The incredible Jamestown Air Spectacular is back this weekend! Be wowed as close to 50 aircraft take to the skies for adrenaline-pumping action, unbelievable aeronautical acrobatics and spectacular pyrotechnics.
A huge crowd is expected to converge on the Mid North town on Sunday October 8, for the thrilling event which has graced the skies over Sir Hubert Wilkins Aerodrome for more than 30 years.
Warbirds, aerobatics, formation flying and static displays will have aviation enthusiasts in a spin, with special appearances from Australian Aerobatic Champion, Paul Bennet in the Wolf Pits Pro and the mighty Grumman Avenger.
Also taking to the skies above Jamestown for the first time in years will be the beautiful Beech 18, as well as a huge line-up of aircraft including the A22 Foxbat, Vought F4U-5NL Corsair and the RC-3 Super Seabee.
Another big drawcard is the flight of the P-8A Poseidon, with surveillance and reconnaissance for search and rescue as well as long-range anti-submarine capabilities.
SA Police will conduct a flying display, with the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft also available for interactive viewing on the ground.
As well as sensational aviation displays, Jamestown Air Spectacular has a family-friendly carnival atmosphere with face painting, model aeroplanes and food trucks, including Strawberries Galore and the Greek Palais.
Photo – Philip Hosking
Barossa Helicopters will be offering scenic chopper flights throughout the day, and a short film depicting the incredible life of the aerodrome’s namesake, Sir Hubert Wilkins, will be available for viewing.
“The Eye of Wilkins” is an amazing documentary covering Wilkins’ early life at Mount Bryan East to his Canadian Arctic Expedition, his WW1 role as a war historian and the Great Race in 1919 from Britain to Australia and Shackleton’s Quest Adventure.
Jamestown Aerodrome became a major community project in the late 1980’s, when The Royal Flying Doctor Service became unable to land safely at the scrubby dirt airstrip. A volunteer group was formed, raising money and sourcing funding for upgrades to a rubble strip and now a safe bitumised facility and the Sir Hubert Wilkins building, which provides a stabilisation point for medical rescues, as well as an important meeting and events facility for the community.
The weekend’s weather is set to be perfect for flying and even better for pulling up a deck-chair and watching the skyward action.
If you want the best vantage point in the house, tickets are still available for grand-stand and reserved seating, as well as a dinner at the aerodrome on Saturday night.
