Vintage military aircraft, known as warbirds, will take flight this Anzac Day to provide an impressive flypast for commemorative services across the Bundaberg Region.
Local pilot Pete Marris will join this year’s formation in his Yak-52 aircraft.
“This year, Anzac Day flypast in the Bundaberg region is being provided by the Queensland Warbirds Vintage Aircraft Association with the formation of three Yak-52 aircraft, similar to this one here behind me,” Pete said.
“We’re going to have four aircraft in Bundaberg available, to be able to guarantee a minimum of three aircraft in each flypast at each location.
“If we can, we might put four up, but it’ll be a minimum of three aircraft in close formation for each of the flypasts.”
As a former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot, Pete said it was special to be taking part in the Anzac Day commemorations.
“This will be the first flypast I’ve done on Anzac Day so this will be a nice way to commemorate that for me,” he said.
“It’s that day of the year where we commemorate and acknowledge and pay our respects for all those before us, that paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Pete’s long career as a pilot started in his teens when he left school and joined the RAAF.
Since coming to Bundaberg in 1994, he has worked full time for LifeFlight Rescue Helicopter while also providing flights in his Yak-52 aircraft through his business Widebay Warbirds.
“I offer adventure flights to people in the region who want to experience what it’s like to sit in a warbird and fly in a warbird,” he said.
“Fly upside down, experience negative G, do combat manoeuvres.
“I cater for people as mild, moderate or extreme as they want, the idea is for them to have fun and enjoy it.”
Pete said he enjoyed flying the older aircraft due to the hands-on nature and lack of technology they offer.
“The Yak-52, they were built in Romania and used by Russians as a military pilot training aircraft in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
“And then when the Cold War ended, a lot of them were just parked in the paddock and then the Western world started to get their hands on them, and they were exported.
“They’re very popular aircraft for warbird enthusiasts in America, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa.
“This is hands on stuff where you get in there and you’re driving.
“Modern aircraft, there’s all these wizmo gadget things to help you out, autopilots and all that kind of stuff.
“[In the Yak-52], You’re a part of the machine and you’re flying it.”
The flypast will appear at Anzac Day services across the Bundaberg Region:
- Woodgate Beach Dawn Service
- Bargara Dawn Service
- South Kolan Dawn Service
- Bucca Dawn Service
- Rosedale Dawn Service
- Bundaberg Civic Service
- Gin Gin Civic Service
- Childers Citizens Service
- Buxton Memorial Service
- Elliott Heads Memorial Service
- Moore Park Beach Civic Service
- Burnett Heads Civic Service
For more information on Anzac Day services in the region, download the Anzac Day booklet from Bundaberg Regional Council’s website.
