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Buckshot
03-22-2009, 06:05
For all the Australian based forum members, some possible good news.

I've been hearing rumors of a Thunderbird tour heading down under for some time, now the TBird site lists a "far east tour" in October with locations TBA, and I have it on very good authority that the TBirds were inspecting at least one site in Australia, being Townsville.

All I know for now, no idea if it will be one show only, or if they'll visit a few cities like they did last time, but will keep you update as I hear more.

BTW they are flying the new Block 52's now, so should be a great show.
Zaggy
03-23-2009, 00:58
Bucky, that is well cool!
Playloud
03-23-2009, 04:08
Out of curiosity, what would the new Block 52's add to the show?
LeL
03-23-2009, 08:16
Hope they make it to Brisbane.... its been 20 years
Buckshot
03-23-2009, 09:15
Out of curiosity, what would the new Block 52's add to the show?

More noise, more power, lol, what more is there?

Not sure how much they've changed up the routine though, last time I saw them they were flying A's, so it's been a long while between drinks.
Nimrod389
03-26-2009, 03:59
G'day,

This is great news. Last time I saw the TBirds was in 1987, when they visited Brisbane. If they're inspecting Townsville, it maybe because they'll be involved in the next Defence Force Airshow, which will be held there around September/October. Got my fingers crossed.
Buckshot
03-26-2009, 06:17
Yeah, the airshow just got approved and is part of the whole deal. I'm hearing some more talk now that they will make their way down the east coast as well, but nothing on specifically what cities they will be visiting.
Lawndart
03-30-2009, 11:42
Not sure how much they've changed up the routine though, last time I saw them they were flying A's, so it's been a long while between drinks.

Just got back from watching them yesterday @ MacDill AFB.

New demo this year. 4-ship burner loop right on takeoff (without a low transition - rotate straight into the vertical), and a few other new maneuvers. They've also changed up the sequence of the maneuvers from the way the show has been over the past 6-7 years since the last time they tweaked it. The block 52's are louder, and it also shows how the pilot is fighting the flight controls even more in the High Alpha and slow speed maneuvers! The blk 52 just doesn't like to be flown slow and at high AoA like that. The show is really fast though, no down time. No more than a few seconds between each aircraft/formation.
Cobra
03-31-2009, 12:43
I'll definitely try and make it to a show if they come to Oz.

:smile: