A variety of historic and military aircraft flypasts for Australia Day 2022

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Historic and military aircraft can be seen flying past in various parts of Australia today as the country celebrates Australia Day on January 26, 2022.

In the Australian Capital Territory, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17A lll Globemaster aircraft have flown past at the Rond Terrace in Commonwealth Park.

In New South Wales, a C-130J Hercules aircraft has flown past Riverside Park at the Raymond Terrace.  

In Sydney, a flypast and an acrobatic display of the F-35A ll Lightning aircraft can be seen in the morning and evening at Sydney Harbour. 

In Victoria, ​​the RAAF aerobatic team, the Roulettes, have performed an aerial display over Melbourne CBD using a number of the Pilatus PC-21 aircraft.

In Queensland, a RAAF C-27J Spartan from Number 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley was seen in a flypast over Townsville as well. 

In Western Australia, the RAAF will be conducting flying displays using the Pilatus PC-21 aircraft and four PC-21 aircraft over Subiaco and Perth.

Two flypasts were arranged in the Northern Territory, a RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft from Number 75 Squadron based at RAAF Base Tindal, flown past in both Darwin and Katherine regions.

Meanwhile, the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) will fly historic aircraft along the Illawarra coastline and Wollongong Harbor. Subject to conditions aircraft will be:

  • AP3C Lockheed Orion, the former RAAF maritime patrol and submarine hunter; 

  • Catalina, a legendary “Black Cat” flying boat painted in World War 2 colors

  • Douglas C-47/DC-3, one of almost 16,000 built for multi-role transport during WW2

  • Caribou, a short field RAAF transport and Vietnam veteran aircraft

  • P51 Mustang  fighter from WW2 and Korea conflicts (associated with HARS)

  • Bell 47 helicopter, of the type used to start the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

  • UH-1B Huey Iroquois helicopter, now part of the HARS Navy Heritage Flight