Each Day the Airborne Action Starts at 10:00am – 4:00pm
Below is the 2023 line-up that has been announced so far with plenty more to come.
Each day is planned to have the same line-up.
*Participating aircraft subject to change without notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
Wolf Pitts Pro
Paul Bennet’s solo display is 12 mins of high energy, engine screaming precision aerobatics, starting at a height of 3500ft down to ground level! The Wolf Pitts is the highest performing aerobatic biplane in the world with an astonishing 400hp!
Grumman Avenger
Whether on the ground or in the air, this aircraft is sure to draw attention wherever it goes! The massive 1942 Grumman Avenger was a torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and features a unique folding wing arrangement for carrier operations. One rescued WWII Avenger pilot would later become U.S. President George H. W. Bush
EDGE 540
The Zivko Edge 540 is a highly aerobatic aircraft powered by a 350hp Lycoming engine. Capable of a 420 degree per second roll rate and a 3,700 foot per minute climb rate, it has been flown to victory many times in aerobatic competitions and is now synonymous with the air racing series as the base that alt other race aircraft are judged. Displayed by one of Australia’s top aerobatic pilots, the display showcases the aircrafts precision and performance that has made this design so popular.
Australian Flag Drop
No better way to kick off an airshow than with an epic flag drop.
P-40 Kittyhawk
With two shy of 12,000 P-40 Warhawks made during WWII, their strength was in the number built. The Kittyhawk was one of two variants operated by the RAF, and two P-40s were the first aircraft valiantly taken up in response to the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Spitfire MkIX
Australia’s newest Spitfire (VH-IXF / MH606) is up in the skies after sixty years, following a huge 11-year restoration by the team at Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR). Don’t miss this Spitfire’s Merlin 70-series V12 roar into life and come watch as this iconinc historic aircraft takes to the skies.
Skyaces
The famous SkyAces perform an array of dazzling formation aerobatics in very close proximity. Not only do the SkyAces performance entail skilful formation loops and rolls but also dynamic head to head stunts, which are guaranteed to leave you speechless!
A37 Dragonfly
This A-37B is part of the Temora Aviation Museum and was built in 1968. The A-37 was an American light attack aircraft used in the Vietnam War. Some 577 A-37B Drgaonflies (aka Super Tweets) were built, amassing over 166,000 combat sorties with only 22 USAF losses.
After an extensive restoration, VH-XVA returned to the skies in 2018.
TA-18 Canberra
T-28 Trojan
The T-28 Trojan was a piston- engined military trainer used by the United States Air Force and Navy, beginning in the 1950’s. Besides being a trainer, the T-28 was employed as a counter-insurgency aircraft, primarily during the Vietnam War.
Spitfire MkVIII
The Supermarine Spitfire is an iconic WWII fighter, renowned for its stunning design, incredible speed and manoeuvrability and of course, its lethality and success as a warbird.
This MkVIII, VH-HET, is part of the Temora Aviation Museum collection.
E-7A WEDGETAIL
The E-7A Wedgetail provides Australia with one of the most advanced airspace battle management capabilities in the world. Based on the Boeing 737-700 series aircraft, the Wedgetail has been modified for the modern battlespace. It cam Simultaneously track airborne and maritime targets.
CAC Wirraway
The word ‘Wirraway’ is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘Challenge’. The Wirraway was a training and general purpose military aircraft manufactured in Australia, built by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation between 1939 and 1946.
The 2023 Hunter Valley Airshow will play host to two Wirraways: VH-WWY from the PBA hangars and VH-BFF from Temora Aviation Museum.
CAC Winjeel
‘Winjeel’ is an indigenous word for ‘young eagle’ and the Australian-designed and built training aircraft began training fighter pilots in 1955. It served this purpose until 1975 when the Winjeel was equipped with smoke bombs and used for target marking until 1994.
Yakovlev YAK-52
The Yakovlev YAK-52 is a Soviet primary training aircraft which first flew in 1976 and is powered by the distinct-sounding M14-P radial engine. The development of the aircraft incorporates a number of features to be found on the early post-war fighters.
CA-18 Mustang
CAC CA-18 Mk21 Mustang, A68-107 / VH-AUB is one of the most famous and oldest Warbirds, having been restored and registered by Pay’s and put on the Australian register in 1980. The aircraft was previously in private hands from 1958 to 1966 with Titus Oates.
Robinson R44
See the four-seater, twin-blade Robinson R44 light helicopter in action throughout the event – or even take a joyride yourself! The R44 has been the best-selling helicopter since it first went on sale in the early 1990s.
Cessna 02
The Cessna 02 Skymaster was used by the USAF as a FAC and PSYOPS unit between 1967 and 2010. It featured a unique fore-aft, twin-engine configuration, with its high-mounted wings offering excellent field of view for reconnaissance.
Heritage Trainers
Witness the CAC Winjeel and a trio of PAK CT-4 training aircraft fly in formation over Cessnock airport, as well as performing acrobatic manoeuvres.
Pitts Model 12
The Pitts Model 12 (aka Monster Stinker) is a large fully aerobatic biplane designed around utilising the 360hp Russian M14P radial engine and can be built from plans or purchased in kit form.
RC Model Jets
Enjoy some impressive displays by a range of model RC jets, showing just how much fun you can have flying, without even sitting in the cockpit. RC models are a great way to get the younger generation interested in flying before they can jump into the cockpit of their bigger counterparts.
