617Dambusters

If you haven't heard of the Redbull Air Race, check this link out:

http://redbullairrace.westernaustralia.com/?gclid=CNONodCKyIgCFR4dGAodRzUBCw

They are running it this weekend in my home town.
It's been busy as hell at the airport where I work (Jandakot), it sounds like the bloody Battle of Britain out there at the moment, with highly tuned aircraft zipping around all over the place doing aerobatics.

The Race is a pylon race like nothing that's been around before (makes the Reno pylon races look lame in comparison). They fly ultra low level between inflatable pylons on the river, and it's a TIGHT course. Awesome flying by some brilliant aerobatic pilots. There's even a bit of Dambuster style bridge flying as part of the race (dunno if that will be part of the Perth course, but I'd guess it will be).

Last night they had a private session here at the airport. I got a bunch of photos of an aerobatic display by one of the pilots, with a Tigermoth display, as well as one of the RAAF Caribou doing a few low passes and STOL routines. I'll try and post them tonight. There was some pretty decent freestyle aerobatics going on, took my breath away.

I've saw a lot of the footage from other races an these lads are crazy some of the shit they pull.

Yeah they have it on the TV over here...the last big race in Germany was also a great success. They where saying that these guys pull as many Gs as a jet fighter pilot.

Nice pic Simon

Stuffed if I can find the USB cable for my camera. The photos may have to wait a while...

Yeah, they pull a few Gs. There are some very tight turns, at high speed. One of the aircraft I saw the other day (similar to the Redbull planes, but not in the race) had a 360 cubic inch engine. With very light carbon composite construction it would have a huge power/weight ratio. The way they are able to take off in only a very short space, and then go vertical, is pretty wild.

Hang On:


Rotterdamm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf442mg3 ... ed&search=

Budapest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf442mg3 ... ed&search=

Red Bull 2006: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdGtIO71yVA

Eddy Dussau: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf442mg3 ... ed&search=

Wow! That's some pretty cool footage Mevan. Some of it repeats though.
They're running the qualifyers today, and I'll be at the big race tomorrow.

In the meantime, here are some of the photos I took the other day (it was about 6pm, so a little dark):

One of the DeHavilland Caribous in front of two of our aircraft


Some of the Flying Doctor aircraft


Rescue chopper


A Chipmunk


Our front line RAAF fighter aircraft (just kidding)


This thing has a 360 cubic inch donk under the hood


A Tigermoth starting up


Tigermoth coming back, this other bloke is about to start an awesome aerobatic routine


Hey good looking!


We're all going to die!!!!!!


Back on the ground again


A Stearman

nice pics!

Yeah Guys, nice Pictures. Love to watch,it's just the Stalls that get me.