“The Avalon Airshow continues to grow each time it is held. It took double the normal time to travel through the trade pavilions. Additional trade stands equals more people to engage with.

I still remember the first Avalon Airshow. I recall Russian aircraft and the East-West runway was in operation. I don’t think it has ever been used since. So much standing water, mud and woodchips that created areas of quicksand. It’s amazing to think that it was held back in 1992. I have managed to attend everyone since.

I was able to attend trade day this year due to membership with the RAAF Association. Since 1920, the Air Force Association has supported Air Force veterans and their families through advocacy, fellowship and commemoration.

In 1989, I read an interesting article in the local Bacchus Marsh newspaper, about a Cherry Orchard famer who had flown with RAF 115 Lancaster squadron. As Max Durham only resided a few streets away, I visited Max with an Aviation Art book. Max borrowed the book and after 5 weeks, thought I would never see it again. Then, one Saturday morning, Max appeared at my home with the book and a few autographs, as he had attended a luncheon with a few former Air Force mates. Max then invited me to a large veteran lunch, held each Friday before Grand Final Saturday, known as RAF Europe. I recall over 100 veterans who had served in Europe and the Middle East attending. As their ranks thinned out, they became The Odd Bods.

I had the privilege of picking up a former WWII Typhoon pilot, Tom Hall, on many Sunday afternoons, to accompany him to RAAFA headquarters in Cromwell Road, South Yarra. This was to attend the Fighter Squadrons branch meetings.

If only I had taken a tape recording to those meetings. I soon learnt a new phrase known as ‘shooting a line’. Stories told by WWII veterans of events or situations that a veteran would describe, only for them to look at you and say, ‘it didn’t really happen that way’.

It might have been the 2002 Avalon Airshow that I attended, escorting around 10 former WWII veterans from the Fighter Squadrons branch. Geoff Marsh, a former Spitfire pilot from RAAF 457 squadron managed to sit in the restored Spitfire on the flight line. I believe the markings of the aircraft depicted RAAF 457 squadron. The other veterans had flown Spitfires, Kittyhawks, Boomerangs and there was even a former RAF Corsair pilot. Truly a unique and memorable experience, real aviation heritage.

There were many United States Navy aviators I met and corresponded with over the years. One particular was Ken Glass, who served on the USS Hornet and witnessed the launching of the Doolittle Raiders. Ken was a former Avenger pilot and for many years would send me photos of airshows he attended, proudly wearing a small gold Kangaroo stick pin on the collar of his flight jacket. Ken did make it to Brisbane for R&R. The stories he mentioned were not ‘shooting a line’ and too long to write about for this article and would certainly make your eyebrows rise reading them. You wouldn’t get away with those ‘adventures’ today, a guess a different time and difference set of circumstances.

As I walk around the Avalon Airshow, aircraft types change over the years covering modern to heritage aircraft. Veterans are not forgotten as I quietly smile recalling a shared story gazing upon a static aircraft. Then there are the new stories to be heard, from the people at the many trade stands, some originating from all over the World. It might be a career, a hobby, but the one common theme is a passion for flight.”

– David Davine