2018 Warbirds Downunder airshow. Photo: Temora Aviation Museum.
The iconic Warbirds Downunder airshow is preparing to take off in Temora after a four-year hiatus.
The largest Warbirds airshow in the southern hemisphere will bring together 60 to 70 warbirds for a two-day celebration of Australian Aviation history.
The Temora Aviation Museum (TAM) had pilots take to the skies over Temora for an airborne spectacular in 2018, attracting just under 20,000 people across two days.
TAM deputy CEO Peter Harper is hoping for another successful event after the 2020 airshow was cancelled due to COVID.
“We’re in a completely different world to what we were in 2018 in terms of people’s behaviour in attending large events, the rise in the cost of living and interest rates do impact,” he said.
“It is the reality and it is out of our control.
“We’re focusing on the event and we’ll market as well as we can, but it is hard to say how many people we will attract at this stage.”
The biennial event is one of the largest events in the Riverina and coincides with the Canola Trail.
Mr Harper said the airshow’s focus is on ex-military aviation, which will take the audience on a journey of aircraft that served the Air Force across the past 80 years.
“We’ll be showcasing everything right from the primitive training aircraft to Tiger Moths, Spitfires and vintage jets,” he said.
“The Royal Australian Air Force will bring the current serving aircraft and demonstrate what our Air Force is currently capable of delivering.
“The current frontline sixth-generation jet and C17 Globemasters are aircraft flying over us, protecting our country and serving overseas.
“We are not only demonstrating what Australia’s Air Force capability was but also its current capabilities.”
Mr Harper added it is important to see just how far the Air Force has come in a relatively short period in aviation history.
He said the Aviation Museum takes the title of largest Warbirds airshow in the southern hemisphere as a “significant responsibility”.
“It is something we take seriously and devote the appropriate amount of time, finance and resource to put on the event,” he said
“There is an element of financial risk attached to the event. The fixed cost does not matter if you have a thousand people come through the gate or 20,000.”
Mr Harper said the airshow always captures the attention of aviation enthusiasts but also hopes to attract families and the great nomads travelling around the region who may have heard about the airshow but never been.
He said the Aviation Museum wouldn’t be able to put on the airshow without the support of the Temora Shire Council.
The council helps the Aviation Museum with the traffic management plan and caravan park operations.
Mr Harper added it is essential to work with the council as it understands the economic benefits of getting people to come and stay in the town.
“It is the multiplier effect of having so many staying in the town that generates a significant amount of money,” he said.
Mr Harper explained that the airshow is a great opportunity for Temora to show off what it can offer.
The Warbirds Downunder Airshow will run on 15 and 16 October at The Temora Aviation Museum. Click here to purchase tickets.
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