Changes to air show

Regional aircraft enthusiasts will now pencil in November 2 for a 2019 Nhill Airshow after a change in dates.

Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre board made the move in response to a request from Paul Bennett Airshows, the group managing the event.

The show was originally scheduled for October 26.

Nhill centre board member John Deckert said the move would open the door for a bigger event than originally planned.

“It is unfortunate that many people have already booked their accommodation. However, we are assured the air show will be an even bigger and more spectacular event, so please save the date,” he said

The air show will celebrate the centenary of aviation at Nhill only five days short of the day the first plane landed at Nhill racecourse on November 7, 1919.

Mr Deckert said visitors would be treated to non-stop displays of aerobatics, skydiving and vintage aircraft manoeuvres.

“A range of recreational and wartime aircraft will be flying in, and a DC3 will bring passengers from Melbourne for an overnight stay,” he said.

“Vintage cars, military vehicles, a community market, fashion parade and food stalls, along with flight simulators, photographic displays, joy flights and children’s activities will all add to the festival atmosphere planned for this centenary celebration.”

In November 1919 a much smaller crowd of excited onlookers was treated to a much smaller air show when a de Havilland 6 aircraft, with pilot Robert W. Mckenzie at the controls, landed in a paddock on the outskirts of town.

“This momentous event marked the beginning of a remarkable 100 years of aviation activity in Nhill,” Mr Deckert said.

“During the past century the aerodrome has been used as an RAAF base, a passenger terminal for ANA, and a stopover point for many well-known aviators including Bert Hinkler, Charles Kingsford-smith, Nancy Bird and Amy Johnson.”

Nhill aerodrome continues to draw recreational pilots from across the country, offering pilot training, firebombing and air-ambulance services.

The aerodrome is also the home of the Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre and aero club.