Watts For Breakfast?? has become an eagerly anticipated event on the Watts Bridge Calendar, providing the reason (or excuse?) for recreational pilots to undertake a short flight to socialise with like minded folks (ie: tell a tall story or two), discuss technical and navigating matters and generally have a relaxing time. From the general public’s perspective, it is a good opportunity to better understand what is occurring in their community and get to go see a wide range of ex-military and general aviation aircraft in a safe and welcoming atmosphere.

This year, 2025, introduces an organisational initiative to the staging of Watts For Breakfast?? with an airfield Homebase Group (HBG) planning and conducting each event.  It is anticipated that HBG’s will highlight their “version” of aviation, promote their club or association and provide greater interest for everyone attending.

The Queensland Warbirds and Vintage Aeroplane Association (QWVAA) was the first HBG to accept the challenge!  They really got to work organising the attendance of several notable warbird aircraft including a P51 Mustang, a Spitfire MK VIII, a T28 Trojan, 2x CT4s and a Kittyhawk!!  On top of all that, there was a familiarisation flight in the P51 Mustang to be raffled on the day and adventure flights in the T28 Trojan were on offer. Promotion via social media,  the local radio station and the community newspaper promised good attendance for breakfast.

And so, down to business……  The SE Qld weather has been rather “iffy” lately, what with cyclones and slightly less threatening rain events. Sunday 23rd March, was no exception. It was just a grey old day, with plenty of clouds, showers on the coasts and the occasional spit on the field. Had it been a day or two on either side, there would have been a big non-event. So much for March being “Flying Season” in SEQ!   But no one was detered in the least with a wonderful contingent of at least 60 aircraft, probably more cause they can be hard to count, what with the comings and goings   And that’s not all by half. So many folks elected to drive to the field, no doubt to see what was going on, but also to get a great breakfast without having to do the washing up! In total, 204 meals were dispatched across the pass. That works out to approximately one meal every 40 seconds across a 2 hour service.  Not bad at all for volunteer cooks working on gas barbeques. And speaking of volunteers, didn’t the mower men and their elves have the field looking great??

The raffled P51D flight was drawn, won by an extremely enthusiastic young man who had been hanging out all morning to win it!!  He took the flight there and then with Cameron Rolph-Smith performing the pilotting honours. The ear-to-ear grin said it all – a lifetime memory for sure!!  By midday, all was done and dusted. Everyone had gone on their way and everything was packed up and stored away for yet another day.  And there will be another day in 2025 when a Homebase Group at Watts Bridge Memorial Airfield hosts another Watts For Breakfast??  Stay in tune with the Events Calander and Facebook for announcements and details.  CYA!

A big thank you to Plane Sales and IGA Toogoolawah for their generous support and sponsorship of this wonderful event!