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Post by typerated on Dec 10, 2021 19:24:49 GMT 12
Except for the F35. No proven capability yet. You are a couple of years out of date!
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Post by typerated on Dec 10, 2021 16:17:09 GMT 12
Kinda cool that you can see them letting go live rounds so close, would imagine there aren't manly locations in the world you get too see that? Actually there are lots! Plenty of weaposn ranges let you much closer than you'd imagine Try in the UK Holbeach (or Donna Nook) it's about an hour from Duxford. I mispent my youth watching A-10s strafe!
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Post by typerated on Dec 10, 2021 8:24:46 GMT 12
I heard 40 Blackhawks 24 C-130Js and some KC-130s
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Post by typerated on Nov 9, 2021 7:13:19 GMT 12
Any idea on timings for Wednesday? might be the only day with decent weather!
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Post by typerated on Oct 14, 2021 21:00:49 GMT 12
Rumour is they ran out of fuel... whoops
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Post by typerated on Oct 13, 2021 13:32:22 GMT 12
Yes I knew KC-30 wasn’t perfect at the start– but going well now! 1000% better than the comedy coming out of Seattle! And remember the USAF essentially wanted the KC-30!! Maybe you would have been happier with US built Airbus aeroplanes?
Again I point you back to your procurement process – rather than where the gear comes from. I think you could have seen the dramas coming from before you signed! And I’d suggest what it shows is Australia is too small to lead on projects or buy too early in the project’s lifecycle. Especially for low volume items. To me this is the key. We had the same drama in the UK – trying to keep local manufacturing and design teams going over buying off the shelf. If you compare how NZ and Aus tackled the Seasprite – New or old airframes – buy off the shelf equipment or create a new package. I think it showswhy you get into trouble!
It’s also its a tricky balance against getting gear that is obsolete or low in performance.
The F/A-18F/G I’d suggest falls into that side. Proven product – easy buy off the shelf. But how long is it going to be relevant? Fine for CAS but not going to wrestle air superiority from anyone.
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Post by typerated on Oct 13, 2021 8:28:02 GMT 12
If you are looking for your rose tinted US specs - they might be on the end of your nose! They are past masters at oiling the political wheels to sell. Europe was full of unsuitable F-104s when I was a boy. Interoperability sounds like it is important and useful but I’d suggest it is overplayed. The RAAF is not in the US supply system. The important thing is training and procedures, comms kit etc so you can operate together. Not the same platforms. I was on lots of NATO exercises where there was a distinct advantage in having a range of platforms to do different jobs. I’ll counter your perfect C-17 with the KC-30A - wishing you got KC-46 instead for the interoperability with your close allies?
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Post by typerated on Oct 11, 2021 17:55:20 GMT 12
European anything.......... I think it's more Australian procurement that is world beatingly crap. Plenty of superb European gear that bats US out of the park in capability, reliability and cost!
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Post by typerated on Sept 30, 2021 14:48:02 GMT 12
The RNZAF is, I'm sure, as busy as always, if not busier, completing both its regular tasks and scheduled operations and exercises, as well as those tasks that arise suddenly like the Afghan evacuation recently. And all this is being done with the stress of operating older aircraft on some squadrons, and more importantly depleted staff due to so many members of NZDF being tied up with the COVID response at MIQ and other related roles. Rather than embarrassing, I think they are doing their country proud. Give them a break. Oopsie Dave, hadn't jumped on for a few days so missed this. I'm sure you get the gist of what I mean... we have an awesome Defence Force who do an absolutely bloody wonderful job and constantly prove they are the best!!! Our boys & girls punch way above their weight and I would stand-up to any person who begged to argue otherwise... the trouble is they are completely undervalued and sold short by a political 'elite' (oxymoron!) who for the last 30 years have, for reasons of philosophical 'wah-wah' versus not wanting to spend money on anything full-stop, done their best to effectively stymie the awesome work that our DF do... whipping away the tools they need to do their job at a level at which we used to. It's not the NZDF who aren't pulling their weight, it's the Govt and that reflects badly on all of us as a nation. Absolutely Dave, the whole NZDF are doing us damn proud... Op Kokako to Afghanistan was a great example of how it can be done... it had hugely positive by-in from media and I think really got people seeing why a defence force is more than just SAR & HADR... well done to NZDF for proving in Afghanistan they are up there with the best! I have some questions regarding this 1) Do you agree with the current direction of the NZDF – mainly aimed at disaster relief, peacekeeping or low intensity conflict? 2) What should we be able to deploy if there was a conflict in the South China sea? If anything? 3) What capability do you think the NZDF should have ? 4) What would this capability allow us do now that we can’t do already? 5) Where do you think the money for new gear/capability should come from – education, health, benefits, infrastructure? Or perhaps raising taxes Just asking
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Post by typerated on Sept 8, 2021 11:02:26 GMT 12
There was a C-5 in ChCh on 22 Feb 2011 - Earthquake day. Along with quite a few other USAF transports on the ramp. They departed the next day once the airport reopened - and I was a little surprised didnt take part in the relief effort or the evacuation as far I can remember.
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Post by typerated on Aug 18, 2021 22:19:38 GMT 12
With the best will in the world and fingers crossed but it is hard to see putting it back in the box in the next two weeks.
Just wonder if there is a cunning plan for another date change?
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Post by typerated on Aug 4, 2021 20:35:02 GMT 12
Since 1967, Winfly has been the transition period between the winter and summer seasons. It’s when a quick succession of planes deliver a host of new people to the station in early August, followed by no additional flights for about two months. It allowed the newly delivered support staff enough time to prepare the station before the majority of researchers and workers begin to arrive in early October for “mainbody.” I think they usually start about 20th August but dont usually finish till early September due to the weather
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Post by typerated on Aug 4, 2021 20:28:37 GMT 12
The USAF winter resupply of McMurdo - Winter Fly - they make a few C-17 flights in early September to keep thing ticking over till the summer season. If Masterton can get a B-52! If Omaka did have a big highlight you would imagine it would have been shouted from the rooftops - but might be some funky marketing stategy to keep things top the last minute?
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Post by typerated on Aug 4, 2021 17:44:50 GMT 12
Anything pointy from the RAAF looks unlikely - But an out and return from the transport wing or a P-8 like Masterton ? USAF will most likely be in CHCH for Winfly - you never know!
I see 100 excotic aircraft is advertised - from memory it used to be 80! so maybe a few aircraft we have not seen before. Might not be any big headliners but hoping there will be plenty of small surpises - and even if they dont display I love to see many of the classics fly.
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Post by typerated on Jun 15, 2021 19:54:47 GMT 12
This week's 'on the ground' display piece will likely rate as one of the 'star attractions' of the Classic Fighters Airshow for 2021!
That's a shame - I'd prefer my star attractions as flying machines rather than "ground theatre!"
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Post by typerated on Jun 15, 2021 19:26:41 GMT 12
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Post by typerated on Jun 2, 2021 10:00:13 GMT 12
I was particularly looking forward to the debut of the Hawker tempest II painted in No.33 Sqn markings. It looks simply beautiful in silver with blue codes Certainly does!
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Post by typerated on Mar 12, 2021 9:57:02 GMT 12
You can fly to Nelson instead - plenty of people coming over the hill
or go to Wellington and then catch the ferry - which is $100 return for a foot passenger
or go on the DC-3!
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Post by typerated on Mar 11, 2021 7:26:16 GMT 12
Interesting as in the past local accommodation providers have always shrugged their shoulders when asked to assist the airshow and said that they would be full at Easter even if Classic Fighters was not held! That would have perhaps been in pre-COVID times before the NZ Govt went with a 'one size fits all' lockdown approach to each and every community case recorded in this country. . Could Not disagree more wish this - Tripe! As said above the motels will likely be doing Ok in Easter and then will get filled in September when the Airshow is on...
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Post by typerated on Mar 10, 2021 16:16:28 GMT 12
Is this just a big countdown/drum roll to finish with the CT-4?
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