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Post by komata on Apr 29, 2017 9:22:23 GMT 12
I have recently been told that at least one RNZAF 'Freighter and a 'civi' example of same flew into Kaitaia, with the RNZAF aircraft apparently attending as part of an exercise. Unfortunately no time period has been given for these events.
As I can't find any details of these visits on this forum, does anyone have any details?
Thanks.
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Post by Bruce on Apr 29, 2017 10:49:54 GMT 12
Probably in support of the 75 Squadron deployment exercise in the 1950s
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Post by davidd on Apr 29, 2017 12:33:41 GMT 12
How about Exercise Calendar Page 70, believe held at Kaitaia November 1970? This involved 14 Squadron's two FAC Harvards, and presume 75 Sqn's Vampires. Bristol Freighters from 3 Sqdn almost certainly in attendance.
David D
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Post by komata on Apr 29, 2017 14:31:22 GMT 12
Bruce: Thank you.
davidd: Thank you too for your reply.
Some additional information in respect of the RNZAF B-170: Apparently an RNZAF fuel tanker was loaded on the RNZAF 'Freighter and when loaded constituted the 'Heaviest load carried by an RNZAF aircraft to that date'(whenever that date may have been).
Even allowing for hyperbole, the claim is an interesting one, and may help pinpoint the 'Exercise'(if that is what brought the 'Freighter to Kaitaia in the first place) more precisely.
Again, thank you both.
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Post by camtech on May 1, 2017 17:23:12 GMT 12
I believe also that on one or two occasions, B170s have landed there when returning from Norfolk Is and suffering problems.
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Post by Peter Lewis on May 1, 2017 18:44:31 GMT 12
That was the reason why Kaitaia was set up at the original scale.
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Post by thomas090 on Aug 22, 2017 16:12:34 GMT 12
I don't find any useful information now.
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Post by camtech on Sept 16, 2017 21:33:07 GMT 12
from the NZ Herald 10 July 1973:-
Flares help emergency fuel landing.
Bright ground flares lit up Kaitaia airport last night as an RNZAF Bristol Freighter landed to take on fuel.
The aircraft left Whenuapai on a routine "change-over" flight early yesterday afternoon, but was forced to turn back when strong cross-winds meant it could not take on fuel at Norfolk Island.
The Bristol did not carry enough fuel to reach Whenuapai and arrangements were made for it to land at Kaitaia - the northernmost airport in New Zealand - and take on 250 gallons of fuel.
Because the airport has no night flying facilities, the strip was lit by ground flares.
The aircraft landed without difficulty and reached Whenuapai shortly before 9.30 p.m. It will leave for Singapore this morning.
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