Aviation buffs and curious onlookers alike on Tuesday got a sneak peek of what to expect at next month's Wings Over Illawarra air show, which will take to the skies on May 5.
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Lining the banks of Lake Illawarra at Koonawarra Point, hundreds gathered to see a 20-metre Catalina flying boat perform a spectacular touch and go.
The 1945 aircraft served as a US Navy aircraft during World War II and was commonly known by the RAAF as a Black Cat.
Right on noon, the imposing black aircraft approached from the north, gradually lowering until its wide, smooth belly touched down on the still blue water, skimming the surface.
Kicking off a blanket of spray, it coasted along the lake as hundreds of captivated onlookers took in the impressive spectacle, many with phones and cameras held aloft.
After its 300-metre water sprint, the Catalina rose from the lake surface and returned to the sky, circling eastwards before again approaching from the north to repeat the manoeuvre.
With a second touch and go under its wing, the aircraft faded into the distance to give one of the planes from Southern Biplane Adventures their moment to shine.
The bright red biplane twisted and spun in a series of barrel rolls, loop-the-loops, wingovers, cuban eights and four-point turns.
Marketing officer Andrew Musgrave said the display was a small taste of what spectators could expect on May 5.
Pilot Chris Clark can hit up to 4G when the aircraft is inverted, all with the wind flying through his hair in the open cockpit.
Kim Aubanel, visiting from Chichester in England, said she was thrilled to see the Catalina up close.
"It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant, I loved it," she said.
Visit woi.org.au for more information.
