MERGED: Thunderbirds for Townsville?
I guess they felt that they had to pull something out of the hat, given that I was not available to do a display in the V-tail ! 
Dr
Dr
Last edited by ForkTailedDrKiller; 17th Mar 2009 at 04:05.
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I just watched them yesterday. Winds pushing 40 knots and visibility under five miles in sand, and they still flew...and did their usual excellent job. Too bad it was hard to see them through the sand.
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Slotted in for the 26th - 27th September on the Strand. Unconfirmed. The Tbird scouts were at Townsville not long age for a look at the display line ect. They should be also coming down the East Coast.
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Are we all talking about the same Thunderbirds here, i.e the USAF F16s?
If so, how can anyone even comprehend using awesome and Thunderbirds in the same sentence? They are the most boring bunch of prima donas to walk the Earth and their show lacks originality, choreography and 'punch'. What you get to see is a bunch of guys taking half an hour to get to their aircraft (wow, all arriving at the steps at the same time), taking an absolute age to get in the air (but showing us how they can all lower their canopies at the same time and how smartly they can salute) and then, despite flying an aircraft that could really 'wow' the crowds, given it's manoeuvering capabilities, they bore everyone fartless with flypasts that could be flown by anyone in military flight school.
A formation of four is not impressive and neither is their show. If you're a gullible septic then you'll go all gooey and clutch your heart because, amazingly, the aircraft produce smoke in red, white and blue. God bless America and all that patriotic nonsense.
You want CLOSE formation, watch the Blue Angels. You want to see an impressive display of a decent sized formation, watch the Red Arrows. You want to see punch, flare and some very skillful flying, watch the Patrouille De France (you wouldn't believe how much that hurts to say that
) but, as my daughter would say, perleeze, the Thunderbirds. Save my money and buy some paint to watch drying; it's a damned sight more interesting.
Ahh, that's better
PS: Ex-military fast jet and ex-display pilot, whose had to endure airshows with the Thunderbirds in both the UK and in the USA. I say that only to stop the 'well how would you know brigade'.
Now back to cattle mustering and floatplanes; that's much more interesting.......
If so, how can anyone even comprehend using awesome and Thunderbirds in the same sentence? They are the most boring bunch of prima donas to walk the Earth and their show lacks originality, choreography and 'punch'. What you get to see is a bunch of guys taking half an hour to get to their aircraft (wow, all arriving at the steps at the same time), taking an absolute age to get in the air (but showing us how they can all lower their canopies at the same time and how smartly they can salute) and then, despite flying an aircraft that could really 'wow' the crowds, given it's manoeuvering capabilities, they bore everyone fartless with flypasts that could be flown by anyone in military flight school.
A formation of four is not impressive and neither is their show. If you're a gullible septic then you'll go all gooey and clutch your heart because, amazingly, the aircraft produce smoke in red, white and blue. God bless America and all that patriotic nonsense.
You want CLOSE formation, watch the Blue Angels. You want to see an impressive display of a decent sized formation, watch the Red Arrows. You want to see punch, flare and some very skillful flying, watch the Patrouille De France (you wouldn't believe how much that hurts to say that
) but, as my daughter would say, perleeze, the Thunderbirds. Save my money and buy some paint to watch drying; it's a damned sight more interesting.Ahh, that's better
PS: Ex-military fast jet and ex-display pilot, whose had to endure airshows with the Thunderbirds in both the UK and in the USA. I say that only to stop the 'well how would you know brigade'.
Now back to cattle mustering and floatplanes; that's much more interesting.......
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Yeah OK, Guess I'd expect that kind of assessment from - and let me quote - Ex Fast jet jock, Display pilot etc. Primadonnas huh? Guess that's just a bit of pot calling kettle really........ You can call the Thunderbirds boring or whatever you like, the thing is they will be here, not the Blue Angels, or the Red Arrows or even the froggies. So as good as those three might be, until they decide to come to OZ, at least we'll see SOMETHING!
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Thunderbirds are go for Townsville
JESSICA JOHNSTON
May 7th, 2009
THE largest air show in Australia will be held in Towns ville this year after the promised spectacular event was given final approval.
An array of of military aircraft will perform along the full length of The Strand during the extravaganza on September 26.
The program was yesterday given the green-light after Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon threw his support behind the show.
Townsville City Council events and protocol manager Tom Aubrey predicted huge crowds would flock to the Strand for the show.
"We are expecting to see the biggest air show in Australia this year,'' he said.
"It should be a fantastic day, the last time we did something similar was the Centenary of Federation in 2001, and we had 60,000-70,000 people on the Strand for that.
"They are usually held at Amberley, now Northern Australian will host the only one this year."
It is understood that the world's leading formation flying team, the USAF Thunderbirds, will headline the festival. F-111s are expected to perform a `dump and burn' in their last air show ever, while Caribous will also take to the sky for their last public performance.
A static aircraft display will be held at RAAF Base Townsville the following day, giving fans a chance to inspect the aircraft close up.
Townsville Mayor Les Tyrell said the city was cementing a reputation for attracting world-class events.
The Troy Dunn International bull-riding competition will be held this month, before the city gears up for a jam-packed July, with the National Superboat Series, inaugural V8 Supercars race and Festival of Chamber Music all scheduled.
International cricket and NQ Fury home games will add to the excitement, before the sky lights up during the September air show.
Mr Fitzgibbon said he had approved the Townsville event despite slashing the use of military aircraft for entertainment.
"I want to always be sure that when we are spending big money sending expensive capability into all sorts of community events, including football games for example, that tax-payers are getting value for money."
Mr Fitzgibbon said the valuable exposure during the Townsville air show would provide a recruitment opportunity for the Defence Force.
JESSICA JOHNSTON
May 7th, 2009
THE largest air show in Australia will be held in Towns ville this year after the promised spectacular event was given final approval.
An array of of military aircraft will perform along the full length of The Strand during the extravaganza on September 26.
The program was yesterday given the green-light after Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon threw his support behind the show.
Townsville City Council events and protocol manager Tom Aubrey predicted huge crowds would flock to the Strand for the show.
"We are expecting to see the biggest air show in Australia this year,'' he said.
"It should be a fantastic day, the last time we did something similar was the Centenary of Federation in 2001, and we had 60,000-70,000 people on the Strand for that.
"They are usually held at Amberley, now Northern Australian will host the only one this year."
It is understood that the world's leading formation flying team, the USAF Thunderbirds, will headline the festival. F-111s are expected to perform a `dump and burn' in their last air show ever, while Caribous will also take to the sky for their last public performance.
- SPECTACULAR AIR SHOW TIPPED FOR TOWNSVILLE
- WATCH THE THUNDERBIRDS GO
- WILL YOU SEE THE AIR SHOW? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW
A static aircraft display will be held at RAAF Base Townsville the following day, giving fans a chance to inspect the aircraft close up.
Townsville Mayor Les Tyrell said the city was cementing a reputation for attracting world-class events.
The Troy Dunn International bull-riding competition will be held this month, before the city gears up for a jam-packed July, with the National Superboat Series, inaugural V8 Supercars race and Festival of Chamber Music all scheduled.
International cricket and NQ Fury home games will add to the excitement, before the sky lights up during the September air show.
Mr Fitzgibbon said he had approved the Townsville event despite slashing the use of military aircraft for entertainment.
"I want to always be sure that when we are spending big money sending expensive capability into all sorts of community events, including football games for example, that tax-payers are getting value for money."
Mr Fitzgibbon said the valuable exposure during the Townsville air show would provide a recruitment opportunity for the Defence Force.
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I have to agree with the general thrust of Fratemate's observations of the T-birds.
Having seen them 'perform' a number of times it stuck out like the proverbial "dogs b.lls" that whilst the formation looked tight in plan form, it was infact double or even triple the normal vertical separation when seen in end or side elevation.
It was infact an illusion.
Mind you to the unitiated (ie most of the impressionable populace) it probably looked all oooh aaaaah exciting.
Porchy, there was enough vertical separation for you to stick your 73 in there quite comfortably.
tipsy
furball
Having seen them 'perform' a number of times it stuck out like the proverbial "dogs b.lls" that whilst the formation looked tight in plan form, it was infact double or even triple the normal vertical separation when seen in end or side elevation.
It was infact an illusion.
Mind you to the unitiated (ie most of the impressionable populace) it probably looked all oooh aaaaah exciting.
Porchy, there was enough vertical separation for you to stick your 73 in there quite comfortably.
tipsy
furball
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Maybe so, Tipsy, but until they let me try that, then from the ground all I can say it looks pretty good to me..... Like I said, at least they are coming here.
O.K. so... does anyone have a confirmed date so i book the cheapest airfare (we are in a recession remember?) because Avalon put me right off airshows. However you banana benders promise to put on the show of all shows i have decided to waste more money and my time to attend another airshow downunder for probably get totally disgusted and pissed off so next year i can go to Oshkosh.
So.... how about it big mouths, see if you can put your money where your mouth is!
So.... how about it big mouths, see if you can put your money where your mouth is!