AFTER 18 months of planning, the Nhill Air Show is almost here.
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The hum of aircraft is approaching and the smell of avgas is wafting near.
The air show is celebrating 75 years of the RAAF training base at Nhill Aerodrome.
During WWII, more than 10,000 personnel trained at the base and were welcomed into the Nhill community.
The air show will also celebrate the hospitality and innovation of the 1940s and today.
Gates open this Saturday, October 10 at 9am with a community market and historical displays.
An amazing flying program begins at 11am and will run right through to 4pm.
Aircraft include a CAC Wirraway, P51 Mustang, Stinson Reliant, T28 Trojan, P40 Kittyhawk, Pitts Special (aerobatic display aircraft), Marchetti S2-11 jet, CAC Boomerang, Tiger Moths, DH Chipmunk, Cessnas, the heritage trainer formation display team (including Winjeel and CT4), Ryan SCW, Ryan PT22 and no-one will want to miss the Roulettes.
The DC-3 charter flight from Melbourne is fully booked and anticipated to land in Nhill at approximately 10.30am; just in time for the official opening by retired RAAF air commodore John Clarkson.
There will be opportunities to meet the RAAF roulette pilots and have your photograph taken with them, listen to stories of young pilots and historical talks from RAAF personnel, information on the Nhill Avro Anson restoration and the link trainer.
Ryan Campbell, the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world, will be there to sign his book Born to Fly and answer any questions. Children’s activities include jumping castle, face painting, model wooden aeroplane kits and paper plane competition.
There is an extensive market with stallholders selling produce from the local Karen community, second-hand aviation supplies, crafts, nuts, handbags created from recycled material, various model aeroplanes, local sweet treats and preserves, card products and magnetic therapy products.
Other items of interest include a fashion display of 1940s clothing, marching by the air force cadets, an ACMA flight simulator, small engines, radio control model aircraft, Liberator B24 display, vintage cars, and military vehicles, static aviation displays and the Hindmarsh youth art competition.
The Pacific Belles will perform songs from 1940s, along with the Ballarat symphony quartet. Shuttle buses will run from the Hindmarsh Visitor Information Centre from 9am every hour. Ticket purchases are available on the website www.nhillairshow.com.au or at the gate.