Central Coast photographer Allan Cooper was recently invited to attend the unveiling of one of his photographs at the Fighter World aviation museum in Newcastle.
The image of Australia’s new frontline fighter, the F-35 Lightning ll, was captured during the final closing display at the Warnervale Airshow in May 2022 and is now on display at Fighter World, the RAAF’s Williamtown Aviation Heritage Centre.
Cooper was joined at the unveiling by display pilot Flight Lieutenant Ross Bowman, call sign “Bunga“, who was flying the aircraft on the day, and senior management of Fighter World.
Beside the photograph are technical details relating to the capture of the image and an outline of Cooper’s previous coverage of air shows; each of the bi-annual Avalon International Airshows from 2013 to 2023, the Blue Angels US Navy aerobatic team in Seattle, the RAF’s 100th Festival of Flight Celebration at Biggin Hill UK in 2018 and many local airshows.
Fighter World is adjacent Williamtown’s Newcastle Airport, which is one of the two RAAF bases for Australia’s F-35 fleet of 72 jets.
The RAAF shares the airport runway with commercial airlines, which makes interesting viewing for visitors.
The Aviation Heritage Museum first opened in a wartime hut on the site in the early 1980s.
“The hut held small items of memorabilia, aircraft parts, uniforms and photographs, but had no room for the historic aircraft, which had to be left out in the open,” Cooper said.
“It soon became obvious that exposure to the elements was not a suitable option so when the opportunity arose the administrators took advantage of a Federal Government project, the Steel Regions Assistance Program, and successfully secured a grant of $500,000 for construction of the main hangar where the aircraft and other interesting exhibits are housed today.
“Having secured the building, further progress was provided with generous financial support from many corporate sponsors, the community and local RSLs.
“The centre, now a part of the RAAF, is self-supported by visitor entry fees and many volunteers.”
In 1989 the then Prime Minister Bob Hawke accepted the honorary position of Fighter World patron and said Fighter World was the only centre of its kind in the world.
“Fighter World pays tribute to Australia’s great pilots and the planes they flew, as well as demonstrating the latest advances,” Hawke said at the time.
“It relives the triumphs of the past and points the way to the future.
“Australia’s proud fighter role will be dramatically exhibited in the Fighter World display centre.”
Information specifically provided by F-35 maker Lockheed Martin through is displayed next to the photograph and outlines the aircraft’s capabilities.
“The F-35A Lightning II is the Australian Defence Force’s first fifth-generation air combat capability,” the information says.
“It is a highly advanced multi-role, supersonic, stealth fighter which brings a decisive advantage to the battlespace to defeat current and emerging threats.
“The F-35 is the world’s only fifth generation multi-role stealth fighter.
“Fifth generation capability is defined by the combination of very low observable stealth, advanced sensors, information fusion and network connectivity – all packaged within in a supersonic, long range, highly manoeuvrable fighter.
“More than a fighter jet, the F-35’s ability to collect, analyse and share data is a powerful force multiplier that enhances all airborne, surface and ground-based assets in the battlespace.”
Cooper joined the many museum visitors on the elevated viewing deck to watch RAAF aircraft and F-35 jets depart for flight training and exercises, then return.
“It’s a sobering thought that the thrill for the crowd could be quickly overshadowed by a call on these highly trained pilots to place their lives in harm’s way to defend the freedoms and democracy we enjoy here at home and in other countries around this currently troubled world,” he said.
Terry Collins