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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2012 18:01:31 GMT 12
What do you think has been the RNZAF's most important aircraft type since WWII, not just for defence but for the nation as a whole?
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Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 7, 2012 18:36:37 GMT 12
The Herc.
I've been everywhere, man - Awanui Wanganui Pauanui lot o' hooey. I've been everywhere, man . . .
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Post by shorty on Mar 7, 2012 18:36:40 GMT 12
Hell Dave, "others" covers a lot of aircraft, apart from the Vampire you've only listed the later types!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2012 19:12:34 GMT 12
Later types? They are all 40 years old and over!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2012 19:19:35 GMT 12
If you think that one of the many other types was more important Shorty, feel free to tick Other and write what it was.
I mean yes, there were Bristol Frieghters, Dakotas, Avengers, Harvards etc. If you feel strongly about a type, say why.
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Post by shorty on Mar 7, 2012 19:48:00 GMT 12
The Sunderland comes to mind for all it's mercy missions, especially around the islands.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2012 20:07:06 GMT 12
Though it is a hard choice, I chose the Iroquois, because of its variety of roles such as:
- troop insertion on the battlefield, and rapid removal from same
- battlefield medivac
- mountain search and rescue
- police manhunt operations
- police drug crop hunting
- aerial photography platform
- monsoon bucket work
- heavy haulage and precision insertion
- rescue work at sea
- anti-terrorist ops
- airshow display team and other vital public relations appearances
- VIP transport
And much more. Plus they're just so damned cool.
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Post by Luther Moore on Mar 7, 2012 20:45:28 GMT 12
Huey for sure! The icon of the Vietnam war.Slap a sharks mouth on it and it's one mean green looking machine.
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Post by fyl on Mar 7, 2012 20:55:46 GMT 12
Its a hard call... The Herc is up there, likewise the Sunderland, but I don't think they have the same impact that the Iroquois has.. Just the sheer versatility of it... ...ok, and the sound of it...  |
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Post by harvard1041 on Mar 8, 2012 3:59:20 GMT 12
A-4s.
Don't forget the most important word in RNZAF is 'Force' .... purpose of the RNZAF is to fly and to fight - trucking around 'stuff' in Hercs is good, as is lifting small loads in ancient warbird type helos... but nothing like the real business of delivering ordinance on target, providing air cover, deep interdiction ...
Since the demise of the A-4s - despite the best efforts of the good people in the RNZAF - I only see a shadow of it's former glory, morale, and capability.
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Post by sparrow on Mar 8, 2012 7:36:40 GMT 12
I chose the Iroquois,mainly for the reasons Dave mentioned.
All the aircraft mentioned performed a valuable role,but the Iroquois did it year in year out,and saved many lives. For example,how much ordnance did the A4 deliver to a target,other than training?
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Post by Calum on Mar 8, 2012 8:34:31 GMT 12
C-130
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Post by flyjoe180 on Mar 8, 2012 9:10:35 GMT 12
I'm in the Hercules camp too. Doing the business the world over.
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Post by beagle on Mar 8, 2012 9:27:50 GMT 12
how could i not say hercules
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2012 9:28:36 GMT 12
It is indeed a tough call. As well as the Iroquois I see the C-130 having helped tens of thousands of people in disaster relief and war zones over the four and a half decades they've been flying, not to mention their opening up international relations with places like China and Russia, etc.
The Orion has also saved countless people's lives, and has kept out fisheries industry and our conservation areas safe.
The Sunderland has done the same as the Orion.
The Avenger kicked off topdressing which has opened up NZ's agriculture, commerce and green image significantly.
The Bristol Freighter has done the things that the Hercules has done, and the Avenger, and has also been an interisland ferry during strikes.
The Skyhawk has only contributed to two areas, defence and public relations, but in both was hugely important. But the question was not just to defence but to NZ as a whole, so i don't think it can come close to some of these types.
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Post by beagle on Mar 8, 2012 9:29:02 GMT 12
hey, the dots went away, so i cannot secretly vote twice. boo hoo
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2012 11:06:35 GMT 12
Haha. I forgot to make it multi-vote, sorry. Maybe I should start it again with multi-vote and more options?
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Post by jonesy on Mar 8, 2012 11:29:33 GMT 12
Haha. I forgot to make it multi-vote, sorry. Maybe I should start it again with multi-vote and more options? Multi vote? Does that mean I can vote about 300 times and make the poll irrelevant?  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2012 14:03:41 GMT 12
I would actually like to change my vote from Hercules to Iroquois. I think the Iroquois has been more important to New Zealand, however the Herc has had a greater importance oversea's
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Post by beagle on Mar 8, 2012 14:24:59 GMT 12
too late bud, Herks got it won
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