Toby
Sergeant
Posts: 17 
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Post by Toby on Jul 3, 2023 17:51:04 GMT 12
Been a while since I posted on here but thought it might be of interest, please move this thread if I posted it in the wrong section. I was walking out of Christchurch Airport last night and I noticed there was a USAF (assumedly, as they are the only operators) LC-130J sitting on the apron outside the US Antarctic Program hangar. This isn't a rare sight in the summer months although it seemed weird for it to be all the way down here in the middle of winter so I went up and had a closer look. From there I noticed it was completely "paint-stripped" like it had just come off the production line, which seemed odd so I thought I'd post it on here to see if anyone else thought the same and/or if they had any idea as to why it was here at this time of year and in such a state.
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Post by McFly on Jul 3, 2023 18:22:26 GMT 12
Been a while since I posted on here but thought it might be of interest, please move this thread if I posted it in the wrong section. I was walking out of Christchurch Airport last night and I noticed there was a USAF (assumedly, as they are the only operators) LC-130J sitting on the apron outside the US Antarctic Program hangar. This isn't a rare sight in the summer months although it seemed weird for it to be all the way down here in the middle of winter so I went up and had a closer look. From there I noticed it was completely "paint-stripped" like it had just come off the production line, which seemed odd so I thought I'd post it on here to see if anyone else thought the same and/or if they had any idea as to why it was here at this time of year and in such a state. This one...     |
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Post by l29 on Jul 3, 2023 18:25:15 GMT 12
It has been here for quite a long time, down at Air NZ hangar getting a major check. Due to fly to auz for paint soon.
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Post by ErrolC on Jul 3, 2023 19:55:01 GMT 12
BTW it is a LC-130H with the fancy NP2000 8-bladed props, not a J with 6-bladed ones.
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Post by baz62 on Jul 4, 2023 13:10:23 GMT 12
It has been here for quite a long time, down at Air NZ hangar getting a major check. Due to fly to auz for paint soon. Air New Zealand not got a paint shop at CHC now? Or did Aussie shop got a better price? |
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Post by kiwi172 on Jul 10, 2023 19:17:25 GMT 12
LC130H 92-1094 c/n 383-5402 "
Was "Pride of Glenville".
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Post by Antonio on Jul 11, 2023 9:19:13 GMT 12
BTW it is a LC-130H with the fancy NP2000 8-bladed props, not a J with 6-bladed ones. So it that a re-bladed Allison or an entirely new engine? What is the performance difference between those and the J model? |
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Post by ErrolC on Jul 11, 2023 10:29:26 GMT 12
BTW it is a LC-130H with the fancy NP2000 8-bladed props, not a J with 6-bladed ones. So it that a re-bladed Allison or an entirely new engine? What is the performance difference between those and the J model? It's a new hub and blades. The manufacturer's claims vs old-style H's should be easy to find by searching for NP2000. However the forces don't seem to have actually installed as many as Congress has authorised (look at the number of H's not grounded by the problems around refurbishment of old-type propellers last year) so the users might have a different opinion about the trade-offs (or have better uses for the $$). |
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Post by machina on Jul 15, 2023 12:44:28 GMT 12
US Coast Guard Herc currently parked up at Whenuapai.
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Post by No longer identifiable on Jul 15, 2023 14:28:12 GMT 12
Thanks machina. I went and had a quick look but I couldn't see the serial numbers from the main road. No skis, though. I also had a look on the net for any exercises involving the US Coast Guard in NZ but there is nothing to see.
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Post by ErrolC on Jul 15, 2023 15:18:18 GMT 12
Thanks machina. I went and had a quick look but I couldn't see the serial numbers from the main road. No skis, though. I also had a look on the net for any exercises involving the US Coast Guard in NZ but there is nothing to see. I can't find any mention of the USCG in the Mobility Guardian exercise happening in lots of Indo-Pacific locations. Maybe it was operating out of American Samoa and they had an issue that it was better to fix at Whenuapai rather than going back to base in Hawaii? Or we owed them a favour while they provided cover until our P-8's reached IOC? |
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Post by machina on Jul 17, 2023 20:02:25 GMT 12
Anyone here with their ear to the ground who might know why it’s here, or could find out? I’m pretty curious haha.
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Post by McFly on Jul 17, 2023 22:24:33 GMT 12
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Post by nuuumannn on Jul 18, 2023 10:55:13 GMT 12
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Post by Antonio on Jul 18, 2023 16:53:56 GMT 12
"The hangar was pulled down years ago and a car park has been placed on its footprint"
Ahhhhh.
Gotta have car parks over a hangar anytime don't ya?
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Post by machina on Jul 18, 2023 17:16:27 GMT 12
Looks like that USCG is on its way back into Whenuapai.
On a related note, are there any other visitors here at the moment? Been told that ‘two jets’ have been buzzing around Whenuapai yesterday and today, in a loose formation. I’m inclined to think it’s probably just a couple of Texans but wondered if anyone knows anything different.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 18, 2023 17:42:37 GMT 12
Let's not forget that military and government organisations are allowed to do things without the public having to be informed of their every movement. If they do not want you to know why that Coast Guard aircraft is here, there will be a reason.
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Post by machina on Jul 18, 2023 17:57:32 GMT 12
No argument from me on that front Dave, I’m just curious from an enthusiasts point of view, especially since it was a nice surprise to drive past Whenuapai and see something a bit different parked up.
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Post by ErrolC on Jul 18, 2023 18:08:59 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Jul 18, 2023 20:23:21 GMT 12
Looks like that USCG is on its way back into Whenuapai. On a related note, are there any other visitors here at the moment? Been told that ‘two jets’ have been buzzing around Whenuapai yesterday and today, in a loose formation. I’m inclined to think it’s probably just a couple of Texans but wondered if anyone knows anything different. L-39C Albatros - ZK-EJA (ALB84) and ZK-TCS L-39C (ALB88) out of 'Fighter Jets NZ' in Tauranga...( fighterjets.nz/ ) flightaware.com/live/flight/ZKEJAflightaware.com/live/flight/ZKTCS |
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