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Post by planewriting on May 4, 2022 9:59:29 GMT 12
In the NZ increasing aid to Ukraine -incl. C130 to Ukraine aid thread (involving NZ7003) I asked if Hercules NZ7002 was still airworthy as I had not seen or recall hearing of it for a very long time. Yesterday I was at Woodbourne (Blenheim) and in the distance was a Hercules which performed an engine run up (possibly in excess of 20 minutes) then it was shut down and towed to the front of the hangars. To my surprise it was NZ7002 and was minus its rudder. Has this aircraft been out on heavy maintenance or is it simply that I haven't seen it for a long time? Comments anyone?
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Post by ZKaviation on May 9, 2022 18:44:08 GMT 12
In the NZ increasing aid to Ukraine -incl. C130 to Ukraine aid thread (involving NZ7003) I asked if Hercules NZ7002 was still airworthy as I had not seen or recall hearing of it for a very long time. Yesterday I was at Woodbourne (Blenheim) and in the distance was a Hercules which performed an engine run up (possibly in excess of 20 minutes) then it was shut down and towed to the front of the hangars. To my surprise it was NZ7002 and was minus its rudder. Has this aircraft been out on heavy maintenance or is it simply that I haven't seen it for a long time? Comments anyone? None of the C-130H's have been retired yet. |
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Post by camtech on May 9, 2022 19:32:21 GMT 12
Question answered - heavy maintenance.
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Post by planewriting on May 9, 2022 21:34:19 GMT 12
Thank you both for your responses. I suspected it had been out on overhaul with an engine run up being performed but with no rudder on the aircraft. Just it seemed quite a while since I had seen anything recorded on its situation.
An initial thought I had was that it had been pulled from service but with NZ7003 in Europe for a while NZ7002 may have been reinstated to keep up the numbers. Anyway, it's good none of those amazing workhorses have yet been retired after well over 50 years of service.
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Post by retiredav8r on May 13, 2022 13:42:23 GMT 12
Herc's alive and well, at 12-34 today had a flight of 3 do a flyby at Woodbourne. Still flying around under tracking tag TH01.
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Post by nige on May 14, 2022 12:54:31 GMT 12
Herc's alive and well, at 12-34 today had a flight of 3 do a flyby at Woodbourne. Still flying around under tracking tag TH01. Perhaps you were fortunate enough to also witness a USAF MC-130J?  "Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and U.S. Air Force (USAF) aircraft and personnel will combine to participate in day and nighttime flying exercises in New Zealand later this month. While in New Zealand, MC-130J aircraft and USAF personnel will train alongside RNZAF C-130 Hercules and personnel from No. 40 Squadron. The training will be based at RNZAF Base Auckland as well as RNZAF Base Woodbourne, near Blenheim, and is designed to maintain crew currency and improve interoperability between the two countries’ militaries." Link to US Embassy media release nz.usembassy.gov/u-s-air-force-participates-in-rnzaf-day-and-night-exercise/ Which also includes this YouTube video: PS I like the USAF Super Herc's colour scheme, wonder if the RNZAF's new C-130J's will adopt it (rather than the standard grey all-over scheme)? |
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Post by retiredav8r on May 14, 2022 15:27:49 GMT 12
Dont know about being fortunate, Just C130J's. Have a H and J parked over the back fence at the moment.
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Post by ZacYates on May 14, 2022 16:15:07 GMT 12
PS I like the USAF Super Herc's colour scheme, wonder if the RNZAF's new C-130J's will adopt it (rather than the standard grey all-over scheme)? This model builder certainly hopes so! |
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Post by nige on May 14, 2022 22:05:33 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on May 15, 2022 9:09:02 GMT 12
I wonder if the RNZAF's new C-130J-30's can also be configured for air refueling too (and whether it will have similar capabilities for clandestine, night time operations)? Can? Sure! Will? Outcome highly doubtful. |
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