10 "new" aircraft for the RNZAF

[Naki]

But they wont fly...........

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/576073...not-for-flying/

Wonder what will happen to the 47s and Devons....

[redkiwi]

I wonder if they still have the Strikemasters as instructional airframes? Not sure how relevant they are to any current types, though I guess the jet-turbine is still somewhat similar to the T56's on the Herks and Orions.

[Naki]

Yes I undersatnd that they do use Strikemasters

[deaneb]

QUOTE (Naki @ Aug 10 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes I undersatnd that they do use Strikemasters

Yep they certainly do - 4 strikes, 5 Devons, one Sioux (made from 3 crashed airframes and one Iroquois (ex desert attrition airframe) and one 727 (now outside).

QUOTE (redkiwi @ Aug 10 2009, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wonder if they still have the Strikemasters as instructional airframes? Not sure how relevant they are to any current types, though I guess the jet-turbine is still somewhat similar to the T56's on the Herks and Orions.

Unfortunately not even close - the strikemaster engine is very british and pretty hopeless to train on.

[Gavin Conroy]

Here is a shot I took early yesterday morning at Woodbourne of the first one arriving.
Special thanks to Mike for the heads up.

[2fst4u]

wow, what an unusual looking specimen. what is it about these that are similar to our current fleet? i presume they must be similar if they're going to be used for learning how to break and then make...

[deaneb]

QUOTE (2fst4u @ Aug 12 2009, 07:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wow, what an unusual looking specimen. what is it about these that are similar to our current fleet? i presume they must be similar if they're going to be used for learning how to break and then make...

I was an instructor at the training school 1998-2005 and helped initiate the replacement project. I put forward a case for a 727 to compliment the current fleet and also proposals to replace the Devons and Strikes as well. The latter was pretty "pie in the sky stuff" and I suggested using the Skyhawks - but this was a political no-no. So its pleasing to see the project evolve and now bear fruit !! There were several criteria suggested for instructional airframes. Primarily , american hardward and fittings, twin engine, turboprop more modern avionic etc, etc. Basically a whole raft of things which allow students to use tools and manuals and apply them in a situation that more closely matches the RNZAF's current fleet as opposed to 1940's era Devons and 1960's era Stikemasters which are very limiting. They also need to be of a size that can fit in the hangar and can easily be ground handled. The big problem is looking around and finding something available and within budget (approx $4 million) - thats the hardest bit.

[redkiwi]

Will be interesting to see what the MU-2 looks like in RNZAF colours... I'm assuming S&S will be getting to play with them too?

[ardypilot]

So will these new aircraft be flying at all, or purley ground based? I can't understand why they'd spend millions buying airworthy Seasprites just to keep them grounded?

[deaneb]

QUOTE (Trolly @ Aug 13 2009, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So will these new aircraft be flying at all, or purley ground based? I can't understand why they'd spend millions buying airworthy Seasprites just to keep them grounded?

Yes they will be ground based. Not sure about the airworthiness of the Sprites - we are talking a few hundred thousand dollars per aircaft, plus spares, support equipment etc, so although the Sprites come from the desert are potentially airworth, an awful lot of money would need to be spent to make them so. You need to understand the cost of operating a fleet airworthy military aircraft runs into hundreds of Millions !! Seriously big money. Look at the NH90 project - $700 million plus for 8 copters !!

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (deaneb @ Aug 13 2009, 04:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

- $700 million plus for 8 copters !!

about the same they spend for 8 politian,s air travel a year .... their moto is ' your money is my money and my money is my money '

[Gavin Conroy]

Here are a few more photos of the aicraft.
Sorry they are a bit late but it has been one of those weeks.

[benwynn]

Funny looking plane, reminds me of a Twotter.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (benwynn @ Aug 14 2009, 10:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Funny looking plane, reminds me of a Twotter.

a twotter , the plane the go backwards while flying forwards were as this , a little pocket rocket ...... just park em up beside the Skyhawks , and make em look useful .. and well ! with the melee of ground crew training will make the A4's look like they are doing something

[shotgun]

Can't wait fir the NH-90's thought.
Im enlisting in 2011

[benwynn]

Im delighted that your so intersted in the NH-90, considering your signature.

Helicopters can't actually fly. Their just so ugly that the world repels them.

[A185F]

QUOTE (deaneb @ Aug 13 2009, 03:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes they will be ground based.

And the best base for them !! The little rice rocket has a pretty dark history when it comes to flying. Many a people have been killed due to their disagreements with Ice. In Australia I believe they had an amendment to thir type cirtificate to not allow them to carry passengers. Could be wrong though, just what I heard. There arent many of them there anyway. I think there is one registered in NZ ??

[redkiwi]

QUOTE (A185F @ Aug 16 2009, 09:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think there is one registered in NZ ??

From what I heard I mate of mine is flying that out of Tauranga as an air ambulance. When his mother said it was a Mitsubishi MU-2 all I said was "lucky him".

[squirrel350]

ZK-KOH is actually based in Hamilton and runs as the Waikato Air Ambulance it does the long distance work and the stuff the Bell can't.

ZK-KOH


ZK-KOH Interior - 2x Stretchered Patients


ZK-KOH Head On


SQ