1997

By its third outing at Avalon, the Airshow event was starting to gain momentum – and recognition. Visiting aircraft included a USAF F-16, KC-135 and C-17, plus a Canadian CP-140 Aurora (Orion), a USMC Super Cobra (part of a sales push to the ADF by Bell), an Ansett A320 in 'Sydney 2000' Olympics colours, and a pair of Canadair CL-215 Super Scooper firebombers. A highlight was the first appearance at Avalon of the HARS Super Constellation after its restoration in the USA and flight to Australia the previous year. Another was the Night Alight display on the Friday evening, a smorgasbord of sights, sounds, light and dark culminating in the spectacular F-111 'dump and burn' in the darkness.