing that partnered together for the airshow were another two De Havilland types. The classic Dh.82A Tigermoth flew a routine alongside the DH.94 Moth Minor. Both of these aircraft served with the  Royal Australian Air Force, showing the earlier designs for basic trainers used during the start of World War Two. Of both types 861 Tiger Moths, and 42 Moth Minors were to eventually serve in RAAF markings. During the airshow, VH-BEN which served as A17-736 and VH-CZB served as A21-42, flew a nice routine showcasing the two classic De Havilland designs.

The next pair to display were two North American designs. Both trainers are based at Albury NSW and flown by their respective owners. John Kempton’s Vultee BT-13A Valiant (VH-JKV) paired up with Stephen Death in his North American T-6 Texan VH-YVI which was ex USAF 51-15202, after service with the USAF it moved onto serving with the Italian Air Force as MM53652.

 

As the afternoon sun kept its fantastic light going, it was time for the warbirds segment. With the the former RAAF base as a backdrop, it was a trip down memory lane. Launched first were the Temora based Lockheed Hudson and CAC Boomerang, along with Paul Bennet’s CAC Wirraway. Behind them was Ross Pay’s CAC built Mustang, which was joined by Alan Arthurs P-40N and Doug Hamilton’s P-40N. 

The final launch saw the World War Two fighters take to the skies. Curtiss P-40N Kittyhawks VH-PFO and VH-ZOC. Owned by Doug Hamilton and Allan Arthur respectively. Also taking to the skies was Ross Pay’s CAC built Mustang, VH-AUB that was flown by Paul Bennet. All three looked and sounded great in their formation flypasts and solo performances. 

The Tocumwal Airshow committee are to be commended for a fantastic event. It’s sure to grow in the coming  years as the event continues to mature and gain momentum.

Roll on the 2021 event! 

Dave