A parade of six former service aircraft above Anzac Day marches will form a special tribute from the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) above Shellharbour, Kiama, Kangaroo Valley Wollongong, Bundeena, Coogee, Oatley and Sydney on Friday, April 25.
Subject to operational and air traffic control issues on Anzac morning the HARS aerial parade will comprise a former RAAF de Havilland Caribou and C-47/ Dakota, two former Iroquois “Huey” helicopters with Navy, Air Force and Army service will be joined by a CA-18 Mustang and L39 Albatros which are” friends” of HARS.
Due to the number of aircraft with vastly different performance parameters and operational capability, they will take off from HARS Aviation Museum at Shellharbour Airport at staged times before forming up to conduct circuits over the locations at different times.
After the flights the HARS aircraft will return to Shellharbour Airport to form part of the display of heritage aircraft for visitors to HARS Aviation Museum.
Location and times
Shellharbour: The Caribou along with one (and possibly two) Dakotas will make three passes over the Shellharbour Memorial from 8.10am.
Kiama: After departing from their Wollongong salute the Mustang, Albatros and Dakota will head to Kiama from the north where they will be joined by the two HARS Iroquois helicopters from the south to each stage a pass just after the march starts at 10.30am.
Kangaroo Valley: From Kiama the Mustang and Albatros will fly to Kangaroo Valley to conduct three passes.
Nowra, Berry & Huskisson: On their track north the two HARS Iroquois UH “Huey” helicopters will make passes over Bomaderry (10.05am), Nowra (10.36am), Berry (10.28am) and Huskisson (10.44am).
Wollongong: Three passes over Wollongong will be conducted by the Mustang, Albatros and Dakota starting from 9.35am.
Bundeena: The Caribou and Dakota will fly adjacent to Bundeena at 10.35am.
Sydney City: The Caribou and Dakota will aim to fly multiple passes above Hyde Park, Elizabeth Street and the Sydney march after the RAAF contingent steps off at 11.10am.
Oatley: After departing from their Sydney march overflights, and subject to air traffic control clearances, the Caribou and Dakota will make two passes over the Oatley RSL service at Oatley Memorial Gardens at about 11.30am.
Visit HARS Aviation Museum
Closed only on Christmas Day, HARS Aviation Museum offers a largely undercover and hands-on experience for visitors at its Shellharbour Airport hangars.
HARS Aviation Museum is open from 9.30 to 3.30 daily for tours hosted by informative volunteer guides (last tour 2pm). It is located at Shellharbour Airport, off the old Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail and just a short walk from the railway station.
Visitors can make a meal of it when they drop into Café Connie (9.30am to 2pm) where the menu offers a great value selection of delicious home-made hot and cold foods plus excellent coffee.
Details of check-in at HARS Aviation Museum at www.hars.org.au