It's difficult to elicit much sympathy for the residents of Potts Point who yesterday complained of being woken early in the morning by the deafening sound of planes buzzing about the harbourside suburb - especially when the action was taking place at the very civilised time of 8.25. But complain they did.
Two strange-looking jet aircraft zoomed overhead at low altitude, and while some feared invasion, others thought it might be part of an advertising campaign. The mystery was solved by the Department of Defence, which had sent a Boeing Wedgetail 737-700 and a smaller Hawk fighter trainer on a photo opportunity flight over the harbour.
"It was a chance for the public to see a new bit of kit," a Defence spokesman said. "From all reports it was a success. Everyone seems to be happy with the photos."
The Wedgetail has a large, raised radar, looking a bit like a surfboard, along its back. (Article here...)
There should be more of it. Faster, louder, lower...
And now to see if the unproven technology works. Could be worse, the RAAF could be trundling around in
one of these having their ball-sacks fried.