Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Darren Chester, and Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Leo Davies have recently launched the Centenary of Military Aviation Air Show.
Parliamentary Secretary Chester said the Air Show will commemorate a significant moment in Australia’s military aviation history.
“The first of March 2014 will be the 100th anniversary of the first military flight in Australia when Lieutenant Eric Harrison, originally from Castlemaine and an aviation instructor with the Central Flying School, took off in a Bristol Boxkite here at the spiritual home of the Air Force, Point Cook.
“This air show will provide a wonderful opportunity for Australians to see the evolution in technology and capability of military aviation in this country,” he said.
On display for the first time at the Air Show will be a newly built replica of a Bristol Boxkite aeroplane. No original Boxkite aircraft exist today. The Boxkite replica, built at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, recently completed a program of flight testing when the aircraft was successfully flown on 11 September, this year.
Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Davies, said the Air Force was proud to host the Centenary of Military Aviation Air Show.
“The air show is an opportunity to demonstrate the professionalism and aviation capabilities of today’s Defence Force.
“We have chosen the theme of Tradition, Innovation and Evolution for the event to reinforce the extraordinary journey of military aviation from hand built aircraft like the Boxkite to the complex and powerful military aircraft of today,” Air Vice-Marshal Davies said.
The Centenary of Military Aviation Air Show will be held 1–2 March 2014 at the home of military aviation, RAAF Williams, Point Cook, Victoria.
Tickets for the air show are now on sale. Details about the air show, including prices and how to purchase tickets are available at: www.airforce.gov.au/airshows.
An F/A-18 Hornet passes over the top of the Bristol Boxkite at RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook.
