20210925-MMPI0078
On Saturday 25th September 2021 several ADF aircraft performed their flying display at the Brisbane Festival Riverfire 2021 event. I went down to the Brisbane River at Milton, accompanied by my wife to capture the action. I chose to shoot from near the Go Between Bridge as I wanted to avoid the big crowds that would have gathered at Southbank, Kangaroo Point Cliffs and Eagle Street precinct. First to perform was the RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft from No 36 Squadron at 5pm, with aircraft serial A41-210 being used (A41-206 was used on the Thursday practice). The aircraft made its approach from the west at 300ft AGL, dropping over the river at Milton which would have given people watching the in-progress NRL Rugby League qualifying final at Suncorp Stadium a great view. The display followed the river past North Quay and Southbank, over the Captain Cook Bridge then climbing to make a 270 degree turn over the Woolloongabba area. The crew then bank hard over Southbank and follow the river past the Botanic Gardens and Eagle Steet precinct, finally pulling up and climbing hard over the Story Bridge. At times we could see the big jet between buildings in the distance, banked at low altitude which looks amazing. I managed to capture a couple of shots showing this, and one with a group of spectators on a balcony watching it fly past with only the tail visible to camera from behind their building. At 5:30pm the Australian Army performed their display, with a two NHIndustries Tiger ARH Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (A38-008, A38-021) and a pair of MRH-90 Taipan utility (A40-027, A40-036) helicopters. They arrived as a combined formation, splitting into two pairs of like aircraft for separate displays. Each performed flyovers and hover at low level to kick up spray from the Brisbane River. After fifteen minutes the display was over and all four helicopters turned and headed back along the river to the west into the sunset. They flew directly over our position on the Go Between Bridge at low altitude which my wife enjoyed, as usual I was trying to capture the moment and don't quite get the effect of just watching the action. The helicopters are operated by the Army Aviation training Centre (AA Avn) based at Oakey, around 150Km west of Brisbane. A lovely evening to enjoy a thrilling aircraft display, with hundreds of people then settling in to watch the fireworks display.
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