On a reasonably warm summer morning, 'Brad and Virls' found themselves once again perched at Shep’s Mound, one of Sydney Airport’s favorite spots for plane spotters. The air was abuzz with the chatter of fellow plunzels and the roar of jet engines, as we slummed around waiting for whatever was to turn up. Our primary aim for the day? To grab some shots of REX Airlines’ iconic Saab 340s—aging beauties that have served regional Australia faithfully but face an uncertain future.
The Saab 340 has a certain charm, with its sleek lines and nostalgic whirring props. We couldn’t help but feel a pang of sentimentality as we watched these planes come and go. Their days might be numbered, but they remain a steadfast workhorse for REX, and it was wonderful to witness them in action.
Sadly, they were landing from the north, so we were not able to photograph as many as we had hoped.
To be perfectly honest, and much to my regret, I have largely ignored these things in the past, preferring to aim the camera lens at the bigger, and more exciting, type planes.
Something I am sort of regretting now.
But it wasn’t all about the Saabs. Luck was on our side as we spotted a Garuda Indonesia Airbus A330 adorned in its stunning retro livery. The gleaming paintwork was a throwback to a bygone era, a striking contrast against the modern fleet surrounding it. Adding to the excitement, we managed to capture Finnair’s A330s currently operating for Qantas. Seeing these European birds flying under the Qantas banner was a treat I've long wanted to capture.
As far as aviation guff goes, it was a fun morning.
We hope you derive at least marginal pleasure frolicking through the photos below which represent some of what Brad N Virl saw passing by.
Please enjoy - or not - only you can make that decision.
Merry Christmas
For A Mountain Of Aviation & Other Guff - Click Here
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9M-MUD - Maskargo (Malaysia Airlines) - A330-200F
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
OH-LTR - Finnair (for QANTAS) - A330-300
Photo: Brad Peadon
OH-LTS - Finnair (for QANTAS) - A330-300
Photo: Brad Peadon
ZK-NNC - Air New Zealand - A321neo
Photo: Brad Peadon
ZK-NHD - Air New Zealand - A320neo
Photo: Brad Peadon
Virls partaking in a bit of plunzelling on Shep's Mound.
Photo: Brad Peadon
'Brad N Virls' during a quiet moment on The Mound.
Photo: Brad Peadon
PK-GHD - Garuda Indonesia - A330-300
1969 Retro Livery.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Shep's Mound is a popular plane-spotting location for families.
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-LQD - QANTASLink - Bombardier DHC-8-400
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-LQB - QANTASLink - Bombardier DHC-8-400
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-KRX - REX Airlines - Saab 340
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-IWY - Virgin Airlines - B737-800
VH-AMM - NSW Ambulance - Pilatus PC-24
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-YFZ - Virgin Airlines - B737-800
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below:
VH-X4D - QANTASLink - A220-300
My first 'decent' shot of one of these new aircraft.
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-VZU - QANTAS - B737-800
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-VGY - Jetstar - A320-200
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-VEQ - Link Airways - Saab 340
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-SBG - QANTASLink - De Havilland Canada DHC-8-300
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-RXX - REX Airlines - Saab 340
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-QOR - QANTASLink - Bombardier DHC-8-400
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-QOE - QANTASLink - Bombardier DHC-8-400
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-QOD - QANTASLink - Bombardier DHC-8-400
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-LQD - QANTASLink - Bombardier DHC-8-400
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-ZXS - REX Airlines - Saab 340
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-ZRB - REX Airlines - Saab 340
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-ZRB - REX Airlines - Saab 340
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-ZNF - QANTAS - B787-9 Dreamliner
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-YIE - Virgin Airlines - B737-800
Photo: Brad Peadon
VH-YIB - Virgin Airlines - B737-800
Photo: Brad Peadon
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The last two shots were taken along Ross Smith Avenue as we returned from our morning of plane spotting activity.
P4-IFD - Deer Jet - A319-100 ACJ
Originally with Comlux Malta in 2012.
To Deer Jet, part of the Hainan Airlines Group, in 2021.
Deer Jet specializes in luxury charter services.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Photo: Brad Peadon
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Thank You
The Famous Virls.
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Further Reading
For A Mountain Of Aviation & Other Guff - Click Here
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Love The Philippines - Click Here
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