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Post by Calum on Mar 23, 2011 19:41:26 GMT 12
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Post by Calum on Mar 13, 2011 13:34:00 GMT 12
It would be good to see more trans tassie traffic there. Although last year I flew in and out of Rotorua which (for me going to Tauranga) is fantastic. I hope this service continues
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Post by Calum on Mar 12, 2011 17:38:33 GMT 12
All joking aside I think it is possible that they may order less than four engines. My surmise is based on the possibility that ADF have been told if they want the C-17 they have to keep their costs down and have decided they can supply one or more of their current spares. Of course they know that once they get the aircraft they can make a future case for additional engines. This sounds closer to the mark
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Post by Calum on Mar 11, 2011 19:01:46 GMT 12
Is Pacific Blue still the only international flights in/out of Hamilton?
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Post by Calum on Mar 9, 2011 17:17:21 GMT 12
The biggest disapointment was that the displays were limited to passes along the runway. The Hornet display was 3 passes nothing more. Last years was the best Hornet dipslay I've seen.
The only aerobatic display was done by the RAN Squirrels.
Albion Park has a serial complainer which combined with what happened last year (where they told CASA it was a fly in as opposed to an airshow) meant that CASA imposed strict restrictions ont hem.
Hoepfully next yer they will actually be able have a proper airshow. this years was realy fly in.
Still seeing the Hudson and Spitfire was a highlight.
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Post by Calum on Mar 8, 2011 16:25:25 GMT 12
Oh I don't know Calum, I'm 6ft 2 and I fit Ok in the front of an LUH. Width is an issue though. One thing I like about the AW139 is the room up front for bags and charts, specially if you install the extended center console. The 109 is like a sports car, no storage! I think the AW169 will surpass the 109 for a small military helo when it comes out. Looks like a 139 that has been washed too much and has shrunk. I'm sure once the RNZAF techs get their heads around how Agusta do things, they'll enjoy working on them. I've now been 6 years on the AW139 and I don't want to go on to anything else, and I certainly never want to work on a 412 ever again!!! Graham Graham , Regarding the height, this was mentoned on the comments from some the RAN aircrew here. The AW-139 is a nice helciopter though (bigger than a 109 IIRC). The local rescue services here have one Try dealing with Eurocopter if you want a some experience in frustration
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Post by Calum on Mar 6, 2011 11:44:55 GMT 12
Over all a disappointing "airshow" but not entirely HARS's fault from what I understand. The only real air display was by the Squirrel pairs display. Plus the weather (like last year) was crap for photography, overcast and low cloud. Here's a couple of teasers Rather than posting them all here is a link to the photobucket sideshow It takes about 3 minutes for the slideshow
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Post by Calum on Mar 6, 2011 11:41:47 GMT 12
Can anyone confirm if all of ours are being built by Eurocopter or are some are being assembled in Australia along with those for the Aussie Army? The RNZAF ones are being assembled in France. From what I understand there are some small differences between the Aussie MRH-90 and the RNZAF TTH-90
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Post by Calum on Mar 6, 2011 8:46:24 GMT 12
lets hope the french supply system works better than the Italian one, as the Aeromacchi suffered from a shocking lead time for spares and price(USD$20 for a nosewheel O ring) Then there was the companies that had gone bust that made a lot of A class parts. Trust me it doesn't $150 Euro's and 120 days for a bearing I'm 99% sure I could be in a Auto shop 20 kms away for $6 AUD
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Post by Calum on Mar 5, 2011 8:54:04 GMT 12
What will be interesting for the RNZAF is having to deal with the French (or Eurocopter). After being used, for so long to US spec's /systems etc this will be a change.
After 8 years on a Eurcopter product I so hope my next job will be on a US platform and dealing with a US OEM.
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Post by Calum on Mar 4, 2011 18:53:56 GMT 12
Hi Mike
It was nice to catch up. Will get onto the photos I took (about 800 culled to 100) this weekend
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Post by Calum on Mar 4, 2011 18:49:24 GMT 12
I thought the Aussies got the same hoist? The original factory hoist was a relatively old and basic design but we specified the flash new Goodrich hoist. Maybe the Aussies went with the original factory spec'd one? Yeah they went with the old crappy Hydraulic one, it's based on a Breeze design from the 1950's modified and built by a German firm . From what I hear all the big operators didn't rock the boat with NHI on the hoist. It was the little operators like NZ, Oman and some others who wouldn't accept the old one and insisted on the new Electric Goodrich hoists. Specifying a dual set up is excellent. It gives you great redundancy. I've heard more whispers that that they want to change hoists as soon as they can. I'll be sending some of these to my old engineer who is now the deputy AEO on 808 Sqn.
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Post by Calum on Mar 4, 2011 15:30:35 GMT 12
FAB! Looks like they ran out of paint on the boom? Can anyone throw any light on the kakhi colour patch? Maybe it's NEW RNZAF camo!!! Radome of some sort? Doppler perhaps
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Post by Calum on Mar 4, 2011 15:27:06 GMT 12
In the nose Radome, is it a radar or EO/IR?
And I agree with Phil re the Dual hoist seatup. Much better than the POS the Aussies have
I expect they'll retrofit this setup on theres once they are finally in service
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Post by Calum on Feb 25, 2011 17:22:32 GMT 12
Hi Calum, I will be heading down from Sydney for the day. I will come visit (I wouldn't miss the modelling section anyway) and say hi. Cheers Mike. be nice to put a face to the name Mike. Just ask for me at the IPMA stand if I don't have my name tag on.
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Post by Calum on Feb 25, 2011 17:21:36 GMT 12
Would love to be there to get away from the earthquakes here! This weekend is 20 years exactly since Calum and I were posted to Nowra with 2 Squadron - hard to believe it has been 20 years! Back in the good old days the A-4s would have done a display at the show. Yep it is 20 years Don. ;D Hard to believe alright We, and the Tunny's are off to the Ex Servo's for the Raffles tonight BBQ at the Tunnies tomorrow as well. A few other ex 2 Sqn guys from other pushes who live around here are coming down.
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Post by Calum on Feb 25, 2011 8:54:41 GMT 12
Any of the Australian based contributors going to Wings over Illawarra (near Wollongong) on Sunday. If so drop by the Illawarra Plastic modellers stand (located in the one of the hangars) and say hi
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Post by Calum on Feb 24, 2011 15:46:42 GMT 12
It was retained because removing it affects the certification of the ship. The design work required to recertify it is considered significant and therefore costly. So it was decided it was easier and cheaper to leave it there.
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Post by Calum on Feb 23, 2011 9:11:04 GMT 12
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Post by Calum on Feb 22, 2011 16:23:01 GMT 12
Sorry, I thought it was obvious that i was talking tongue in cheek about shifting the Landrover a few feet. ;D sorry. No worries Dave. it's easy to mis read intent on the boards
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