After the first three days of the exercise it was time for the participants flypast, i had been looking to this the most and one of the reasons I chose the first week. For those that are not familiar with proceedings (like me a week before I went) the Thursday of the first week, the majority of participants all take to the air before sunset, off to a holding place, then one by one, they flypast with the backdrop of the famous Mindil Beach sunset, they stress its a flypast and not an air show, but each time its held it gets bigger and longer. I arrived at 5.00 pm and found a place i thought was best for shots, standing on the beach with Joe Public wouldn't work as the setting sun was directly in your face. It was very busy with what seemed like half of Australia in attendance. The flypast started and it quickly became apparent that shots would be extremely challenging at best, most aircraft were running in and breaking right before reaching us, 90 % of the flying was backlit, the other 10% was limited light. I ain't expecting any awards for these, they are mostly record only, I think in 2026 I will try and get a boat hired, seemed to give the best possibilities. Anyway enough rambling, this is what was shot..
First up was this MV-22 which was one of twelve on detachment at Darwin, although they never took place in Pitch Black, they were very interested in public relations i was told.
Mv22 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrZoomed out shot to give you a idea of the location, I will always love my local, but this somehow beat Waddington on a bleak rainy afternoon in the wave, waiting for recoveries.
v-22 2 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrNext up was two Philippine air force FA-50's, from certain angles these really look like the F-16. As you can see, they had just started their right turn, any later and the light was gone.
Phillipines FA-50 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrNext up was the Italians with their KC-767 and two Typhoons, these guys were well behaved and stuck to the one pass script.
italian-typhoons (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrTaking the Script that the Italian air force had read and stuck too, the Navy decided to rip it up and treat us to this....Seeing a F-35 and AV8 playing up for the crowd was incredible.
Italian (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on Flickr Another fantastic pass and with the time ticking away till sun down, the Italians decided we really needed a treat.
AV8-F352 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrOK, so I had spent the last three days in a state of disbelief, constant movements from 7.00 am till 6 pm, now I was being treated to what was billed as a quick fly past, the Italians had other ideas, i wont lie, some sand was in my eyes at this point and they were watering with happiness. Its not often that i get a right place right time moment, but the Midil beach gods had ruled in my favour.
AV8-F351 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrWith that i took a moment to compose myself..i was content, i stood in awe and watched the Italians level out for return to Darwin.....oh no, no sir...back round they came.
AV8-F35 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrWhat happened next even threw the commentator, instead of heading off, they split into 1 AV8 and 1 F-35 and decided on doing a solo pass each and a hover, as the first pair were hovering, the second pair buzzed the crown, you can see from the next two shots, they were a little close to the beach !
f34 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on Flickr
av8 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrThen it was time for a bit of flag waving, just Incase the crowd didnt know that they were Italians, the flags came out.
f35flaghead (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on Flickr
f35flag (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrAfter all that excitement, it was the turn of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force to wow the crowds with a slow flypast, followed by an even slower one, wasn't complaining though, not every day you see these machines.
pa750 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on Flickr
pa750 2 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrNot wanting the limelight stolen, it was the turn of the Australian Army with a couple of EC-665 Tiger's, i was informed by a local that having two serviceable was a miracle in itself. These were the only 2 seen whilst i was there, even thought there home is just 8 miles from Darwin, again the locals advise you cannot see into it, and they are very touchy.
tiger (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on Flickr
tiger 2 (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on Flickr
tiger (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrKeeping it slow and steady, the French did a couple of passes with a A-400 and a couple of Rafale's.
Atlas (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on Flickr
Atlas-rafale (1 of 1) by Rob Burns, on FlickrPart two too follow, so as not to get too big.
Thanks
