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Post by Ykato on Apr 21, 2011 22:29:05 GMT 12
Arrival Of The Rnzaf P3k2 Orion The Royal New Zealand Air Force will welcome back to New Zealand the first of six P-3K2 (formerly P3) Orion maritime patrol aircraft at Auckland (Whenuapai) Air Force Base on Saturday 23 April 2011. Full Item Here: www.voxy.co.nz/national/arrival-rnzaf-p3k2-orion/5/88462
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Post by beagle on Apr 21, 2011 22:33:10 GMT 12
take it no other 5 sqn flying after lunch to organise happy hour for later in day. No legacy to escort it in ??
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Post by Ykato on May 2, 2011 13:38:06 GMT 12
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Post by kiwiscanfly on May 2, 2011 19:20:42 GMT 12
Nice new kit for the Air Force there, I read also that there is the possibility with the new upgrade that they will fit a stand-off missile/weapon after it is operational
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Post by beagle on May 2, 2011 19:22:34 GMT 12
Like projects worlwide, way over due
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Post by skyhawkdon on May 2, 2011 19:30:44 GMT 12
As the prototype is overdue a Group servicing at Woodbourne the OT&E won't start until later in the year... so we are still at least a year away from having an operational platform. It must be highly frustrating for all the guys and gals on 5 Squadron...
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 2, 2011 20:03:35 GMT 12
Think of the word 'overdue' as another way of saying 'life extension programme'. ;D
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Post by Peter Lewis on May 4, 2011 21:32:43 GMT 12
NZ4204 safely home, 24Apr2011
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Post by beagle on May 4, 2011 21:42:56 GMT 12
A few new antenna on the top of the fuselage plus a big one underneath forward of the galley area
Props need some paint
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Post by flyjoe180 on May 4, 2011 21:51:35 GMT 12
Out of interest, how many airframe hours would these aircraft have done now?
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Post by Peter Lewis on May 4, 2011 22:14:31 GMT 12
Don't know current figures, but reported as at Jan2004 - 7 years ago:
NZ4201 18,780
NZ4202 19,499
NZ4203 20,002
NZ4204 17,920
NZ4205 19,247
NZ4206 15,188
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Post by flyjoe180 on May 4, 2011 22:16:09 GMT 12
Thanks Peter, lower than I thought they might have been, even in 2004.
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Post by sqwark2k on May 4, 2011 22:53:54 GMT 12
less than a Airwork metro for sure....
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Post by dav3469 on May 5, 2011 16:46:13 GMT 12
A quick question about the RNZAF P3's. Are they able to mount sidewinders for self defense? I remember years ago you would see pics/commentary about the USN P3's with sidewinders for use as a last desperate measure of self defense.
Just wondering if they had ever been mounted/tested/mocked-up that way in other places.
Don't know how useful they would be, but guess it could provide a little bit of security.
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Post by beagle on May 5, 2011 17:30:40 GMT 12
Not sure how much re wiring was done on this upgrade compared with say the herk as the wings were not removed etc, but I take it they must have done some wiring for future use to the outer wing stations during Project Kestrel. I have been on board when we dd high speed dropping trials back in '89 and pretty sure I have seen images showing all 4 out board stations loaded with hard bombs but not sidewinders. As a question for Don, were the 339's able to fire them. ?
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 5, 2011 18:11:19 GMT 12
I think it is great that we have the same old Orions being upgraded again ratehr than buying replacements. They are legendary, they are kiwi icons and they have saved so many lives of New Zealanders and people abroad. They are totally classic and culturally important aircraft.
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Post by beagle on May 5, 2011 18:41:54 GMT 12
oh yes I too think they are just fantastic machines, long range, great at air shows, sound brilliant on high speed passes, make good roasts down the back end, but just wondering the economics of operating 4 1950's technology avtur guzzlers compared with a few 2011 fadec leapx advanced turbofans...
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Post by flyjoe180 on May 5, 2011 20:54:50 GMT 12
How about some nice shiny new P8's? Nice.
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Post by beagle on May 5, 2011 21:13:41 GMT 12
thats what I was meaning. surely it is more economical to run 2 modern turbofans agains 4 old turbo props. Old saying though, 4 engines is better than 2. Wonder how the Japanese are getting on with their 4 turbo fanned development of the P3.
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Post by McFly on May 6, 2011 18:47:35 GMT 12
A few of the officially released photos of what the upgrade looks like from the inside. The secret bits aren't included The flight deck now And before Tac rail now And before Now Before Last one (RNZAF Official)
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