Did RNZAF ever wanted the SP-2 Neptune?

[kiwirico]

Hello guys,

I was wondering if the RNZAF was ever close to buy (or loan) Lockheed (S)P-2 Neptunes? In several older books around Europe the RNZAF is
mentioned as a operator of the Neptune! My question is how come and is there any logic answer for this?

Thanks.

KiwiRico

[komata]

KiwiRico

I've seen this as well, and my understanding is that in fact the Neptune WAS offered to the RNZAF (as it was to Australia), but because of the pre-existing 'Imperial Preference' clauses which tied New Zealand to Great Britain and the Empire, this was quickly stomped-on in both Wellington and London, the Sunderland M.R.5 being taken instead. The Sunderland  was very much in line with the 'Buy British' ethos of the time and also (a) provided work for British Workers; and (b) enabled the British to flog-off some otherwise unusable airframes, which no-one else wanted and which were verifiably obsolescent. In substance it would seem that in this situation (as in many others), Wellington was effectively 'leaned' on.  

However (and FWIW), I have been told that the RNZAF's purchase of (then) very-advanced electronics for it's M.R.5's rocked a few individuals in London to the core, as they couldn't conceive that a bunch of colonials knew enough to obtain superior 'electrics' that were better than those that the RAF / FAA was using.  How dare they! Understandably, this purchase did NOT go down too well in Whitehall, and was seen by some as being a sort of 'up yours' from RNZAF HQ in Wellington to those who considered themselves 'superior' to the Kiwi's.

Australia, was not, of course, so 'attached' to 'Mummy', and with a 'world-view' that was far more realistic and 'Pacific-centred' than New Zealand's,  didn't suffer from the same 'affliction' and happily took the Neptune into its inventory.   The Neptune was a far superior, and much more modern aircraft than the Sunderland M.R.5, yet the fact that NZ's 'territory of influence' included vast areas of ocean and very, very few airfields would have also heavily-influenced the NZ Government decisions. That this may have been the case was. IMHO, reflected in the debate many years later when considering a Sunderland replacement. At that time, it was suggested in all seriousness, that the Shin Mewa PS-1 (an ASW-equipped, M.R. turbo-prop powered, amphibian) was a better option instead of the land-based Lockheed Orion. As we know, the Orion was the eventual choice, and has subsequently proven its worth DESPITE being unable to land on the sea. 

Hope that this helps; no doubt others can provide chapter and verse.

[tbf25o4]

There were other reasons for selecting the Sunderland, our responsibility to the South Pacific Islands as the "colonial" overseer for the UK made the drive for a flying boat a priority as there were few
airfields in the islands, and the need to carry administrators, and to provide medical and other emergency relief as part of our responsibility for the islanders drove the flying boat option.