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Graham Hosking's magnificent F4U-5 Corsair put on a magnificent display at the 2020 Tyabb Airshow, perhaps the last air show to take place anywhere for some time to come. Here is Phil Buckley's report on this longstanding event. (photo by Phil Buckley)
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What a massive change a couple of weeks can bring. We would normally be getting into the full swing of the air show season right about now, but sadly the pandemic has postponed our usual experiences. Indeed, it will likely be some time before another air show takes place anywhere in the world. However, two weeks ago on March 8th, the performers at Tyabb Airport on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia were able to hold their event. Our regular Antipodean correspondent, Phil Buckley, was on hand to record the action, and we are happy to bring you his report below.
Tyabb Airshow 2020
by Phil Buckley
In what was a short notice air show lead in, that meant the aviation event was lucky to even go ahead, the 2020 Tyabb Airshow held at Tyabb Airfield in Victoria, Australia once again lived up to its drawcard appeal, attracting around 9,000 people to the exciting day. The 2020 show had been facing cancellation sadly, not due to any medical emergency, but due to last year’s efforts by the local council to shut it down – and the airport too. This fate may still await the airport sadly, if the council gets it way…..
The Penisula Aero Club (PAC) has overseen the show for many years, and worked hard to create a successful aviation event for enthusiasts of all ages. All funding raised flows back into assorted local community organsiations and operations. The event is supported by passionate pilots who provide their time for free, displaying their aircraft in the air and on the ground. With a single runway flanked by a lone taxiway just a few yards from the crowd line, the Tyabb Airshow allows the general public to see taxiing aircraft up very close. They can also view the static aircraft displays arrayed in front of behind the cordon as well.
A large crowd gathered to witness this popular air show in Tyabb. (photo by Phil Buckley)
The vintage jeep used to guide aircraft at Tyabb. The O-1E Bird Dog is under its charge in this image (photo by Phil Buckley)
The pilot inside his Cessna O-1E Bird Dog 51-12134 Forward Air Controller ship taxiing out for take off. Note the inert white phosphorus targeting rockets slung from their wing-mounted hard points. These would have been used to mark enemy positions in wartime for friendly ‘fast-movers’ to attack. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Cessna L-19/O-1E Bird Dog 51-12134 taxiing by after her flight. The aircraft belongs to Matthew Henderson, and is believed to have last served with the Royal Thai Air Force in the Forward Air Controller role. It came to Australia from Thailand in 1997. (photo by Phil Buckley)
The Temora Aviation Museum’s magnificent Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII A58-758. The aircraft originally rolled off Supermarine’s production line as MV239, but gained her RAAF serial after export to Australia in June, 1945. She is marked to represent A58-602 “Grey Nurse”. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Judy Pay’s CA-17 Mustang Mk.21 was built in 1950 on the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation’s production at Fisherman’s Bend in Australia. She is painted to represent an RAAF No.3 Squadron Mustang IV KH677 which served in Italy during 1945. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Doug Hamilton’s P-40N looks magnificent in the authentic 8thFS markings she war in combat during WWII. Note that the restoration modified this P-40 to have room for a second seat behind the pilot. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Judy Pay’s combat-veteran Curtiss P-40F Warhawk 41-14112 taxiing by the crowd line. Nicknamed Pee Wee by her WWII pilot, Sam Hancock, this aircraft is one of just two examples of the Merlin-powered P-40 variant currently flying. The aircraft was lost on December 20th, 1942, running out of fuel on a training sortie while based on Efaté Island, in what was then the New Hebrides island chain (now Vanuatu). Severe weather forced the flight of four 44th FS P-40s to belly land in a clearing atop Mount Santop on the island of Erromango. The canabalized wreck was recovered in 1989, along with another example from the flight, P-40F 41-14205, which the RNZAF Museum restored to represent a P-40E variant. (photo by Phil Buckley)
A nice closeup shot of the P-40F in the static area. (photo by Phil Buckley)
The Royal Australian Air Force Museum’s CAC-built Mustang Mk.23 A68-170 (marked as A68-750 which, oddly enough, survives as a project in the Australia). This example has only just returned to the air following a long hiatus of the RAAF Museum operating their aircraft. She made her first post-refurbishment flight . (photo by Phil Buckley)
The Temora Aviation Museum’s beautiful CAC Boomerang in the static area. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Judy Pay’s CAC-built CA-17 Mustang Mk.21 A68-105. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Another nice image of the RAAF Museum’s CA-18 Mustang Mk.23 A68-170. (photo by Phil Buckley)
A nice 3/4 profile of CA-17 Mustang A68-105. (photo by Phil Buckley)
A closeup showing the ferocious sharks teeth nose art of the Temora Aviation Museum’s rare Spitfire Mk.VIII. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Another view of the Temora Aviation Musuem’s Spitfire Mk.VIII. (photo by Phil Buckley)
The two T-28 Trojans which performed in the show included former U.S. Navy T-28B Bu.138278 and former Royal Laotian Air Force T-28A 49-1584 (right). The T-28B once served with VT-27 at NAS Corpus Christi, and later became the first civilian operated T-28 in Australia when Judy Pay imported her during 1988. The T-28A was actually modified into a T-28D Nomad for her service as a COIN platform with the RLAF. Col Pay imported her to Australia from Thaliand with several other examples in 1988. (photo by Phil Buckley)
A closeup of the extraordinary nose art on the locally-based Yak-52TW “Yak on the Prowl”. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Michael Murphy’s N2S-3 Kaydet Bu.07858. (photo by Phil Buckley)
James Courtenay’s N2S-5 Kaydet Bu.61671. This aircraft was originally built to a U.S. Army Air Forces’ contract as PT-13D 42-17630, but later transferred to the U.S. Navy. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Over the years, the Tyabb Airshow has attracted a range of warbirds, military participants and general aviation aircraft. Indeed, Tyabb is currently home to several famous warbirds including Judy Pay’s Old Aeroplane Company collection (CAC Mustang, P-40F Kittyhawk, T-28 Trojan, T-6 Harvard and more) as well as the only Vought Corsair currently flying in Australia (Graham Hoskings F4U-5 Bu.124493). Across the day, a mix of displays took place. They ranged from a single ship, right up to large formation flights. Mixed in the planned program were several deHavilland Tiger Moths which, unfortunately, could not fly due to strong winds. Legacy warbird trainers varying from former RAAF CT-4s, Winjeels and a Harvard, took to the sky and were welcomed warmly. The event also had a few T-28 Trojans in Vietnam War-era colors flying. The popular Southern Knights aerobatic display team with their North American Harvards always gets people’s attention with their elegant displays, vibrant colors and smoke systems… not to mention the throbbing roar of their engines.
The massed formation of CT-4 and Winjeel trainers. (photo by Phil Buckley)
“Yak on the Prowl”, a Yak-52TW with a remarkably flamboyant paint scheme never fails to engage the audience. (photo by Phil Buckley)
A formation of four Russian-designed trainers, a mixture of Yaks and a Chinese-built derivative. (photo by Phil Buckley)
A nice shot of the extraordinary nose art on the locally-based Yak-52TW “Yak on the Prowl”. (photo by Phil Buckley)
The Tyabb event was largely a fighter affair, with various WWII-era pursuit types zooming through the skies, either singly or in formations throughout the day. The Temora Aviation Museum brought their CAC Boomerang and Spitfire, the RAAF Museum flew their newly airworthy CAC Mustang, a P-40N made the trip down from Wangaratta. The locally-based P-40F and Corsair joined the previously mentioned fighters and others types for the final and truly spectacular, massed formation flyby.
Graham Hosking’s magnificent Vought F4U-5 Corsair Bu.124493. This aircraft has only recently started flying again following a prolonged rebuild after a gear-collapse incident in January, 2017. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Another view of the Mighty F4U. (photo by Phil Buckley)
The F4U-5, resplendant in its original Honduran Air Force markings, roars near the crowd. (photo by Phil Buckley)
A closeup of the pilot for the Temora Aviation Museum’s Commonwealth CA-13 Boomerang A46-122 which participated in the Tyabb Airshow. (photo by Phil Buckley)
A nice shot of the P-40N displaying her wartime 8thFS markings. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Locally-based T-28B Trojan Bu.138278 taxiing out for takeoff. (photo by Phil Buckley)
The Temora Aviation Museum’s rare former RAAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII A58-758. (photo by Phil Buckley)
A nice formation featuring an eclectic mix of WWII fighters, a TBM torpedo bomber, and a T-28 trainer. (photo by Phil Buckley)
A formation of the single-engined heavies which attended the Tyabb Airshow. (photo by Phil Buckley)
The F4U coming in to land. (photo by Phil Buckley)
The T-28B coming in to land amid the darkening skies. (photo by Phil Buckley)
Giving the event a little generational diversity, the Royal Australian Air Force brought a few of their currently active types, including a No.35 Squadron C-27 Spartan from RAAF Base Amberley, the RAAF Roulettes display team from RAAF Base East Sale. The Roulettes used their spanking-new Pilatus PC-21s, which replaced the earlier PC-9/As just last year. The former PC-9/As are now being sold off in Australia, with a few heading to the USA for future training work. Another RAAF participant included a massive No.36 Squadron C-17 Globemaster, which flew in from Queensland. This behemoth participated in the final displays of the day.
Overall it was a marvelous event, and we do hope that the Tyabb Airshow will still be able to take place next year with the same thrilling displays and radial engine music. More importantly, we also hope that the airfield’s long term future as a going concern can be secured by then too!
Many thanks indeed to Phil Buckley for his report and images. We hope you all stay safe out there, and stay home. Be well everyone!
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.
After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.
Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.