Aircraft

In pictures: The Australian International Airshow 2015

In pictures: The Australian International Airshow 2015
Aerobatic fireworks – the Oris Immortals strut their stuff at the Australian International Airshow (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Aerobatic fireworks – the Oris Immortals strut their stuff at the Australian International Airshow (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F-16C Fighting Falcon from the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F-16C Fighting Falcon from the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The world's longest range business jet, the Gulfstream G650ER (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The world's longest range business jet, the Gulfstream G650ER (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Australian aerobatic ace Paul Bennet in action at Avalon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Australian aerobatic ace Paul Bennet in action at Avalon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Avalon 2015 offers a air-going mix of the old and new (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Avalon 2015 offers a air-going mix of the old and new (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
An RAAF Hawk 127 lands at Avalon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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An RAAF Hawk 127 lands at Avalon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
RAAF Hawk 127 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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RAAF Hawk 127 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
RAAF Hawk 127 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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RAAF Hawk 127 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
RAAF Hawk 127 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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RAAF Hawk 127 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F-16C Fighting Falcon from the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F-16C Fighting Falcon from the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
F-16C Fighting Falcon from the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F-16C Fighting Falcon from the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Two F-16C Fighting Falcons decked out in Singapore's national colors make up the RSAF Black Knights (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Two F-16C Fighting Falcons decked out in Singapore's national colors make up the RSAF Black Knights (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
F-16C Fighting Falcon from the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F-16C Fighting Falcon from the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The USAF F-22 Raptor (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The USAF F-22 Raptor (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The USAF F-22 Raptor (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The USAF F-22 Raptor (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
F-16C Fighting Falcon from the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F-16C Fighting Falcon from the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The RSAF Black Knights piloted by Major Eugene Lim Sany Wang and Captain Chang Haw Ning (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The RSAF Black Knights piloted by Major Eugene Lim Sany Wang and Captain Chang Haw Ning (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The RSAF Black Knights team in what looks like an aerial mating display (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The RSAF Black Knights team in what looks like an aerial mating display (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Rosenbauer air field fire truck (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Rosenbauer air field fire truck (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
F-35 Lightning II on static display (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F-35 Lightning II on static display (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The Pratt & Whitney CTOL engine powers the F-35 Lightning II (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Pratt & Whitney CTOL engine powers the F-35 Lightning II (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
This Abrams M1 tank wasn't part of the aerial display (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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This Abrams M1 tank wasn't part of the aerial display (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
8KCAB Super Decathlon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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8KCAB Super Decathlon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Aeroprakt A22LS Foxbat (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Aeroprakt A22LS Foxbat (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Northrop Grumman Global Hawk UAV (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Northrop Grumman Global Hawk UAV (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Cirrus Generation 5 light aircraft (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Cirrus Generation 5 light aircraft (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
AW109S Grand VIP Helicopter – "Price on Application" (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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AW109S Grand VIP Helicopter – "Price on Application" (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Bell 212 Twin Huey equipped with a Helitak FT1600 Fire-bombing tank (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Bell 212 Twin Huey equipped with a Helitak FT1600 Fire-bombing tank (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
This odd-looking creature is a COA Coaxial helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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This odd-looking creature is a COA Coaxial helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The F/A-18 Super Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The F/A-18 Super Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The F/A-18 Super Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The F/A-18 Super Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The F/A-18 Super Hornet in indigenous Australian livery (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The F/A-18 Super Hornet in indigenous Australian livery (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The Sopwith Pup WWI fighter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Sopwith Pup WWI fighter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a is seen as the best British fighter aircraft of WWI (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a is seen as the best British fighter aircraft of WWI (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The Stemme S10 powered glider (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Stemme S10 powered glider (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
A lumbering C-17 Globemaster lifts-off at Avalon airport (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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A lumbering C-17 Globemaster lifts-off at Avalon airport (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Three Hercules C-130 fly over the airfield (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Three Hercules C-130 fly over the airfield (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The Pilatus PC-9 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Pilatus PC-9 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Hercules C-130 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Hercules C-130 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The F/A-18 Super Hornet in action (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The F/A-18 Super Hornet in action (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
F/A-18 Super Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F/A-18 Super Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
F/A-18 Super Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F/A-18 Super Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Australian Army ARH Tiger Helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Australian Army ARH Tiger Helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The F/A-18A Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The F/A-18A Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The F/A-18 Super Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The F/A-18 Super Hornet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
F/A-18A Super Hornets (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F/A-18A Super Hornets (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
F/A-18 Super Hornets from the RAAF swoop down on Avalon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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F/A-18 Super Hornets from the RAAF swoop down on Avalon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The Oris Immortals aerobatic team – Jurgis Kaiys, Skip Stewart and Melissa Pemberton (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Oris Immortals aerobatic team – Jurgis Kaiys, Skip Stewart and Melissa Pemberton (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
(Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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(Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
(Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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(Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Jurgis Kairys in his custom-built Juka (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Jurgis Kairys in his custom-built Juka (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Awesome Aviation Extra 330's (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Awesome Aviation Extra 330's (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Replica World Word I planes performing mock "dogfights" (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Replica World Word I planes performing mock "dogfights" (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Replica World Word I planes performing mock "dogfights" (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Replica World Word I planes performing mock "dogfights" (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The world's first 3D-printed jet engine makes its debut (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The world's first 3D-printed jet engine makes its debut (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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A pair of AS350 Squirrel helicopters put on a show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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A pair of AS350 Squirrel helicopters put on a show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
A pair of AS350 Squirrel helicopters put on a show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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A pair of AS350 Squirrel helicopters put on a show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
A pair of AS350 Squirrel helicopters put on a show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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A pair of AS350 Squirrel helicopters put on a show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Australian Army ARH Tiger Helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Australian Army ARH Tiger Helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
MRH-90 Multi Role helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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MRH-90 Multi Role helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Australian Army Multi-role Helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Australian Army Multi-role Helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Aerobatic ace Skip Stewart (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Aerobatic ace Skip Stewart (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Skip Stewart wows the crowd in his Pitts S2S bi-plane
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Skip Stewart wows the crowd in his Pitts S2S bi-plane
Jurgis Kairys in action (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Jurgis Kairys in action (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Jurgis Kairys swings low over the runway (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Jurgis Kairys swings low over the runway (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Paul Bennet during his breathtaking aerobatics show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Paul Bennet during his breathtaking aerobatics show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Paul Bennet during his breathtaking aerobatics show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Paul Bennet during his breathtaking aerobatics show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Paul Bennet waves to the crowd at Avalon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Paul Bennet waves to the crowd at Avalon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The Extra 330s fly formation at Avalon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Extra 330s fly formation at Avalon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Awesome Aviation Extra 330 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Awesome Aviation Extra 330 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The famous Catalina PBY flying boat, which flew during WWII, is among the many historic aircraft in action (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The famous Catalina PBY flying boat, which flew during WWII, is among the many historic aircraft in action (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The Oris Immortals aerobatic team put on a spectacular aerobatic display (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Oris Immortals aerobatic team put on a spectacular aerobatic display (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Aerobatic fireworks – the Oris Immortals strut their stuff at the Australian International Airshow (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Aerobatic fireworks – the Oris Immortals strut their stuff at the Australian International Airshow (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The Oris Immortals aerobatic team – Jurgis Kairys, Skip Stewart and Melissa Pemberton (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Oris Immortals aerobatic team – Jurgis Kairys, Skip Stewart and Melissa Pemberton (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
An impressive pyrotechnics display accompanied the Oris Immortals aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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An impressive pyrotechnics display accompanied the Oris Immortals aerobatic team (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
This Talon robot is used primarily for IED reconnaissance and disposal (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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This Talon robot is used primarily for IED reconnaissance and disposal (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Control box for the Talon ground robot – after a quick lesson we found it quite simple to operate (though we weren't dealing with explosive devices!) (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Control box for the Talon ground robot – after a quick lesson we found it quite simple to operate (though we weren't dealing with explosive devices!) (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Australian Army Multi-role Helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Australian Army Multi-role Helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Australian Army ARH Tiger Helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Australian Army ARH Tiger Helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
A strong contingent of historic aircraft are on display at the 2015 Avalon Air Show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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A strong contingent of historic aircraft are on display at the 2015 Avalon Air Show (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The USAF F-22 Raptor (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The USAF F-22 Raptor (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The USAF F-22 Raptor (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The USAF F-22 Raptor (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Airbus Tracker Mini Unmanned Aircraft System (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Airbus Tracker Mini Unmanned Aircraft System (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
A reminder of the fact that we are south of the equator (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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A reminder of the fact that we are south of the equator (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Falcon 5X private jet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Falcon 5X private jet (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Sikorsky S-92 helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Sikorsky S-92 helicopter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Inside the Hercules C-130 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Inside the Hercules C-130 (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Tail section of the Atlas A400M airlifter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Tail section of the Atlas A400M airlifter (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Atlas A400M airlifter has a wingspan of 42.4 m (139 ft) (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Atlas A400M airlifter has a wingspan of 42.4 m (139 ft) (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Heads-up display on the Atlas A400M (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Heads-up display on the Atlas A400M (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The Atlas A400M features fly-by-wire technology (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The Atlas A400M features fly-by-wire technology (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The belly of the beast – inside the Atlas A400M (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The belly of the beast – inside the Atlas A400M (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
There's a lack of first class seating in the Atlas A400M (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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There's a lack of first class seating in the Atlas A400M (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Inside the cockpit of the Atlas A400M (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Inside the cockpit of the Atlas A400M (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Atlas A400M controls – we were assured that this is an easy plane to fly by the French pilots (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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Atlas A400M controls – we were assured that this is an easy plane to fly by the French pilots (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The mighty Atlas A400M departs Avalon airport (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
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The mighty Atlas A400M departs Avalon airport (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
View gallery - 108 images

The 2015 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence exhibition showcases a mix of modern jet firepower, heavy-lifting behemoths and attack helicopters, plus an array of personal aircraft, impressive high-flying aerobatics displays and a tribute to aviators of days gone by. Gizmag headed to Avalon airport to check out the action in the skies and on the ground.

Highlights of this year's show include Singapore's Black Knights in their F-16C Fighting Falcons, the formidable USAF F-22 Raptor, outstanding aerobatics displays headlined by the Oris Immortals team – Jurgis Kairys, Skip Stewart and Melissa Pemberton – and historic battle re-enactments featuring replicas of famous aircraft such as the Red Baron's Fokker Dr.I Triplane.

The USAF F-22 Raptor (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
The USAF F-22 Raptor (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)

Inside the cockpit of the Atlas A400M (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)
Inside the cockpit of the Atlas A400M (Photo: Noel McKeegan/Gizmag.com)

Head through to the gallery for a taste of the aerial treats on offer at the biggest airshow ever staged in Australia.

View gallery - 108 images
3 comments
3 comments
Lewis M. Dickens III
With more and more prop driven planes showing up with multi blades of 5 to 8 on the heavy lifters apparently more blades means more power usefully deployed.
Hence the opposite would be true. To reach the Betz limit we have to get away from the 3 bladed fans into having more "resisters" extracting more power from the wind.
b
EH
The most efficient propellers actually have a single blade with a counterweight. Two blades is next best, and is more weight-efficient since it is balanced without a counterweight, but when mounted near a wing there is a partial loss of thrust every time the prop is aligned with the wing, creating noise and vibration. More blades evens out the variations from blade-wing alignment. Adding more blades gives greater thrust for a given prop diameter, which is the main constraint on what sort of prop can be fitted to a plane, but efficiency is somewhat lower and drag is higher.
Antony Borlase
Like how it mentioned about the 'F-35 Static Display'. Will be static for a few years more I fear.