IT WAS a celebration of all things aviation in Tamworth at the weekend as the city paid tribute to its rich flying history.
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Community members gathered at the Tamworth Cemetery for a service commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF) Central Flying School.
The Tamworth Aeroclub also hosted an aviation heritage expo which offered locals a chance to view historic memorabilia and displays.
Members of the public were treated to tours around the city’s airport and were able to get an up-close look at RAAF aircraft.
The memorial service was held adjacent to the graves of four CFS airmen who were killed in two separate flying accidents in 1942.
It begin with a "four ship" CT-4 fly over by the Basic Flying Training School.
The service attendees included Tamworth Aero Club members, veterans, members of the public and student pilots representing the three military services Army, Navy and Air Force.
Aero Club president Adele Mazoudier said she was impressed with the turn out on the day, with a busy weekend in Tamworth.
“We had a good roll up of people at the club who were wondering in through the day, reading about things and then having a look at the Vampire,” She said.
“We were also very grateful to the staff at the Australian Defense Force, particularly the RAAF.”
Ms Mazoudier said there many locals who were surprised at the extent of the city’s aviation culture and left feeling enlightened by what they had found.
“A lot of people said they had no idea about the extent of the Aero Cub links to the ADF,” she said.
“I think it ticks something in our imagination.
‘When we look up and see a machine up in the sky, how it can get up there and how it can stay there.
“It is still amazing to me.”
Ms Mazoudier said the links between the Defence Force and the city were strong.
“We see the young pilots come into the club from their basic flying training to flying in the Middle East,” she said.
“All the pilots who are flying there, in places such as Iraq and Syria were trained in Tamworth.
“They have walked the pavement of Peel St, and for awhile, Tamworth was home to all of them.
“If that doesn’t mean we have got strong links with the ADF, I don’t know what does.”