iscover
Sydneysiders heard the roar of one of the RAAF’s F-35 fighter jets as it completed a series of flypasts across NSW to mark ANZAC Day.
The fifth-generation aircraft swept past Doyalson on the Central Coast at 9am before heading south to Freshwater on the Northern Beaches and then onto locations including Lake Macquarie, Belmont and Newcastle.
Below, Australian Aviation presents the best of the videos taken by onlookers and you can see a full itinerary of flypasts at the bottom of this article.
The F-35 is the country’s newest fighter, bought to replace the RAAF’s F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets that were in service since 1985 and retired in late 2021.
Over the coming years, Australia will purchase 72 as part of the $17 billion AIR 6000 Phase 2A/B program, with all expected to be fully operational by 2023.
So far, the RAAF’s fleet includes 48, with another four arriving last month.
Thus far, RAAF F-35A aircraft have clocked over 15,000 flight hours and have already achieved initial operational capability, making it combat-ready.
The aircraft comes in three variants: the F-35A – purchased by Australia – is a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version; the F-35B is a short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant, and the final F-35C is the carrier type (CV).
In June 2021, Australian Aviation reported how two F-35s took to the skies with a full complement of weapons for the first time.
The landmark moment came as the pair were taking part in Exercise Arnhem Thunder 21 from RAAF Base Darwin.
In addition to their internal payload, the F-35s departed with laser-guided GBU-12 bombs attached to their under-wing pylons.
The bombs were dropped on ground-based targets at the Delamere Air Weapons Range, located about 120 kilometres south of Katherine.
See details of all the flypasts below to identify what aircraft you saw.
NSW
| TOWN/CITY | LOCATION | TIMING | AIRCRAFT |
| Doyalson | Pacific Highway, Doyalson | 9.05am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Freshwater | Harbord Diggers Club, Evans Street, Freshwater | 9.20am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Sydney CBD | Elizabeth Street, Sydney | 9.30am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Terrigal Wamberal | The Terrigal Foreshore War Memorial, The Esplanade | 9.40am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Toukley | Main Road, Toukley | 9.40am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Lake Macquarie | Dora Creek Workers Club, Minnie Street, Dora Creek | 9.40am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Wangi Wangi | Wangi Wangi RSL, Watkings Road, Wangi Wangi | 9.40am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Belmont | Cullen Park War Memorial,
Corner Ada Street and Pacific Highway, Belmont |
9.45am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Newcastle | Civic Park, corner of King and Aukland Streets, Newcastle | 10.00am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Maitland | Corner William and Newcastle Streets (New England Highway), Maitland | 10.30am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Muswellbrook | Corner Market Street and New England Highway, Muswellbrook | 10.35am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Tilligerry | Tilligerry RSL Sports Club, Lemon Tree Passage Road, Tanilba Bay | 10.40am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Nelson Bay | Apex Park, Laman Street, Nelson Bay | 11.00am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Raymond Terrace | Anzac Park, Raymond Terrace, corner Jacaranda Avenue and Port Stephens Street | 11.00am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Wyong | Wyong Town Park, corner of Alison Road and Rankens Court , Wyong | 11.05am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Branxton | Branxton RSL Memorial Rotunda, John Rose Avenue, Branxton | 11.20am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Cessnock | Cessnock Cenotaph TAFE Park, post WW2 Memorial Veterans Park, Cessnock | 11.30am | F-35A Lightning II |
| The Entrance | Cenotaph, Memorial Park, Marine Parade, The Entrance | 11.35am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Ourimbah | Ourimbah Public School, Pacific Highway, Ourimbah | 11.40am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Empire Bay | War Memorial Sorrento Road, Empire Bay | 11.50am | F-35A Lightning II |
| Kyogle | Summerland Way (main street) Kyogle | 10.21am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Woodenbong | Unumgar Street, Woodenbong | 10.27am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Deepwater | New England Highway, Deepwater | 10.47am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Emmaville | Emmaville | 10.51am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Glen Innes | Glen Innes & District Services Club, Grey Street, Glen Innes | 10.56am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Guyra | Soliders Memorial Hall, Bradley Street, Guyra | 11.04am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Tenterfield | RSL Pavilion, Molesworth Street, Tenterfield | 11.20am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Tabulam | Clarence Street, Tabulam | 11.27am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Woodburn | Riverside Park, River Street, Woodburn | 1027am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Evans Head | Evans Head | 10.30am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Grafton | Memorial Park, Prince Street, Grafton | 10.41am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| South Grafton | Skinner Street and Through Street, South Grafton | 10.42am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Ulmarra | Memorial Park, Coldstream Road, Ulmarra | 10.44am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Maclean | River Street and Wharf Street, Mclean | 10.48am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Yamba | Queen Street and Marine Parade, Yamba | 10.51am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Iluka | Charles and Micalo Streets, Iluka | 10.52am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Ballina | Ballina RSL Memorial Park, Grant Street, Ballina | 11.00am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Wallendbeen | Wallendbeen | 9.16am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft |
| Cootamundra | 9.20am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft | |
| Temora | 11.00am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft | |
| Lockhart | 11.19am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft | |
| Finley | 11.38am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft | |
| Oaklands | 11.48am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft | |
| Uranquinty | Wirraway Park, Uranquinty | 09.00am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft |
| Wagga Wagga | Victory Memorial Gardens, Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga | 10.35am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft |
| The Rock | 10.45am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft | |
| Coolamon | Cowabbie Street, Coolamon | 10.59am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft |
| Ganmain | Ganmain Memorial Bowling Club, Waterview Street, Ganmain | 11.04am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft |
| Griffith | Memorial Park, Banna Avenue, Griffith | 12.00 – 12.10pm | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft |
| Ardlethan | 11.53am | No. 100 Squadron heritage aircraft | |
| Port Macquarie | Port Macquarie RSL SB | 11:00am | E-7A Wedgetail |
| Harrington | Harrington-Crowdy Head RSL Sub Branch | 11.45am | E-7A Wedgetail |
| Old Bar | Old Bar Beach RSL Sub Branch | 12.20pm | E-7A Wedgetail |
| Rathmines | Ex-RAAF Base Rathmines Memorial, Stilling Street, Rathmines | 1.20pm | E-7A Wedgetail |
Queensland
| TOWN/CITY | LOCATION | TIMING | AIRCRAFT |
| Townsville | The Strand, Townsville | 9.00am | C-27J Spartan |
| Kalbar | Kalbar War Monument, Engelsburg Memorial Park, Edward Street, Kalbar | 9.54am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Brisbane | Brisbane CBD | 10.05am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Stanthorpe | Stanthorpe | 10.37am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Palm Beach | Currumbin Palm Beach RSL Cenotaph, Duringan Street, Currumbin | 11.11am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Tweed Heads | Chris Cunningham Park, ADJ to Twin Towns Services Club | 11.13am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Brisbane | Brisbane CBD | 11.30am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Springbrook | Cenotaph at Centenary Park, Carricks Road, Springbrook | 11.40am | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
Victoria
| TOWN/CITY | LOCATION | TIMING | AIRCRAFT |
| Templestowe | Templestowe Remembrance Gardens, corner Foote St and High Street, Lower Templestowe | 9.40am | PC-21 |
| Melbourne CBD | Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne | 10.56am | PC-21 |
| Montmorency | Petrie Park, 16 Mountain View Road, Montmorency | 10.47am | PC-21 |
| Inverloch | Civil Hub, A’Beckett Street, Inverloch | 10.34am | PC-21 |
| Korumburra | Coleman Park, Queen Street, Korumburra | 10.30am | PC-21 |
| Portarlington | Portarlington Cenotaph, Pier Street, Portarlington | 11.01am | PC-21 |
| Crib Point | 10.42am | PC-21 | |
| Flinders | 10.45am | PC-21 | |
| Rosebud | 10.48am | PC-21 | |
| Drysdale | 11.00am | PC-21 | |
| Berwick | 11.20am | PC-21 | |
| Phillip Island | 11.28am | PC-21 | |
| Bentleigh | 11.00am | PC-21 | |
| Upwey | 11.03am | PC-21 |
WA
| TOWN/CITY | LOCATION | TIMING | AIRCRAFT |
| Wanneroo | Wanneroo War Memorial | 12.00pm | PC-21 |
| Rockingham | Corner Flinders Land and Kent Street, Rockingham | 12.30pm | PC-21 |
| Mt Hawthorn | Axford Park, corner Osford Street and Scarborough Beach Road | 11.50am | PC-21 |
| Victoria Plains | ANZAC Memorial, Victoria Plains | 12.00pm | PC-21 |
| Yanchep | Yanchep National Park | 12.25pm | PC-21 |
| Mt Barker | War Memorial, Centenary Park, Mt Barker | 10.55am | PC-21 |
| Walpole | Walpole Memorial, corner Pier Street and Latham Avenue, Walpole | 11.10am | PC-21 |
| Albany | Albany War Memorial | 11.30am | PC-21 |
| Lancelin | Memorial, Gingin Road, Lancelin | 12.15pm | PC-21 |
| Busselton | Busselton War Memorial, Albert Street, Busselton | 10.00am | PC-21 |
| Kwinana and Medina | Medina War Memorial, Pace Road, Medina | 11.10am | PC-21 |
| Geraldton | Birdwood House, corner Chapman Rd and Forrest Street, Geraldton | 11.05am | PC-21 |
| Dwellingup | Dwellingup Memorial Park, Dwellingup | 10.30am | PC-21 |
| Toodyay | Anzac Park, Anzac Avenue, Toodyay | 11.25am | PC-21 |
| Bakers Hill | Hooper Park, Great Eastern Highway, Bakers Hill | 11.20am | PC-21 |
| Waroona-Hamel | Waroona Memorial, South Western Highway, Waroona | 10.35am | PC-21 |
| Northampton | 239 Hampton Road, Northampton | 11.15am | PC-21 |
| Mandurah | Mandurah War Memorial, 11 Leighton Pl, Halls Head | 11.00am | PC-21 |
| Boyup Brook | Sandakan Park, Abel Street, Boyup Brook | 11.55am | PC-21 |
| Jurien Bay | Jurien Bay War Memorial, Jurien Bay | 11.45am | PC-21 |
SA
| TOWN/CITY | LOCATION | TIMING | AIRCRAFT |
| Edithburgh | Edithburgh Memorial, Main Street, Edithburgh | 09.00am | P-8A Poseidon |
| Adelaide CBD | King William Street, Adelaide | 10.30am | P-8A Poseidon |
NT
| TOWN/CITY | LOCATION | TIMING | AIRCRAFT |
| Timber Creek | Nackeroo Monument Timber Creek | 8.00am | F-35A |
| Dundee Beach | Dundee Beach Cenotaph (Old Boat Ramp) | 8.30am | F-35A |
| Wagait | Wagait Tower Road, Wagait | 8.35am | F-35A |
| Darwin | Esplanade, Darwin City | 9.00am | F-35A |
| Palmerston | Palmerston War Memorial Park, Palmerston | 9.02am | F-35A |
| Adelaide River and Coomalie | Adelaide River War Cemetery, Memorial Terrace, Adelaide River | 9.10am | F-35A |
| Katherine | Katherine Cenotaph, Railway Terrace, Katherine | 09.15am | F-35A |
| Kalkarindji | Kalkarindji, Butine Highway | 09.45am | F-35A |
| Elliott | Elliott Memorial Park, Elliott | 10.30am | F-35A |
| Katherine | Katherine Country Club 40 Pearce Street, Katherine | 11.00am | F-35A |
Tasmania
| LOCATION | TIME | AIRCRAFT |
| Bicheno | 08.30-09.30 am | KA 350 King Air |
| Hobart | 10.00am-12.30 pm | KA 350 King Air |
| Westbury | 10.40-11.30 am | KA 350 King Air |
| Queenstown | 11.00am-12.00 pm | KA 350 King Air |
ACT
A C-130J Hercules will fly over Anzac Parade at 9.35am.
HARS
The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) is also putting on a flypast over seven locations across the NSW South Coast, Illawarra, and Sydney. The aircraft on the schedule include an Orion, Mustang, Harvard, and Huey Helicopter, which will fly over the South Coast from Kiama, Kangaroo Valley and Wollongong, while a Tracker, Dakota, and Caribou will fly past Cronulla, Coogee and Sydney City. First, all seven aircraft will overfly the HARS Aviation Museum at Shellharbour in a long line astern sequence, led by the Orion at 8:10am. The display will include two passes before the aircraft return to the airport. Full details can be found here.
phodge
says:Oh good! So Sydneysiders will have had an eyeful of wasteful Oz defence spending …and on Anzac Day too! All the more wasteful because they’re not evem “C”s ie cannot operate from Oz heli carriers.
Oz does not need expensive fighter planes anymore than it needs nuclear subs!