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F-27
Nov 4, 2008 21:19:30 GMT 12
Post by beagle on Nov 4, 2008 21:19:30 GMT 12
I was just wondering if anybody had any good photos of the fokkers we had. There is the big one that was on the hangar wall showing it beside the Kaikoura's. Did anyone have any others, plus are they still in micronesia somewhere.
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F-27
Nov 4, 2008 21:47:47 GMT 12
Post by nzompilot on Nov 4, 2008 21:47:47 GMT 12
I bought a great framed photo of NZ2783 over Christchurch City off trademe its 54x44cm. I could probably take a photo of it if you wanted.
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F-27
Nov 6, 2008 12:52:25 GMT 12
Post by corsair67 on Nov 6, 2008 12:52:25 GMT 12
Beags, here's a photo I took of a photo! RNZAF Museum photo. This photo was obviously taken either before delivery to the RNZAF, or shortly after introduction to service, as there are no underwing tanks on this one.
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F-27
Nov 6, 2008 13:24:25 GMT 12
Post by nzompilot on Nov 6, 2008 13:24:25 GMT 12
As stated above here is a pic of the photo I have of NZ2783 - unfortunately not such a great shot of it due to reflections/dust on the glass etc but you get the idea
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F-27
Nov 6, 2008 13:38:31 GMT 12
Post by beagle on Nov 6, 2008 13:38:31 GMT 12
both shots are early ones, as later on in their service life they gained some art work on the tail regards belonging to NATS
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F-27
Nov 6, 2008 14:19:39 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 6, 2008 14:19:39 GMT 12
Or NATTS - The Navigational Aids Technical Training School
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F-27
Nov 6, 2008 21:52:30 GMT 12
Post by nzav8a on Nov 6, 2008 21:52:30 GMT 12
NZ2781/ZK-BXB Christchruch 1980 NZ2781 NZ2782 Richmond October 1988 NZ2783
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F-27
Jan 3, 2012 22:10:41 GMT 12
Post by baronbeeza on Jan 3, 2012 22:10:41 GMT 12
This thread is a little old but I was reminded of the F-27 with the present talk about a revised transport and maritime patrol aircraft.
NATS operated the aircraft from the early '80's and I think they were highly regarded.
NATS became NATTS a little later, about 1983 I am guessing. Navigation, Air Electronics and Telcomunication Training Squadron .... I think. We never did write it out in full that often.
With only 3 aircraft I cannot ever recall a given point where all 3 were identical in appearance. The fin flash was enlarged from 12" square to 18" in late 1982 or 83 I think.
***EDIT***
That sounds wrong. Maybe 18" to 24". ****
The NATTS fin insignia followed not long afterwards.
I thought one of them also wore the Christchurch City Coat of Arms.
It is interesting to see NZ2782 at Richmond. It was the lighter aircraft of the three and was the favourite for the overseas deployments.... if that aircraft was quietly prepared and then introduced into the planning at the appropriate time one more ground crew could get aboard.
Whenever an aircraft went to Aussie it always had the best blanks, pitot covers etc.... They really did look when compared against their cuzzies, -the Oz SAN aircraft.
Two of the three current RNZAF brass did many hours in these machines..... they will not have forgotten.
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F-27
Jan 3, 2012 22:16:04 GMT 12
Post by beagle on Jan 3, 2012 22:16:04 GMT 12
was just checking out the image of over CHCH CBD. mmmmmmmmmmmmm a few of those buildings not there anymore..
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F-27
Jan 3, 2012 22:32:49 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 3, 2012 22:32:49 GMT 12
None of them wore the city coat of arms when I was based there1991-93 Kevin. I do recall one of the aircraft in that time had worno out its NATTS tail artwork so Vaughn McAllistar and I replaced the decal - he did most of it but I helped. A bloody tricky job getting it straight and not sticking it on the wrong angle while unpeeling the back. But we did it ok. They retired shortly after that.
Who was the winged God dude on the tail by the way? I've forgotten.
Beags, yeah that's a sad but true thought.
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F-27
Jan 3, 2012 22:49:09 GMT 12
Post by baronbeeza on Jan 3, 2012 22:49:09 GMT 12
Yeah Dave, I am thinking about the coat of arms. I think behind the Pilot's window by the entry door. I would have to imagine 2781. It may not have lasted long and I can't recall the significance. It wasn't as though we got free beer in town or anything. I think this pic and album is from an Aussie. Well done Draggie and thanks. The guys here will enjoy flicking through that album. s154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/Draggie748/RNZAF%20Aircraft/s154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/Draggie748/RNZAF%20Aircraft/When the S&S guys did the sanding to enlarge the fin flash the red became blue... and the blue when sanded turned red. The Air NZ guys had got it wrong when the livery was initially applied. I think that is why all 3 were like triplets, but not necessarily identical. I noted the ChCh backdrop also. Didn't we see a pic here the other day showing a much more open city... and how about Lancaster Park ?
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F-27
Jan 3, 2012 22:53:59 GMT 12
Post by beagle on Jan 3, 2012 22:53:59 GMT 12
So what was their normal cruise speed across the ditch to Aussie. Take it, it was via WP and Norfolk
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F-27
Jan 3, 2012 23:18:58 GMT 12
Post by baronbeeza on Jan 3, 2012 23:18:58 GMT 12
Hahaha, normal cruise.
Well one RNZAF F-27 was airborne for 11 hrs 36 minutes.
I stand to be corrected but it will be on the internet somewhere. They cheated.. it was Wigram to Wigram. Possibly Harewood to Wigram.
Aussie was not always via Norfolk...the Navs were very shrewd and sometimes it was Invercargill to Hobart. Return was easier and often Hobart to Harewood. Maybe even Sale to Harewood.
I can't remember being at Norfolk with a F-27... the Squadron certainly went there and often enough. I just had a feeling that if the winds were favourable they would go direct from ChCh to Richmond, possibly Sale.
Others will know more but they were not the fastest. Darwin to Perth was about 7 hours. The haul from Perth over to the east took some time also. The aircraft were reliable and easy to get parts for anyway. The only spares carried on the trip was a 36Kg box with a few tools. The box would be a spare HF radio and coupler. Typically the trip about Oz would be a week to 10 days and would visit a good many bases.
The students on the Nav courses got to go to Norfolk and Sale as part of their training.
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F-27
Jan 3, 2012 23:59:25 GMT 12
Post by baronbeeza on Jan 3, 2012 23:59:25 GMT 12
A www.thescale.info/news/publish/RNZAF-Harvard-NZ1041.shtmlI am sure the guys here have discussed this before. I had forgotten until just tonight though. The guys somehow discovered that the fleet leader aircraft was permitted to display the City Coat of Arms. I had a feeling it was in an Air Staff directive. Either it was unearthed by someone at NATTS in the mid 80's or Airstaff re-issued it at that time. I honestly could not say. I am sure the F-27 livery drawings would have been amended to include the change and I am equally sure it was for one aircraft in each fleet only. It may have even only have been one aircraft at each Base. The aero-modeller fraternity here will have their ideas on that one. Enlarging the fin flash was a local initiative, - some of the maintenance staff were standing in a huddle one day, - it didn't happen often. Anyway the discussion was about the tail of the aircraft and about how it was just an expanse of white.. Within minutes it was agreed that the flash needed to be enlarged. Getting the formal approval was painless and quick. All the aircraft would have been painted within weeks of the 'huddle'. The aircrew got inspired and thought they could go one better..... as they are wont to do, hmm Hence the birth of Dave's winged bloke appearing on the tail as well. If you compare the photo of 82 at Richmond to the other pics, you will see how much it changed the styling. The guys in Wellington were thrilled with the proposals and I am sure it was why the mods were approved so quickly.
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F-27
Jan 4, 2012 7:52:39 GMT 12
Post by flyjoe180 on Jan 4, 2012 7:52:39 GMT 12
Very interesting thread. The old white and blue scheme looked very smart indeed.
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F-27
Jan 4, 2012 10:01:12 GMT 12
Post by obiwan27 on Jan 4, 2012 10:01:12 GMT 12
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F-27
Jan 4, 2012 11:50:16 GMT 12
Post by baronbeeza on Jan 4, 2012 11:50:16 GMT 12
Yes, - ATC famil flights, Support Group taxi flights, transporting stranded MP's, Base and Wise Owl support. Having an aircraft with those spare seats certainly made the F-27 the 'Swiss Army Knife' of the RNZAF fleet. It did Maritime patrols, SAR, Nav Training, AEOp Training, Pilot training, Medivac, and possibly a multitude of other tasks.... and it was South Island based. www.dpmc.govt.nz/sites/all/files/publications/annex_iiia_fisheries-aerial_surveillance.pdfThe link is a Fisheries paper detailing what they think of regional surveillance. Unfortunately it is 10 years old but it was pretty obvious they were missing having the F-27 available to them. They seem right peeved that it was removed from service. I have worked on all types in the Coastwatch fleet as well as the Dornier 328 that Aerorescue try and operate. While the F406 can do the Fisheries and maritime patrol task it is limited as to what else it can do. It lacks the seats to be useful as a multi-role aircraft. Actually that fisheries report does a good job of comparing our proposed aircraft to those currently in use by other countries. Our region of interest extends right up into the Pacific. I have been right through there, stayed at Fanning and Canton Islands. Flown into a strip on Washington Island even flying out of Kirimati. The F-27 would have been hopeless trying to patrol into those areas and it is within the P-3 area anyway. But the island nations closer to home could certainly be used as a temporary base for patrol aircraft. I still see the King Air and F406 types too small for Pacific operations. They don't have an APU for ground air conditioning either. I have said it before, the F-27 was brilliant for it's time. The Coastwatch Dash 8-200 were great for the Aussies also. They now operate Q200 and Q300 aircraft on that contract. Unfortunately for all of us the F-27 is long gone. With a bit of smart and lateral thinking the RNZAF could still be in a position to turn the clock back a little. I am too lazy to check on the other thread, the proposed multi-role light transport/maritime aircraft.
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F-27
Sept 24, 2012 17:38:55 GMT 12
Post by baronbeeza on Sept 24, 2012 17:38:55 GMT 12
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F-27
Sept 24, 2012 20:34:04 GMT 12
Post by ngatimozart on Sept 24, 2012 20:34:04 GMT 12
Blew it up in photoshop to have a look but image pixelated and it could be a sqn badge but it mightn't be either.
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zolteg
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 82
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F-27
Sept 25, 2012 20:44:31 GMT 12
Post by zolteg on Sept 25, 2012 20:44:31 GMT 12
[/img] The same photo was posted on another thread running here also. I have reposted here because this follows on from 2781 having a few extra embellishments over the years. What caught my eye here was the decal just forward of the fuselage roundel. It appears to be a Squadron badge but could also be a zap I guess. The date appears to be early 1990's.[/quote] I suspect that'll be the NATTS squadron badge. Either that, or the SGHQ badge.... I can't remember which....
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