Nowra Skies Set To Buzz

Illawarra Mercury

Friday October 24, 2008

THE skies above Nowra will be alive with hornets, hawks and squirrels on Sunday, but not of the animal variety.

HMAS Albatross' annual Air Spectacular will take place this weekend.

Aircraft, including a fleet of navy helicopters, an F/A-18 Hornet, Hawk fighter trainer jets and the Royal Australia Air Force Roulettes, will take to the skies as the base celebrates 60 years.

The vintage Sea Fury, which was the last propeller-driven fighter to serve the Royal Australian Navy, will be on display as will the mammoth C-17 Globemaster, which has the capacity to hold more than a hundred paratroopers.

The Globemaster can carry 70 tonnes of cargo - four times the capacity of the RAAF's veteran C-130 Hercules.

Albatross Commanding Officer Captain Mark Sackley said the base had put together a "top line-up of attractions designed to appeal to everyone".

"It's an important opportunity to recognise the great support we have and continue to receive from the local community. It also showcases the Navy's aviation capabilities - past and present."

Other highlights include a mass fly over by Navy helicopters, including the Seahawks, Sea Kings, Squirrel helicopters and an Augusta A109E.

Organisers will also conduct a behind-the-scenes tour of the base, with demonstrations by RAAF military working dogs, the RAN Band and Australia's Federation Guard.

Spectators will be treated to an F-111 dump and burn, an aerobatic display by the Roulettes and the army's Red Berets Parachute Team, which will jump from an iconic Vietnam-era UH-1B Iroquois helicopter.

Airshow facts

- Sunday, October 26 from 9am to 4.30pm.

- Tickets $20 adults and $5 children.

- Visit www.airdayspectacular.com.au

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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