Avalon - who's going and when?

[DesTROYer]

I had a great day Saturday. We arrived at seven and were early enough that though there were volunteers there showing you where to park, there was no one out to collect parking money. Win! Got in and checked out all the ground displays, at 12:30 lined up for lunch, only stood in line for no more than 10 mins and got a delicious chicken schnitzel roll and a ice cold Pepsi, before making our way down to the southern viewing area at the end of the gold class seating. Fence line seats to watch the remainder of the show. F-16, F-35 and defence displays were great. The Roulette's whilst I acknowledge the skill involved was still a yawn (give them Hawks already). Hung around for another half an hour after the final hornet display was over then walked back to the car and got there by 6:00 then back home by 8:00. We knew it would be chaos on the way out, but we're in no rush and enjoyed talking about the day. Great work by the organisers for another awesome event.

I didn't take many photos. In the afternoon I took none, I just sat back and took it all in. The photos I did take are down below. I haven't had a play in photoshop with them yet, just converted them from RAW to JPEG.

https://flickr.com/photos/12758669@N07/sets/72157680955199316

[tor lives]

Great photos Troy!!!
I love the oddities like the Canberra and Harrier, they really are unexpected gems.
Thanks for sharing.
TOR

[BradG]

I was there from before 7am and until around 6:30pm on the Sunday. I have to say, having absolutely no crowd around was worth getting up at 5am, so I got a good look at everything. I spent most of the day manning the museum stand and we were facing the runway, so all I had to do was pull up a chair and watch the show in the shade. In fact, I spent so little time outside the tent, I didn't get sun burnt at all and was wearing no sun screen. I did get a seat in the MRH 90 which was just behind the tent, so that was ok.

The show was ok, museum did really well, but I wouldn't have gone if I was not a part of the museums team.

[Adam the Akrodude]

I had a great two days at Avalon - Friday by myself primarily to watch the F-35s arrive which I did - BRILLIANT! Sunday I took my middle girl and a mate. Monday I could barely walk! I'll post some pic's as soon as I can "process" the raw images and make them passable for you guys.

Well, it's less than two years until the next Avalon! It was brilliant seeing the huge step change the RAAF is going through with acquisition of the P-8, Growler, PC-21 (how gorgeous are they!) and of course the jewel in the crown - the F-35!

[BradG]

Ah, look at that, now this is how I like air shows; no a single person within sight.

[Adam the Akrodude]

Agreed Brad- Avalon is so nice to walk around during the trade days - not too much happening though in the air. Clever this time - brought a backpack with snacks and water - so no wasted time queuing for food. Still, not insane queues this year for food, drinks or toilets. It's been far worse getting out of the car park on the w/e as well - painful, but bearable. Not many civvies flew into Avalon East either - hugely reduced number there.

I'll post some of my shots when I get a chance to edit them.