Ex Pitch Black flying display

[Andyph]

makes RIAT seem a bit yawn.
- Darwin Austrailia

Mindil Beach Flying Display Programme, Thursday Evening, 18th of July 2024
5.00pm – 5.30pm

United States Osprey
Australian “Tiger” helicopter
Papua New Guinea PAC 750
German Airbus A400
Philippines F-50 Golden Eagle
Malaysian F-18D Hornet
French Rafale Fighter
5.30pm - 6.00pm

Italian Navy F-35B and Harrier
Italian Air Force KC767, G550, Typhoon and F-35A
Australian E-7A Wedgetail
Australian F-35A Lightning II
Thai Gripen Fighter
British Voyager and Typhoon
Republic of Korea F-15 Eagle
6.00pm – 6.30pm

Singaporean F-16 Falcon and F-15 Eagle
Japanese E767 and F-2 Fighter
Indonesian F-16 Falcon


Indian Su-30
United States F-22 Raptor
Australian F/A-18F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler

and on the Saturday there will be an open day at Darwin:

RAAF Base Darwin will open its tarmac to the public for the Exercise Pitch Black 24 Open Day between 9am-4pm on Saturday, 20 July 2024.

The Open Day is a free community event but visitors will require an entry ticket for crowd management and services. Tickets will not be available at the event and must be pre-purchased via OzTix from Midday on 20 June.

The Open Day is a great opportunity to see the latest operational aircraft and meet Australian and international air and ground crews from over 20 nations participating in Exercise Pitch Black.

Over 30 different Australian and international military aircraft will be on ground display, as well a wide range of military equipment, flight simulators, interactive exhibits, working dog displays, bomb defusal, combat engineering and logistics, military bands, ADF Cadets, Police, Rescue & Fire vehicles, and Community & Aviation groups.

Food stalls, free water refills, a shaded seating area and amenities will be available throughout the day. Personal food & non-alcoholic drinks may be brought into the Open Day. Please note, BBQs, and Drones are not permitted and the Open Day is a non-smoking event.

[Supra]

Very Good!.... But is the Sun behind you or against?
How long does it take to get out of the Car-park?
Essential info' before a 30 hr flight!

[Andyph]

Sun is off to the left - and you can walk onto the beach

[Andyph]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_XBhkZKXWA

[Fighterfoto]

Went to the one shown in the vid. Sun is ok but most of these are single flypasts or 360 deg turns some distance off the beach. Only exceptions were a Marine Corps V-22 and Aussie F-35.

Looked to me as though the breakwater to the left was probably the best location. Well attended but traffic is not an issue, and you can also grab a cold one in the Casino if so inclined. Going into the water to cool down is not advised on account of the box jellyfish.

They also have an open day at Darwin with static examples of participating aircraft. A challenge photography wise but not every day you see an Indonesian F-16.

[Thunder]

Wouldn’t worry about the box jellyfish, the salties eat them as snacks.

[Finty]

Cor blimey that’s a bit good

[Blackcat1]

I wish that was the line up at a RIAT

[Philwinward]

If you think about it, many of the “exotics” are actually Australias neighbours .

[Blackcat1]

That’s no excuse. Get your arses to RIAT