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Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 16, 2006 17:22:17 GMT 12
From the Belgian Historical Aviation Society: Hello all, According to www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/News/news_2006_3.htmHS Andover C1 "9Q-CDY" ex RNZAF "NZ7623" and ex RAF "XS604" c/n 11, (formerly?) owned by Eureka Aviation, has been moved from Antwerp Deurne Airport to the "Provinciaal Instituut voor Brandweer en Ambulanciersopleidingen" in Ranst, Belgium. This can be translated as "Provincial Institute for fire-fighting and ambulance personnel training Centre". If you look at the picture at www.viper16.fotopic.net/p34046772.html , which shows her at Antwerp Deurne Airport on the evening of Thursday the 14th of September, before she was transported, I guess it doesn't take a scientist to figure out what her likely ultimate fate will be at the "Provincial Institute for firefighting etc"... Here she is depicted while she left the airport: www.viper16.fotopic.net/p34054223.htmlRegards Erik Jan Hartman
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Post by Bruce on Sept 16, 2006 18:45:45 GMT 12
Nowdays very few aircraft are actually burnt during fire training. The cost of replacing them and environmental issues means that the fire sections are much more likely to keep them intact (or at least partly) so the Andover may be around for a while yet. Fire training hulks generally are stripped of anything useful, but rough seating is usually mocked up inside and some form of smoke generating mechanism is used to fill them up with smoke. One of my old CityJet charges, Bandeirante ZK-TZL is used in this manner at Hamilton, a gulfstream 1 is at Auckland, Whenuapai has an Andover, Wellington has a Metroliner fuselage. All have been around for quite a while now. I dont mind this though as it will help fire crews be better prepared for a real emergency, and the lives that may be saved would be worth many times more than an old worn out airframe.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 5, 2006 13:24:34 GMT 12
I have just discovered this thread that was posted while I was away. What a very sad end to a proud RNZAF workhorse. Slowly but surely our Andovers are disappearing one by one.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 5, 2006 13:32:33 GMT 12
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Post by flyjoe180 on Dec 5, 2006 15:15:39 GMT 12
Looks like a movie set doesnt it.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 5, 2006 21:10:22 GMT 12
It could be a movie set I suppose. The plane looked more happy disassembled and on the truck than like that on its belly.
Of our ten Andovers, which gave the RAF and then us valiant and safe service, sadly several have met their doom: NZ7620 - reported crashed in Democratic Republic of Congo in early 2003 NZ7621 - Grounded at RNZAF Museum, outdoors but safe NZ7622 - crashed at Rumbek airstrip in the Southern Sudan NZ7623 - fire school in Belgium as detailed above NZ7624 - fuselage only survives as fire trainer at Whenuapai NZ7625 - reportedly with 748 Air Services, but stored at Lokichoggio NZ7626 - reportedly flyong still, now 3D-MKX with operator Malu Avn NZ7627 - reportedly with 748 Services, status unknown NZ7628 - unsure of current whereabouts, maybe Lanseria NZ7629 - unsure of current whereabouts, maybe Lanseria
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