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Post by Richard Wesley on Feb 25, 2010 2:43:16 GMT 12
Seeing news of the first flight of the A109 helicopters for the RNZAF I was wondering if anyone had heard any stories of what will happen with the handful (5?) Sioux helicopters when finally retired for good?
There is already one displayed at the RNZAF museum, but I would hope that there are a number of other museums and organisations around the country that could display/preserve the others.
I guess the list could include: Ohakea, Motat, Ferrymead, Warbirds, Ashburton...?
The same question could be posed for the 14 Iroquois?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 25, 2010 10:09:48 GMT 12
The RNZAF Historic Flight is apparently getting a Sioux and an Iroquois to keep flying so they will probably also take at least one other of type as an attritional airframe.
The Iroquois apparently still commands a high price on the market - I was told in November that even the one at Classic Flyers Museum in Tauranga which is a beaten up wreck compared with the RNZAF ones is about to leave to be sold by its owner to a commercial operator. However I noted it was still there at the recent airshow. I'd think that as they are so well maintained they'll be quite valuable on the market and will be sold off.
I don't know about the remaining Sioux though. It would be nice if one could go to the proposed Hobsonville musuem as they were based there for decades.
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Post by vs on Feb 25, 2010 11:18:29 GMT 12
Good to hear there is one in the airforce museum already...any pictures out there? I take it that it will be in the reserve collection hangar?
I also remember reading years ago that the Seasprite was going to have all the parts borrowed from it replaced? Be good to see it on some proper wheels.
The Historic Flight have become very active over the past few years which is great to see and a few more airframes will be good to see on the airshow circuit
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Post by tbf25o4 on Feb 25, 2010 15:06:17 GMT 12
Disposal of both types will be an interesting process as they were brought under
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) criteria which requires the State Department to approve of the disposals.
I would guess that apart from one that are legitimately retained by the RNZAF for historic purposes, the actual disposal could result in a lengthy "Skyhawk" sale process
Paul
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Post by beagle on Feb 25, 2010 15:30:10 GMT 12
I don't know about the remaining Sioux though. It would be nice if one could go to the proposed Hobsonville musuem as they were based there for decades. Hobsonville Musuem  ?? tell us more Dave |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 25, 2010 16:01:10 GMT 12
In the plans for the destruction of Hobsonville (which by the way has now begun) there were plans to create a museum to the former station/base in the old Headquarters building. That was as the plans went in 2008 anyway. I hope it goes ahead - it's the most historic airfield in NZ outside of the late Wigram.
I really hope the Iroquois and Sioux fleets don't end up chopped up like the M113 fleet was.
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Post by alanw on Feb 25, 2010 20:19:12 GMT 12
I noticed just recently when out at Hobby
that Yellow Restricted Area - Defense Force Boards have
been added to the main Flying Boat Hangar and the
old marine section.
Also interesting is the old wharf next to the marine section
has been re-opened to the public with a notice
from the "Base Commander" making the public
aware of possible dangers (tidal currents/swimming etc)
It would be so nice to save those two iconic buildings
(as well as other parts of Hobby)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 25, 2010 20:57:58 GMT 12
The plan I saw online a few years back Alan showed the wet apron area becoming all shops and yuppy Auckland cafes. Like most of the rest of the waterfornt up that way. The hangars were not in the plan then.
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Post by denysjones on Feb 26, 2010 20:53:55 GMT 12
The status of the disposal of both the Iroquois and Sioux fleets is that the govt has engaged a company called "The Asset Partnership Ltd" to look into the interests in the a/c and the values etc left in them versus said interests.
They are to report on disposal plans not as in give one to x and one to y etc but rather as to what best to do with the lot which may well end up saying something like "there are x that are so stuffed they aren't saleable so perhaps divvie them up amongst museums and y that have some value so flog them off" but definitely their brief is not to say who might get one if any. On the basis of this I am led to believe no definite assignments have yet been made of any but would be interested to have definite corroboration of such.
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Post by Richard Wesley on Mar 8, 2010 3:35:29 GMT 12
There is already one displayed at the RNZAF museum, but I would hope that there are a number of other museums and organisations around the country that could display/preserve the others. Having just checked my photo collection I thought I had better post and correct myself. I really thought there was one Sioux already with the RNZAF museum but seems (in my old age) I am getting my memory mixed up with the wasp and seasprite in storage? Sorry about that, all helicopters look the same to me  Didn't occur to me that there would be enough commercial value in either fleet to warrant selling anything, thanks for pointing that out. It makes sense as they are well maintained capable machines in airworthy condition.    And a couple from further north...   |
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