Our Aermacchis

[kiwi]

Did our Aermacchis only ever have one colour scheme ? Were they all capable of carrying the same external weapons , tanks etc ?

[beagle]

yep, just the one scheme from start to finish.
I think they did a European 1 scheme on 1 at 4TTS, or it might have been a blunty.
there was an image on here a while ago.
and I presume they were all the same configuration for external attachments.

[Dave Homewood]

You are thinking of a Strikemaster there Beagle. No Macchis made it to No. 4TTS.

There was actually a slight variation in markings over time I believe, the addition at some point of the No. 14 Squadron black and white diamond emblem.

[beagle]

I thought he was asking about the actual scheme not the markings

[skyhawkdon]

Correct, they carried the same "Euro" camo scheme right through (and still do). None were ever stripped and repainted to my knowledge, just the odd touch up done. External stores were limited to drop tanks, SULCs, gun pods, smoke tanks/generator pods, LAU-5002 6-shot rocket pod and the combined practice rocket and bomb dispenser (2 x rockets and 4 x practice bombs from memory). Other weapons were fitted for display purposes (AIM-9L, AGM-65, MK82 bombs) but they never flew in RNZAF service with any of them.

www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/pages/339ohk3.html

Good photo of smoke generating pods in use here. www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/pages/w01mac78.html

We only had 4 of these pods from memory. Only one aircraft (NZ6460) was plumbed and wired for the proper Aermacchi factory smoke generating system.

[kiwi]

I should have included markings , thanks for the replies so far . Some where I seem to recall being told that only some of them were wired ? for some of the weaponry ? Am I correct ?

[skyhawkdon]

The aircraft were actually wired for most of these weapons, but we didn't buy the necessary avionics hardware and software to integrate them. Also, while the aircraft could in theory carry a whole lot of different weapons (as per Aermacchi's glossy brochures), most weren't certified for the 339. If we wanted to carry any of them we would have had to pay for the stores clearance trials. We did look into this but it quickly became apparent we would have had to fork out a lot of money to Aermacchi at a time when there just wasn't any money available (the 1990s were pretty tight times financially for the RNZAF).

[Dave Homewood]

Then they got worse....

[kiwiinoz]

I was in the tank bay, we had 1 set of smoke tanks with no publications on them, tried and tried to get some.
That photo of 6370 shows smoke from the tanks, while I was "in" our set pumped it to the jet pipe just like the A4

[Barnsey]

The Macchi carried the MULC, not the SULC - pretty sure they were different pods. However, I believe the Macchi Underwing Luggage Container was in fact the same pods as made for the Strikemaster (as pictured on an earlier thread), as I remember the tray and door system.

[edit] in hindsight I am probably talking out my proverbial! During my time on the A4, we never used the SULC, as an overnight bag would usually go in the pannier bag that fitted in the hell-hole. It was probably all a naming thing for the new aircraft at the time: what was the Strikemaster Underwing Luggage Pod was renamed the MULC.

[skyhawkfan1]

I wonder if Drakken's recent purchase of 25 Mig-21's means they might release/give away a Macchi or Skyhawk (or both!) back to NZ that we could fly...dreams are free .... lol

[nzjet]

I think u will find its 28 L-159's
I spoke to draken a while ago about helping a nz aermacchi project, A big no was the answer.

[baronbeeza]

www.defenseindustrydaily.com/czech-l-159s-cheap-to-good-home-03494/

theaviationist.com/2013/10/03/mig-21-eglin/

[beagle]

Jan 2/14: Approved. The Czech government approves the sale of 28 L-159s to US training firm Draken International (q.v. Nov 29/13), and releases details. The sale breaks down as 24 intact aircraft, plus 4 broken down for use as spares. Draken will have to pay Aero Vodochody for any work involved in restoration to operational condition, and the price will fall somewhere between $21.72 – $25.8 million, depending on the condition of the 24 planes.

The Czech government touts this as a good deal, and cites a 2012 public tender for 8 planes whose highest offer was just 1/3 as much per plane. Technically, legalities mean that the buy is being conducted through Aero, which isn’t receiving a commission for its role but can expect support contracts. Another 8 L-159s are left in Czech storage as immediate delivery options, and Aero Vodochody has suggested that the Draken deal could boost the L-159′s export potential in Latin America. The firm wants to stay in the military jet business:




The Lakeland, FL firm owns the largest fleet of privately owned tactical aircraft in the world, and already operates 5 L-39s alongside 23 ex-Polish external link MiG-21bis/UM external link supersonic fighters, 11 ex-RNZAF external link A-4K Skyhawks external link (modernized to F-16 MLU equivalent interior), and 9 ex-RNZAF MB-339CB external link trainers. The MiG-21s offer unique capabilities, but 28 L-159s could make the L-139s, MB-339CBs, and even the A-4Ks expendable. That would allow the firm to sell its spares inventories and/or airframes, while consolidating support costs onto a newer and more economical platform. An L-159 buy could also serve as the catalyst for a firm expansion, as all of Draken’s inventory is new. The firm only began flying fighters in April 2013 external link. Sources: Aero Vodochody, “L-159 sale under negotiations” | Czech MoD, “Tiskova konference ministra obrany”.

[skyhawkfan1]

"but 28 L-159s could make the L-139s, MB-339CBs, and even the A-4Ks expendable."   .... interesting....

[skyhawkfan1]

Feb 7, 2014 16:00:24 GMT 12 nzjet said:

I think u will find its 28 L-159's
I spoke to draken a while ago about helping a nz aermacchi project, A big no was the answer.

Cool, given the 28 L159's then maybe now it could be a 'maybe'  :-)

[beagle]

Someone could buy back all the 339's for around the million and start a private advanced flying training school.
Powerball didn't get struck on sat night

[Dave Homewood]

There seem to be a few fantasists in this thread.

[beagle]

well, if they were to dispose of them and at a similar price to what he paid for them, then I think there would be a few kiwis that could afford to buy them.

[fergi]

They will cost a lot more Beags as they are now airworthy!!!!