Almost 200,000 people attended this year's Australian International Airshow 99 at Avalon, south of Melbourne, proving that the popularity of airshows in this country is almost as strong as elsewhere. However, modern airshows on such a grand scale, although attracting large, money-spending crowds, could hardly be mounted were it not for the behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing of big business. The two days and one fire-filled night of wing-walking, soaring, swooping and general public showing off at Airshow 99 were simply the climax to a week of big business as the giants of the aviation industry wooed politicians, decision-makers and military and industry leaders.

472 exhibitors from 26 countries flocked to Avalon, hoping to sell everything from nuts and bolts to billion dollar aircraft fleets.

With several large defence contracts like Air 87, Wedgetail and Caribou replacement up for grabs in the near future and the eventual replacement of the F/A-18 and F-111 in mind, the opportunity to hawk wares was too good to pass up.

Airshow 99 was the perfect place for all parties to come together on neutral ground.

Trade exhibits, while geared towards those with big bucks to spend, caught more than a cursory glance from mister and misses Joe public and their 2.3 children, while the plethora of posters, stickers, calendars and other attractive giveaways will decorate kid's bedrooms for years to come. However, the main attraction, as the name suggests, was the spectacle in the sky.

Friday night was the first of the open-to-the-public aspects of the week's activities. Airshows Downunder boast of being the only major airshow in the world to stage a night spectacular.

It may be hard to imagine how three hours of darkness could be filled with night-flying that is visible to the public, let alone entertaining. But, the innovative and imaginative addition of pyrotechnics to the extremities of everything from parachutes to gliders and the famous dump and burn by an RAAF F111 soon allayed any doubts.

Sentimental favorite with young and old alike was Connie, the Lockheed Super Constellation registered VH-EAG. Streaking blue flame from the exhausts of her four Curtis-Wright engines, the venerable aircraft inspired the crowd, whether or not they were old enough to remember the heyday of this aircraft type flying with QANTAS.

Relying solely on volunteer labour and donated cash, the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society took Connie under their wing (pun intended) for restoration and delivery to Australia. More than 10,000 man-hours of TLC later, saw her arrival in Sydney in early 1996 to occupy a special place in the hearts of aviation buffs, young and old.

Saturday, and day two of public displays, saw upwards of 60,000 people ranged along the center section of Avalon's 3000m runway for another bombardment of sight and sound. Every taste was catered for. From the graceful aerial ballet of Manfred Radius in his H101 Salto glider to the ear-splitting roar of military jets.

Eddie Andreini, an aerobatics ace with more than 30 years experience, made his very-welcome Australian debut in a vintage Boeing Stearman, teamed with wing-walker Anders Brandi. The pair put on a heart-stopping display reminiscent of the heydays of post WWI barnstorming America. After a display involving Brandi assuming various positions under, over and between the Stearman's twin wings, Andreini completed the routine (with Brandi in a more conventional interior location) by using those same wings to cut two streamers suspended just 3m from the ground - while flying inverted. Not to be outdone, Manfred Radius later completed the same manoeuvre in his glider.

Popular with all but those blessed with sensitive hearing, the power of military jets never ceases to impress even the seasoned air buff. Airshow 99 boasted the largest and most diverse gathering of military hardware since the Bicentennial Airshow in 1988 and even then scored one or two runs on the board over the Richmond show. Most notably was the ground presence of an American B-52 bomber, poised for action on the end of the taxiway.

With its mouth gaping wide, the C5 Galaxy's cavernous interior was open to public inspection, as was its flight deck high above the madding crowd, offering a short respite from the mid-day sun. Few other aircraft can match the Galaxy for sheer size and jaw-dropping statistics. Its cargo bay is longer than the Wright brother's first flight, large enough to accommodate six Apache helicopters. Or, for those unsure of that yardstick, as long as a football field and wide enough for an eight-lane bowling ally. Its capacious appetite for fuel outweighs the cargo capacity of eight new C130-J Hercules.

Ranged along the northern apron of the airfield was more military might than the average person could hope to see in a lifetime. Beyond the RedHawk, SuperCobra and Apache attack helicopters stood a neat line of F15, F16 and F/A-18 fighter aircraft, two by two, shimmering in the hot summer sun.

Day three, Sunday, saw a similar-sized crowd treated to more of the same with one or two spectacular additions. A rare treat was to witness two thirsty F/A-18s from the RAAF's No. 3 Sqn plug into lifelines trailed from the wings of No. 33 Sqn's 707 aerial refueler for a low pass over the sun-drenched airfield-- a manoeuvre not normally seen below 20,000ft.