Pitch Black 2012

[Scott K]

Anyone got any news regarding Pitch Black 2012?

[A McLaughlin]

Particpants include Indon Su-30s, Thai F-16s and Singaporean F-16s...as well as the usual US stuff plus RAAF Hornets and Super Hornets, and Wedgetail. Should be a good show.

[Jayden Laing]

Anyone heading up?? I'm contemplating going up for it..... Are there any good photography spots in DRW for it?? (asking because I haven't been to DRW before). I also read somewhere, possibly RAAF Facebook page, that the base will be having an open day on the 11th August 2012.

[Martin E]

Unless you've got some awesome access to the EX like Darwin or Tindal RAAF Bases, Tower access, then I wouldn't bother. After living there for many years, I got to know where was good for photography and where wasn't, and more importantly where I could sneak in a few shots here and there!

There are little to no real good viewing areas, the ones that are there are too far from the action and its just too heat hazed for anything decent. You'll soon get moved on from these areas (my Operations from the civil area or SECPOL) as you are photographing onto RAAF infrastructure. All you will get are approach and departure shots (knowing the Thai AF, they'll be too high for decent shots on departure anyway!)

Not only that, SECPOL do create issues for photographers during exercises and at other times too. They don't mind onlookers, but start pointing cameras towards airside, and they start. I have been requested (and others with me) to delete certain images off our cameras at times. Don't even think about getting the camera out of the car if you go to Tindal. They know what you are about to do down there before you do!

My advice - as cool as the exercises are in Darwin (my opinion is Ex Talisman Saber is way better!), save your coin!

If you can wangle some access from the RAAF, go for it!

Just my 2 cents worth!

[Jaryd stock]

Martin what are the open days like ? Have you been to any of them, and do the international visitors stick around for these open days? Cheers..

[Martin E]

Yeah mate, I went to the 2008 one, it was the only one (open day) held while I was there. It wasn't too bad. They held it during the exercise on a weekend (ex usually goes for 3 weeks). So everything is there. The FRA was cordened off for the morning with 1 of each type on display. But the 2008 exercise was huge. A bug from 3 sqn did a handling display for that particular open day. That was the only flying display.

2010 saw a very low turnout with no, USAF, French or NATO. Just RAAF, Thai and RSAF. I think there may have been some personel involved on the ground but no real hardware aircraft wise. The lead-up to the exercises are good too. Fed-Ex, North American, World and Omni, just to name a few, often do runs before and after bringing people and other bits and pieces to the north.

[Stuart J]

Open Day confirmed 11th August on the RAAF website. F15, F16s, SU-30 etc on static display.