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Post by Calum on Aug 3, 2020 14:26:32 GMT 12
sadly Colin I agree, I can't see WOI going ahead in November either. 2020 is a write off for those of us in Australia i fear. I can only hope we'll be in good enough shape that NZ will let us travel there without restrictions for Omaka next year. But I'm not hopeful of that either.
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Post by Calum on Jul 7, 2020 14:50:22 GMT 12
Nice photos Errol
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Post by Calum on May 15, 2020 10:35:29 GMT 12
Will there be difficulty with the additionallength of the C130J-30 fitting into the hangars at Whenupai One would hope part of the project is new facilities.
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Post by Calum on May 15, 2020 10:34:13 GMT 12
Calum, There is a desire amongst those involved in arranging the flying side of the RAAF Centenary celebrations to have the maximum number of relevant ex-RAAF airframes and types airworthy for the RAAF Centenary in 2021. In particular the Sabre which is a particularly unique RAAF type is one they want, and the TAM version being with its RAAF ownership and TAM operation, plus specific airframe history in previous anniversary events, is one they want back airworthy for 2021. A solution was identified for the Sabre ejection seat issue and was planned to be implemented if the correct technical and administrative sign offs could be achieved from all the relevant parties involved. So I think you will find that the inclusion of the Sabre on the Avalon poster is more than just aspirational. All that may be true Colin.. But that doesn't change the fact that at the moment that Sabre doesn't fly. So that poster is cleary aspirational. Whilst they may have identified a solution I haven't heard how far that has progressed. If the solution is what I think it is then a fair bit of money/engineering will be required.
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Post by Calum on May 14, 2020 15:01:35 GMT 12
Not surprising. However it looks as if Temora's Sabre will be airworthy by then, given the poster. g. Airshow posters in my experience are aspirational
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Post by Calum on May 14, 2020 15:00:17 GMT 12
These look much better than the S and M ones
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Post by Calum on May 11, 2020 15:09:02 GMT 12
Nice collection
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Post by Calum on Apr 19, 2020 12:00:49 GMT 12
Is the intention to get 4 aircraft to replace the 6 P-3 .I hoped it would have been more. Will our P-8 have air to air refueling capability , does anyone know? Yeah 4 P-8's for 6 P-3's. I'd expect more P-8's will be available on most given days than P-3's are now. That said another one would be a wise investment noting the world is becoming increasingly unstable . If the RNZAF, as is their stated intent, maintains the aircraft in line with the USN configuration purchasing another airframe in the future will mean it can slot into the inventory with little difficulty. The P-8 can be refuelled in flight via a boom equipped tanker. Obviously the RNZAF doesn't have one and to be honest it seems hard to justify one or 2 but our major allies (the US and Australia) do .
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Post by Calum on Apr 19, 2020 11:51:14 GMT 12
There has been several comments from former WNW employees on various WNW Facebook groups saying everyone has been laid off. Whilst as modelling subjects WW I isn't really my thing I was interested in TVAL as I've not had he change to see much of their stuff fly.
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Post by Calum on Apr 17, 2020 15:01:54 GMT 12
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Post by Calum on Apr 2, 2020 13:27:50 GMT 12
Well well... congrats to the RNZAF with just four Patrol aircraft. Shame... Still 4 is better than the 6 we have and better than the none we'd eventually have if we 'd not ordered the P-8
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Post by Calum on Mar 10, 2020 14:03:51 GMT 12
Police air wings Daulphin beat up at the end of the show was excellent (just like the bad old days).Pity I had the camera set to 1/60.
Enjoyed the show but like every airfield in Australia it seems, photography is a challenge in the afternoon. That said Tyabb is better than some.
Was great to see the P-40F, Corsair and both Mustangs I'd not seen any of those before (or for a long time in the case of the mustangs) . The Warbird balbo was impressive
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Post by Calum on Mar 10, 2020 13:56:15 GMT 12
The Hornet will be a very expensive jet for a private civilian contractor to operate and maintain. That is why up until now these companies have tended to go for older 3rd generation jets. They are relatively cheap to operate which has been a big consideration for the US military in outsorcing this work. Having said that, the Aussie Hornets have an awesome capability in terms of their avionics (if the purchaser is allowed to have it all). Agree this purchase is interesting ie you'd think US Air would buy some of the ex USMC or USN Hornets - maybe they are more knackered than the RAAF birds. Draken now has Mirage F1's which I guess would cost similar to a Hornet to maintain? Plenty of Hornet spares in country. Shows too how the adversary training is now high end close to peer to peer. The USN /USMC A's are pretty worn out. After all most of them went out to the carriers.The RAAF aircraft haven't been so abused and some have had the centre barrel replaced. Also many of the USN/USMC ones wouldn't have gone through the updates the RAAF aircraft did. The USN just moved to the C model and only retained the A for reserve units . Also the better ones may have to be stored at AMRAC in case they are needed again if there is a major conflict. The hornet would still more expensive to operate that the Draken F1's and Cheetahs not the least because it has 2 engines. But they'd be more capable as well. IMHO they'd be the most capable gen 4 Ad Air platform on the civil register. As for high performance jets on the civil register, we still haven't seen confirmation of a civil F-16 ad air platform yet. Discovery Air was supposed to be getting some F-16A's from an unnamed middle east country but I've not seen anything concrete as yet. As for aircraft being retaining in Australia.. I'm sure the AVM and RAAF museums /heritage centres will get an example(s) but I'm not so sure museums like HARS/Fighterworld will now. I have heard they were promised airframes but when it comes to dollars and cents they may miss out. It's not like the F-111's where the alternative was that the aircraft would be destroyed if it didn't have a home to go to. Interesting times
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Post by Calum on Feb 19, 2020 13:51:00 GMT 12
FMS or Foreign Military Sales is controlled by the State Department, so while the aircraft being purchased may or may not come from existing USAF stocks or orders, the actual process is very much a higher political affair Cheers for the correction. I knew FMS are purchased direct from the US government not the actual manufacturer, just wasn't sure of the agency. I do know it's not uncommon for FMS customers to get aircraft from closer to the head of the queue though. They does seem to a few here willing for failure, I assume this is suit their politics (I assume they have forgotten the P-8 )
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Post by Calum on Feb 17, 2020 13:33:08 GMT 12
I think they have only selected the C-130. Have to wait and see what LM comes back with as a package before contract signing. Aren't buying FMS? if so it will be the USAF that actually supplies the aircraft/equipment
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Post by Calum on Feb 14, 2020 13:48:43 GMT 12
Thanks all
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Post by Calum on Feb 13, 2020 13:29:09 GMT 12
What's the idea of vertical bow. Does it no favors in the looks department Aotearoa will be the world’s first naval ship to adopt Rolls-Royce’s Environship concept design, which includes a new wave-piercing hull for reduced resistance and fuel consumption. I think it is called a Environship bulbous axe-bow... or something... I has nothing to do with ice breaking like I have read else where on other sites... Who cares what it looks like as long as if it does the job? Thanks for the explanation. BTW not saying I cared just that it doesn't do anything for it's looks.
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Post by Calum on Feb 12, 2020 13:34:45 GMT 12
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Post by Calum on Feb 12, 2020 13:32:14 GMT 12
What's the idea of vertical bow. Does it no favors in the looks department
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Post by Calum on Dec 3, 2019 14:00:24 GMT 12
Thanks Colin
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