On Wednesday morning, crowds converged early on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and surrounds. Over 60 aircraft marked 100 years of RAAF service with sweeping passes over the lake and closing aerobatics by the Roulettes.
Three F-35 Lightning II aircraft, part of the openers for the day.
The Caribou, a Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) tactical transport aircraft was operated by the RAAF from 1964 to 2009. Designed for landings on rough terrain, the Caribou is able to take-off and land on 220 meters of runway.
A C-17A Globemaster III making a slow pass. Entering service in 2006, the C-17 can carry up to 74 tonnes of cargo. It performs tactical and strategic airlift missions, delivering cargo and personnel across the globe.
The Boomerang, Wirraway, Harvard and the only Lockheed Hudson Bomber in flying condition today.
Three B300 King Air 350's, used extensively for mission aircrew training and utility roles. Entering service in 2003, the current fleet consists of 12 aircraft based in East Sale.
The Catalina flying boat, a versatile anti-submarine, reconnaissance, mine laying and support aircraft, proved vital in WWII. This restored Catalina was originally delivered to the United States Navy Air Arm in 1945. Later transferred to Chile, it was placed in storage from 1960 for about twenty years. When it was recovered, the aircraft served as a water bomber. In 1986 the aircraft crashed and sank in Argentina, but it was salvaged and rebuilt for service by 1988. Eventually, the aircraft was sold to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society. It was ferried from France to Australia in 2003 where it was overhauled and restored to WWII military configuration.
A KC-30A MRTT tanker-transport aircraft and two F/A-18F Super Hornets.
Gleaming in the morning sun, an E-7A Wedgetail heads east.
The Roulettes in a wedge formation.
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