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Post by gibbo on Apr 15, 2015 17:09:32 GMT 12
Here is a link to the report (the Foreign Affairs, Defence & Trade Select Committee's 2013/14 Annual review of NZDF & MoD). C-17 info on paqe 3. linkHmmm, makes me cautiously optimistic... although 3 would be the sensible number, I think the reality is there won't be any support for an almost $1B spend for 3. At least the report pretty much states another type will be required to 'work alongside', which I expect would ultimately be a twin-engine type. ....fingers crossed!
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Post by gibbo on Apr 12, 2015 19:12:04 GMT 12
Like has been said, the students will do a fair bit of training in the simulators before getting let loose in the real thing. Yep, and to get an idea of just how much of the syllabus can be performed in the simulator, this well referenced article (see link) states: Simulation is so efficient and cost-effective that around 38% of the current US Navy (USN) flight training syllabus (using the T-6B Texan II) is simulator-based. www.pacificwingsmagazine.com/2012/07/14/training-tomorrows-rnzaf-a-single-solutionp.s. that does not imply the RNZAF will aim for the same percentage.
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Post by gibbo on Apr 12, 2015 16:33:26 GMT 12
I'm new to this forum, so forgive me if its already been dealt with. I'm curious to know how these a/c are going to be used in training? On the face of it, the RNZAF seems intent on all through training from ab initio to grad. That would be a world first as far as i know all others use a piston engined lead in. Anyone know? The RNZAF announcer ( Kate Bint ) at the OMAKA air show definitly said that the intention is for the T6 to be an " all through " trainer . Yes RNZAF publicity has very clearly stated the T-6C will be used to train pilots to wings graduation. They then move onto rotary or multi-engine conversion. Simulators (x2) will now play a significant part in that process alongside the aircraft itself. www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/what-we-do/aircraft/t6.htm
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Post by gibbo on Apr 10, 2015 20:44:13 GMT 12
I don't see why anyone is worried about the squadron number being used for trainers. They previously flew Harvards, Oxfords, two-seat Vampires, two-seat Skyhawks, Strikemasters and Macchis, all advanced trainers just like the Texan II's. Totally agree Dave... more about getting over the loss of the ACF than anything! The T-6C is a very, very capable trainer & whilst some might screw their noses up at simulators, they are the reality of modern pilot training and used throughout RNZAF for many types now. I expect that with the simulators & ground-based learning aids, combined with an all thru wings course on the one type, we'll see some pretty high calibre quality pilots coming thru (no reflection on any past or present bods intended nor implied there guys!)
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Post by gibbo on Apr 10, 2015 20:33:10 GMT 12
Another NH90 article, this time on Stuff: www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/67598369/gerry-brownlee-nh90-helicopters-purchase-interesting-- Brownlee appeared to take a swipe at the purchase of the NH90s and their absence from the aid contingent. "They're not dogs but they are big aircraft and we don't have a lot of ways to transport them," he said. Asked whether they were a poor replacement for the aging Iroquois, he said: "We had to replace them with something". "They are what they are, they are what we've got." -- Interesting given all the hoo-haa about the NH90's not being deployed to Vanuatu & their apparent inability to be transported there on Canterbury.. the latest RNZAF news has this to say: "... Shortly, the NH90 will deploy on HMNZS CANTERBURY to Australia for Exercise TALISMAN SABRE. This will be the first time the aircraft has been integrated into an international training exercise offshore and is a reflection of the hard work and efforts of many people across the RNZAF. ..." Okay so what key differences in this deployment means they can be transported by the very same vessel 3 weeks after they supposedly couldn't!?! I get it that 'operating from' is far more complicated than 'transported on' Canterbury but the issue was supposedly as much about transporting them there as anything else. I'd expect a deployable support unit for the NH90's will be going to Aussie - so why not to Vanuatu? Is RNZAF getting overly cautious about intro to service or is there more political shenanigans than real facts in the whole coverage of the issue. Of course the reality is in fact that the NZDF HAVE deployed the right chopper for the job... the Seasprite! I do like the SH2G...
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Post by gibbo on Apr 10, 2015 20:04:01 GMT 12
I doubt that air display practices and display clearances are a high priority for the RNZAF T-6C's introduction to service regime. When it's well established in service, fully cleared for all it's operational roles and taskings, then you might see a proper handling display. It's not really a valid comparison to NH799. Yeah displays probably aren't high priority at the mo, I was disappointed at seeing a 'yawn, yawn' display at Masterton but at least there they were available for close-up inspection. They made the point then that it doesn't matter that the type is in use worldwide etc etc, each operator must go through their own training & SOP creation etc etc.... makes sense! Never to mind - I'm certain that once the aerobatic team is up & running they'll provide a great display. On another semi-related note... I see the April RNZAF news has no article on the reformation of 14sqn on 30th Jan so one must now assume they aren't going to bother... pretty poor effort on someone's part there I feel. I know there's some grumbles about the number being dusted off for trainers, but there's still a proud history etc to tell.
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Post by gibbo on Feb 12, 2015 20:30:38 GMT 12
Hi, Can anyone recommend a good written history of the Boer War? Whilst I'd prefer to read more specifically about the NZ contribution, I'd be happy with a more generic overall history.
I've seen Richard Stowers 'Kiwi versus Boer' but it's not a huge book so not sure how much it covers. Also seen 'To fight for the empire' by John Crawford & Ellen Ellis but thought I'd check here with the experts before I purchase!
...Gibbo
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Post by gibbo on Feb 3, 2015 21:00:20 GMT 12
I see in Dec RNZAF news word that the capability branch are working on a number of ongoing projects including the 'repatriation of Air Warfare Office training'. I know it's been done in RAAF B350 for a number of years (IIRC - 32 sqn?).
So anyone know what's drivng this? Cost would be a usual component of such decisions but there must be a number of factors driving the move.
Increasingly simulators are playing a role in training but I guess it's safe to assume there will still be a significant need for time in the a/c. What does AWO actually require these days anyway - just a laptop on a workbench inside the a/c?
I guess what most of us here will be interested in is what platform is likely to be used. Obviously 42sqn B200 would be the most obvious choice and maybe the end of their lease in 2018 will be the catalyst for a new platform for MPET & AWO training (along with some light transport & basic overwater SAR/Recon)!?!
I'd imagine a modern iteration of 'NATS' isn't on the cards, but would 42 sqn have the capacity to take on that role with 4 a/c... might we see another 1 - 2 B200 leased one wonders.
... so many questions!
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Post by gibbo on Jan 19, 2015 23:35:55 GMT 12
Possibly this event - from For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Two: Fates 1943-1998): Sat 4 Aug 1945 NEW ZEALAND Air-air practice attacks 2 Operational Training Unit, RNZAF (Ohakea)Harvard IIA NZ1035 - on a diving pass at 0930 the port wing struck the tail of the target aircraft (NZ1048). The latter’s tail disintegrated, the aircraft spiralling into the ground on Mr Dalrymple’s farm at Parewanui, SW of Ohakea, where it burst into flames. With part of its port wing sheered off, NZ1035 entered a shallow spiral, recovered momentarily, then flicked over and crashed about 1000 yards away on the same property. The pilot is buried at Christchurch. Pilot: NZ4313159 Sgt Charles Roderick GRAY, RNZAF - Age 20. 138hrs solo (85 on Harvard) Gray’s father, Douglas Wanklyn Gray, was a First World War pilot who served in the RNAS and RAF, and, for a short time afterwards, the Canterbury (NZ) Aviation Company.2 Operational Training Unit, RNZAF (Ohakea)Harvard IIA NZ1048 - collided in mid-air with NZ1035 as described in the previous entry. The pilot is buried at Otahuhu. Pilot: NZ4310378 Sgt Warren Selwyn SHARPE, RNZAF - Age 20. 148hrs solo (93 on Harvard) Errol Another point I picked up too is that whilst 'For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915...' states Sgt C. R. Gray is buried in Christchurch, he is in fact in the Kelvin Grove cemetery in Palmy. I visited the grave over the weekend.
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Post by gibbo on Jan 19, 2015 16:48:22 GMT 12
Viewed the B17 crash report last Friday @ archives... always wondered where it was as my grandad was woken by the explosion(s) - he was sleeping in Pt. Chev. It was just after midnight so it wasn't that crash you heard from school (ironically also my primary school, but 20 years later than you!). From what I could tell from comparing old photos to todays google maps is the B17 came down (more like it came to a stop after skimming across a paddock or 2) at a still vacant paddock at 79-81 Fred Taylor Dr (the old SH16) - ending up about 50m from the current road (on the Whenuapai side). It's in an almost straight line to the south-west from the main runway at Whenupai which is the direction it took-off from that night. ...Gibbo Have this afternoon visited what I suspect is the site at which the B17 exploded - look for these co-ordinates in google maps: -36.811049, 174.597918 Comparing 4 reference points that I noted from photos in the crash report the site matches those photos 100% but I would suggest with heavy suburban growth the site will be built over in the very near future. ...Gibbo
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Post by gibbo on Jan 19, 2015 11:34:37 GMT 12
I'm vey interested in this subject owing to writing family history for my large extended family. Two Liberator crashes in 1943? I know about the one at 2.30am on 2 August into the mangroves adjacent Herald Island and what now is the Greenhithe bridge where 3 crew died and 2 crew survived also 11 Japanese & Thai women and children died and 14 survived but another died 2 days later. Total crew and passengers were 30 and 15 were killed or died withing 2 days. I was a student at Glen Eden Primary School in 1943 when one day there was a mighty explosion in the direction of Whenuapai. The building shook and the windows rattled. We were told that a Liberator bomber loaded with bombs had crashed on landing and that 14 of the 16 airmen on board had been killed. My Dad & I went to see the crash site about one week later and saw a large blackened crater with lots of debris for some distance around. This was about 50 metres off the south side of Brigham Road and mid way beween Trigg Road and the south east boundary of the airfield. This was on the fringe of the airfield. The mangrove crash was not the fringe of the airfield. An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand 1966: Disasters and Mishaps - Air Losses: Pre-war and Wartime Accidents --- the script relates to the Flying Fortress crash at 12.30am on 9 June 1942 then states, "Similarly, when a Liberator bomber a year later came to grief on the fringe of the same airfield, the public were not told until many months later that 14 out of a total compliment of 16 airmen had been killed." This is not the 15 crew and passengers out of 30 killed as per the mangrove crash. The Administrator refers to Geocities.com historical events and there too it says there were 14 killed in a Liberator bomber crash in 1943. Is this refering perhaps to the mangrove crash where 3 killed were crew and 11 passengers = 14 with another passenger dying a couple of days later? Was there infact this crash and 2 Liberators crashed on landing? One in 1943 with 14 airmen killed and 2 surviving airmen and another less traumatic crash in 1945? Where were the unexploded bombs from the Flying Fortress detonated? Maybe that is what shook our school in 1942/3 and of which my father and I saw the aftermath and not a Liberator bomber. Then again, that does not explain the 14 airmen out of 16 in a Liberater bomber crash killed of which we don't have a date. I have located and purchased the TVNZ documentary film of the Whenuapai crashes by Greenstone Pictures produced in 2003. Viewed the B17 crash report last Friday @ archives... always wondered where it was as my grandad was woken by the explosion(s) - he was sleeping in Pt. Chev. It was just after midnight so it wasn't that crash you heard from school (ironically also my primary school, but 20 years later than you!). From what I could tell from comparing old photos to todays google maps is the B17 came down (more like it came to a stop after skimming across a paddock or 2) at a still vacant paddock at 79-81 Fred Taylor Dr (the old SH16) - ending up about 50m from the current road (on the Whenuapai side). It's in an almost straight line to the south-west from the main runway at Whenupai which is the direction it took-off from that night. ...Gibbo
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Post by gibbo on Jan 19, 2015 11:02:37 GMT 12
I am trying to identify the Harvard shown in the following photograph (RNZAF Museum). The serial number seems to end in 8 and I think it is a Mk II which would limit it to one of NZ908, NZ918, .., NZ998? Possibly this event - from For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Two: Fates 1943-1998): Sat 4 Aug 1945 NEW ZEALAND Air-air practice attacks 2 Operational Training Unit, RNZAF (Ohakea)Harvard IIA NZ1035 - on a diving pass at 0930 the port wing struck the tail of the target aircraft (NZ1048). The latter’s tail disintegrated, the aircraft spiralling into the ground on Mr Dalrymple’s farm at Parewanui, SW of Ohakea, where it burst into flames. With part of its port wing sheered off, NZ1035 entered a shallow spiral, recovered momentarily, then flicked over and crashed about 1000 yards away on the same property. The pilot is buried at Christchurch. Pilot: NZ4313159 Sgt Charles Roderick GRAY, RNZAF - Age 20. 138hrs solo (85 on Harvard) Gray’s father, Douglas Wanklyn Gray, was a First World War pilot who served in the RNAS and RAF, and, for a short time afterwards, the Canterbury (NZ) Aviation Company.2 Operational Training Unit, RNZAF (Ohakea)Harvard IIA NZ1048 - collided in mid-air with NZ1035 as described in the previous entry. The pilot is buried at Otahuhu. Pilot: NZ4310378 Sgt Warren Selwyn SHARPE, RNZAF - Age 20. 148hrs solo (93 on Harvard) Errol ...sorry, having fun getting used to the post function first time round! I've been reading this forum for a few years but never quite managed to register! Have done so now as I have info about this particular thread that can definitely eliminate NZ1048. I've been tracing my late Dad's best mate 'Rory' Gray who was killed in the collision between NZ1035 & NZ1048. Just last Friday I visted Archives in Wgtn & viewed the crash report, which included a few photos of both a/c afterwards. Both were well beyond salvage but NZ1048 was totally disintegrated & fire damaged so it certainly wasn't NZ1048.
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