RNZAF Iroquois Fleet Now Available

[Dave Homewood]

This has been sent to me:

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) invites tenders from prospective purchasers for the remaining Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Iroquois fleet and associated holdings, which is referred to as the ‘Iroquois package’. The Iroquois package is to be sold on an ‘as is, where is’ basis without any warranty as to fitness for purpose or airworthiness in their current state.

The Tender is available on NZDF's ‘SmartProcure’ website nzdf.bravosolution.com . Tenderers must log on to access the tender and submit a response. Registration is simple and free, just click "Register Now".

If you require assistance by email, this is available by email to: [e-mail].

All enquiries regarding this tender must be in writing through NZDF's SmartProcure message system. NZDF will endeavour to respond in writing to written enquires within four working days.

[ZacYates]

Package? Damn! I was really hoping they'd be offered individually, I was keen on one.

That's disappointing. Hopefully someone gets the lot and gives them a worthy home.

[area51]

Both NZ3814 and NZ3815 still at work. They arrived at the Papakura Army Camp just after 1400 today and after briefly touching down at the east end of the facility they hover taxiied to and shut down at the western end.

[Dave Homewood]

May 30th is the fleet's retirement date.

[nzjet]

No doubt will be given away for a song

[phil]

Reminds me of bidding for ex base welfare items.

Should put in a bid for $50!

[corsairarm]

Are none going to museums then?

[Dave Homewood]

Depends if the museums bid I guess

[area51]

Thanks for the date Dave. Both out flying in the dark of night with no visible lights keeping the neighbours awake in Papakura!

[Dave Homewood]

Cool. Used to happen all the time when I lived at RNZAF Base Hobsonville.

[ZacYates]

There's a story on Stuff today: www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/67920149/NZDF-selling-10-remaining-Iroquois-as-is

Some quotes I've plucked out to address points raised in the thread:

"Of the 10 for sale, four were in long term storage, and the other six would remain in active use until their planned retirement on July 1. The NZDF was looking to sell the 10 helicopters as a package to one purchaser for ease of transaction."

"Partial bids for the Iroquois would also be considered if that represented best value to the Crown."

"In addition to the sale, and subject to State Department approval, four complete airframes would be donated to museums in New Zealand "to recognise and preserve the long history of this important aircraft type.""

So yes four are going to museums - place your bets (MOTAT, Ashburton, Tauranga and...?) - but the rest are first being offered as a lot, which means my plan of a Hundred-Dollar Huey has to wait.

[ErrolC]

Wigram?
Am I right in remembering a Huey-shaped object at Waiouru already?

[keroburner]

These days, to be completely fair, they almost need to reserve at least 10 for local museums. Why not place some in facilities including Ferrymead, Omaka, Ardmore Warbirds, Gisborne, Devonport, Ohakea Spitfire hangar etc
Anyone who thinks the above mentioned museums aren't up to speed for one, a huey would only improve them.

There would hardly be an inch of kiwi sky they haven't flown in during their service.

[Dave Homewood]

Waiouru has the front quarter of an Iroquois, not a complete aircraft, and it may well be fake.

Wigram has one already which came from overseas but it might be nice to see a genuine example replace it and see the non-RNZAF one go to another museum perhaps.

Even if the package of ten sell to one buyer, that buyer may then sell them on individually, as with what happened to the Harvards. Sadly that would likely bump the price up, and as the Iroquois are still a great and desirable workhorse helicopter I doubt they'd go for cheap money if that happened.

One thing seems certain, the Historic Flight won't be keeping any...

[ZacYates]

Apr 24, 2015 13:21:00 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

One thing seems certain, the Historic Flight won't be keeping any...

That seems especially sad to me. The Iroquois are a part of the Kiwi landscape - dare I say culture? - so hopefully one eventually shows up on the airshow scene. Even in the UK they have one operating as a "warbird", so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I had thought about Wigram as one of the four museums...we shall see. Anyone keen to pony up for a WONZ Squadron of Hueys?

[Dave Homewood]

When you consider how much money it would cost to keep aircrew and maintenance crew current on the Iroquois, not to mention hangarage, spare parts, etc, for what would amount to a very small number of hours per year, the Historic Flight idea simply doesn't seem viable unless a benefactor came along and dropped them a large amount of cash. The RNZAF is already struggling badly with lack of cash and personnel, so I really don't see any of either being diverted to the Historic Flight for the Iroquois, sadly.

[delticman]

Zac, you lucky chap, just go to Eltham and look over the fence. Here in Wanganui, I miss them, it was just wack wack wack and gone but these NH90's just drone on forever, even at night they drown out the trains.

[tbf25o4]

Most of those currently retired had reached the point with each airframe requiring a phase servicing, so any new owner would need to undertake this reasonably expensive servicing before
they could fly again. Additionally several of the aircraft have been 'Christmas treed' to keep the others flying, so time expired components may be on some of the frames.
Will be interesting to see if the State Department takes as long as the A4 process in allowing these 'Weapons of War' to be sold off

[frankly]

There shouldn't be anything on the aircraft they'd be concerned about. Unlike the radar in the A4s. The VHF/UHF coms suite will be removed. I'm fairly sure the NVG upgrade was COTS.

[Dave Homewood]

What does COTS stand for Frankly?