Iroquois reaching end of their life

[HamiltonWest]

Iroquois reaching end of their life
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news...d-of-their-life

[Ian Warren]

Funny mentioned the run from Christchurch to Kaipoi was the first time just recent, I saw the UH, I was more interested with the Bell 47 , to many 'SKIPPY' watch's when growing up

[HamiltonWest]

RNZAF Iroquois helicopters to be phased out 2015
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programm...o-be-phased-out
According to Comments Section RNZAF Facebook Due to Retire May 2015
When is the Huey officially retired? Haven't seen one for ages in Invercargill, but when I do, I stop what I'm doing!
Royal New Zealand Air Force: Huey retires in May
Under Post a Force for good
https://www.facebook.com/RoyalNewZealan ... M5YTgyZCJ9

[Ian Warren]

2015 , .. Be interesting to hear how they go , sold off to the who's , they were well looked after so no shortage off buyers.

[HamiltonWest]

Aviation enthusiasts flock to Wairarapa (1:38)
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/aviation-e...a-video-6219526

[Ian Warren]

Sure we will see them again with the Historical Flight ... .... lets just hope they keep authentic paints.

[chopper_nut]

The Iroquois is far from the end of its useful life, the number of them in civilian hands proves that but it's probably time for the military to move onto something else.

[Ian Warren]

I would have to say say they would be in an immaculate condition, simply look at the start procedure and follow thru .. would not be a shortage of buyers.

[chopper_nut]

They're UH-1s not Bell 205s. I'm not sure they will be allowed to sell them to private buyers.

[Ian Warren]

I'm very sure that would not be an issue, be ideal for SAR groups.

[chopper_nut]

It was the same when they got rid of the M113s. Weren't allowed to sell them off to collectors. Not many places that will accept single engined machines for SAR anymore. It's rubbish really, single engined machines are just as safe as twins, in fact, you have twice as many things to go wrong in a twin.

[Ian Warren]

Interesting with the M113s, no real tactical value , hells .. they were so worried about there lack of defence/armour going to Timor , so strange in the MOD thinking , think a lesson should start being learned rather the 'Clark & Key' dropkicks who cannot broker a deal.

[chopper_nut]

I think it's the US State Department that makes these ridiculous decisions. As dumb as the Labour govt was / is, their hands were a bit ties when they made the decision to scrap half our military history.

[Ian Warren]

One off these days it will seriously bite them in the butt, lack of resource cannot be simply replaced nor the intelligence which appears to be something that happens to often lacking with polydicks.

[SUBS17]

Those UH1s did a good run though as the Air Force got a lot of value for money with them, pity to see them go but the NH90s look awesome so its a decent aircraft to replace them with.

[chopper_nut]

My only issue with the NH90 is that it is an 'A' model. Never buy an A model. The Germans have learned that

[Ian Warren]

I guess the same could be said for the Sprites, well proven airframes since 1959 , our new only 20 back - for naval tasks and by compare relatively compared to a Huey, our NHs were dang later so maybe some off the issues have been address, reed a lot of controversy over the earlier, the whats and what they can't do so maybe these problems could have been ironed out ?

[HamiltonWest]

Choppering Out
http://tvnz.co.nz/seven-sharp/choppering-video-6236149

[Ian Warren]

Wonder if they would be heading down to Christchurch to take the Vets here for a ride ?

[HamiltonWest]

Iroquois bows out in style
http://www.tenone.police.govt.nz/tenone ... ional4.htm