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Post by gibbo on Dec 11, 2022 15:45:34 GMT 12
Latest (Dec22) AirForce news has a notice about cocktail party to be held early next year to see NZ7003 off as she becomes the first C-130H(NZ) to be retired. Vague on detail but it's about to start... boy 40 Sqn will be even more hard pressed then normal between then & when all 5 C130J-30 are in service... close to 2 years AIUI.
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Post by gibbo on Dec 11, 2022 15:38:45 GMT 12
Not sure Dave... going by the lack of any change in Flight Radar 24 from yesterday I'm assuming so. So, hoping for a flypast at Whenuapai and a circuit around the Waitemata before going to Ohakea? Maybe even a low fast pass across Laucala Bay after leaving Nadi...not that anyone there now would understand the significance!
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Post by gibbo on Dec 11, 2022 15:04:49 GMT 12
Is the Poseidon still in Fiji? Not sure Dave... going by the lack of any change in Flight Radar 24 from yesterday I'm assuming so.
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Post by gibbo on Dec 11, 2022 14:51:41 GMT 12
Not sure if the P-8 is still in Fiji but currently 7572 is heading back from Honolulu. I assume something to do with the P-8? According to Flight Radar 24 NZ7572 departed RAF Brize Norton on Dec 7th...more likely she's been in the UK doing something in relation to the Ukraine support effort. Currently (4pm Sun 11th) showing as KIW359 heading south-west of Tonga on a straight run to NZ. I'm assuming NZ4801 will arrive to ministerial fanfare so maybe Monday... maybe they're out buying the cheese & crackers now & putting the champers on ice.
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Post by gibbo on Dec 10, 2022 9:53:57 GMT 12
I was wondering, as they do not generally operate so low as the P-3K2's, or at least not yet, will the P-8s require a Bird Bath at Ohakea to wash the salt water from the airframe? Is one part of the new infrastructure going in there? Or is it totally not necessary? Just been looking at Flight Radar 24 & Flightaware... damn was in Fiji last week, if only me & the other half had been a week later (spent our last night in 'Hotel Faded Glory' after AirNZ cancelled our flight... the food was shite but at least it was right under the flight-path of the smaller east - west runway). This old press release mentions a 'wash down' area but not specific about what form that'll take.. but something the size of a P8 will certainly require more than just a chamois! www.beehive.govt.nz/release/building-base-p-8a-poseidon-fleetReally looking forward to the arrival of 01... just not looking forward to the nauseating platitudes the Govt will shower itself with about how much they are investing in the NZDF. Oi Santa...where's my f**king EMAC project?
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Post by gibbo on Dec 9, 2022 7:35:23 GMT 12
Interesting that the radome is all over grey? Yes, and weirdly the Boeing twitter page shows it black so it's been changed!
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Post by gibbo on Dec 8, 2022 18:14:46 GMT 12
How do they expect to attract new recruits with the stupid advertising they are using? I saw this one recently in Hamilton and wondered what the f$*k it was meant to tell the viewer. Um, it's not too hard to work out what they're trying to convey... they're saying 'we're so friggin desperate for new recruits we'll give away free meals of Italian origin to just get you in the door!'
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Post by gibbo on Dec 8, 2022 18:08:11 GMT 12
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Post by gibbo on Nov 3, 2022 22:54:38 GMT 12
From my For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices): SEAVILL, Wing Commander Francis Cecil. 29216; b Parnell, Auckland 17 Jun 10; Wanganui Collegiate; farmer - at? Auckland Aero Club, 'A' Licence 2 Nov 29, recommended for RAF SSComm, emb for UK c.Sep 30, selected for RAF SSComm; RAF Depôt as Pilot u/t & SSComm 29 Dec 30, 2FTS 10 Jan 31, Pilots Badge, 57 Sqn (Hart) 29 Dec 31 [anti-gas cse 24 Oct-12 Nov 32], to Aden & 8 Sqn (Fairey IIIF) 8 Feb 33, to UK & Depôt 21 Jun 34, CFS (various a/c types) 23 Jul 34, 5FTS (various a/c types) as FI 22 Oct 34, 10FTS (various a/c types) 17 Jan 36 [as CGI from 8 Apr 37], PComm 1 Jun 36, HQ Trg Cmd for staff duties 9 Nov 38, SDL & to 'Air Force Headquarters, Canada' [= RCAF HQ Ottawa?] for staff duties 15 Jan 40, rtd to UK & 1 Depôt 19 Apr 42, Refresher Flying Trg Sch (Oxford) 7 May 42, 16OTU (Wellington) 2 Jun 42, 22OTU (Wellington) 10 Jun 42, 487 Sqn RNZAF (Ventura - 1 op) as CO 20 Aug 42, kao 6 Dec 42. Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery - 3.C.9, North Brabant, Netherlands. Son of Walter & Aileen May Seavill (née Hull), Auckland; h of Helen Isabel Seavill, Crondall, Hants., England. [OHT1 & OHT2]. Errol I understand it was his first combat operation - is that correct?
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Post by gibbo on Oct 31, 2022 21:08:20 GMT 12
"Potentially" is political-speak for Yes! I guess it's all about perception, as saw 'potentially' as a pure & simple exercise of sitting on the fence and committing neither way. Granted it leaves the door slightly ajar compared to the emphatic 'no' from both main parties over the last 20 years but I wouldn't read anything into it... in fact I think he's astute enough to realise saying 'no' would be seen to be too out of touch with the current reality, so his 'boss' would've told him to straddle that fence! He'll be there for a long time too cos the RNZAF is so far off being able to operate an ACF, even 'ACF lite' that he's going to have a numb backside before he's, hopefully, out of the DefMin job.
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Post by gibbo on Oct 31, 2022 12:12:57 GMT 12
This may be a little bold but I suggest some A4K Skyhawks as our Canberra replacements. They are getting some great reviews. LOL... finger-eye co-ordination issues! Rather topical subject with C-130H going u/s on the ice.....sigh, all good though, new C-130J-30 a couple of years away, pity we won't have enough of those either!
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Post by gibbo on Oct 26, 2022 20:18:10 GMT 12
It seems a bit rich that the very people who are responsible for running the military down should have an expectation of VIP transport capability. Maybe if they gave the armed forces proper respect and resource that capability might exist. Until then it should be either commercial flights or the back of a Herc. Anyway, in my mind there’s a good chance we’ll be trading islands with the Chinese in the near future and we should prepare for that. We’ll need as much capability as possible to move men and kit around and combi airliners won’t get into short dirt strips, never mind with a chopper in the back (even if stripped down). We can’t get C-17s so A400 is the only option to me. We’d likely be under US command as well so C-17-level strategic airlift might not even be a concern! Yes agreed my 'should have' list would look very different to my musings on a B57 replacement which is from my 'what's realistically likely' list.
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Post by gibbo on Oct 25, 2022 15:52:49 GMT 12
The RAAF is operating two leased B737 BBJ's A good friend of mine in Australia owns a company that refitted the interiors of the two aircraft to meet RAAF requirements IIRC the RAAF BBJ's are specifically fitted out for PAX/VIP work...not a luxury NZ can afford as we have political parties that don't give a rats *rse about Defence...very unlike that in Australia. I do see merit in a leased VIP /occasional PAX aircraft with a mil Spec lifter alongside...but I just don't see the project brief going in that direction. Mind you the planned defence review & likely capability plan to follow may re-visit that...but that's going to be 3-4 years... just in time to replace the B757 in 2028 that was most recently touted! I must admit I'm guilty of putting more importance on a 3rd operational aircraft for the sake of greater availability but what's other's thinking on this? Is 2 of a bigger type (longer range & greater capacity) better than 3 of a slightly smaller (less range & less capacity) type? Here's my thinking... the first point being I assume it's a given the RNZAF get another ex-airliner or airliner based type... with combi capability. Given we need more aircraft and much of that work will be regionally focused...and that the B757 often doesn't fly with all it's seating and/or freight holds full (also factoring in clearly the RNZAF is still prepared to fly Antarctica without the range to have a PONR over the ice)... would 3 x new C40 (one of sub-types) offer better outcomes than 2 larger types? if a job requires greater capacity send 2 of them... (assuming tasking can be organised around maintenance downtime). If commonality with P8A engines is an option that would help but I appreciate the 2 types are light-years apart otherwise. Dunno, just seems a logical way to meet a higher % of 40 sqn's taskings needs whilst affording greater availability.
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Post by gibbo on Oct 24, 2022 19:27:53 GMT 12
OMG I wish media (and others who should know better!) would stop referring to the B757 as 'VIP aircraft'... the VIP role is only a smallish part, albeit higher profile, of what they do. Wayne Mapp once stated in a 'Line of Defence' article they should be replaced with 3 x A321... the most important take-way from that is not the type nor the possible roles that would offer, but an important acknowledgement that 2 airframes is not enough. The narrative needs to move away from VIP & start looking at the other work they more-often do... deployment support; Antarctic support; freight transport (on and/or below main-deck); strategic options etc. Let's face it, they won't get a military lifter as a replacement, it'll be airliner based, but if everyone keeps talking VIP then the RNZAF won't get the all important 3rd airframe nor will they likely get something with combi capability. So one wonders does this indicate the B757 replacement is being brought forward, or does this still sit within the 2028 timeframe!?! I’d wondered the same thing Gibbo. I think if we can’t have C-17s then maybe it should be A400s. C17 would be great but there doesn't look like anyone willing to part with theirs, and due to their size we'd never get 3. A400M... no thanks, RNZAF will be looking for something off the shelf (new or 2nd hand) that are as reliable as possible & has a proven servicing & parts supply chain in our part of the world to back it up... that kind of kills off the A400M I'm afraid. I also assume the RNZAF is going to be realistic about their expectations (of Govt) and will most likely look at another ex-airliner, hopefully still with a combi config. Not a lot that ticks every box but the RNZAF has now had B727 / B757 capability for 40 years and they seem fairly ok with that. I'm picking the need for the ability to get to & from Antarctica without landing is more a 'nice to have' than a 'must have' otherwise they'd have stopped C-130 & B757 flights by now.
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Post by gibbo on Oct 24, 2022 9:43:45 GMT 12
OMG I wish media (and others who should know better!) would stop referring to the B757 as 'VIP aircraft'... the VIP role is only a smallish part, albeit higher profile, of what they do. Wayne Mapp once stated in a 'Line of Defence' article they should be replaced with 3 x A321... the most important take-way from that is not the type nor the possible roles that would offer, but an important acknowledgement that 2 airframes is not enough. The narrative needs to move away from VIP & start looking at the other work they more-often do... deployment support; Antarctic support; freight transport (on and/or below main-deck); strategic options etc. Let's face it, they won't get a military lifter as a replacement, it'll be airliner based, but if everyone keeps talking VIP then the RNZAF won't get the all important 3rd airframe nor will they likely get something with combi capability. So one wonders does this indicate the B757 replacement is being brought forward, or does this still sit within the 2028 timeframe!?!
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Post by gibbo on Oct 20, 2022 22:20:57 GMT 12
Oopsie, sorry that was me... meant totally tongue-in-cheek :-( Hadn't seen other posts...
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Post by gibbo on Oct 18, 2022 15:52:40 GMT 12
Is this an ex-RNZAF aircraft from WW2? Yes Hell then yes this definitely must stay in NZ... altho to be honest I have no faith in any official body having the forethought, or balls, to enforce that. I guess seeing as it was overseas for much of the last century it will be hard to argue it should now remain here... Hello Mr Brendon Deere, got any spare change burning a hole in your pocket?
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Post by gibbo on Oct 17, 2022 14:07:40 GMT 12
Is this an ex-RNZAF aircraft from WW2?
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Post by gibbo on Oct 17, 2022 9:49:11 GMT 12
Interesting interview for those who may have missed it? Interested to hear what people think here Yes very interesting... I guess the biggest & most positive take-away from this is an open acknowledgement that there is a critical retention problem & that the $90M recently announced is not enough to turn that around. For the last 30 years or so Govt's have chosen to bury their heads in the sand over that very same point. The sceptic in me of course says that they had no choice to acknowledge it given the state the NZDF finds itself in now... but it's refreshing to see it openly acknowledged & admission that a plan needs to be put in place to reverse that. As to the rest, Jack Tame is right in that previous reviews have also pointed out all the same challenges with regard to climate change & the influence of China...so why do we need to review again when we should just be getting on with it? I'm no fan of Henare as DefMin but he's finally managed to make some coherent sense! COVID has changed the ballpark, both in the retention stakes & on the budgetary front. Since the last review there has also been two very obvious changes that will be driving a review... (1) China's much more visible plan of action in the SC Sea & more importantly in the SouPac...along with the rising tension over Taiwan - ie: more overt talk & action (2) the Russia invasion of Ukraine. Both have an impact for NZ, as Henare admits. The timing of course isn't great... a new defence review starting a year out from an election that the incumbent will likely struggle to win (frankly)... the BIG thing now is to see what National's response to this is...if they don't say much in support, I'd be very worried given they'll be looking for big $$ savings...and we know who that whipping by usually is! The retention issue does not need to wait for a review so that should progress ...sounds like maybe they acknowledge that. As to hardware, well yes we know we are pitifully equipped. To take Tame's example of drones etc... most other militaries are streaks ahead with drone capability whereas the NZDF has all along seemed reluctant to get into that space in any seriousness, why the hell is that precisely!?! I did hear ( unsubstantiated) whispers that Navy divers were thinking they'd be put out of a job if the Navy invested in remote-controlled mine clearance technology etc... maybe the attitudes in the services need to change... but isn't that a leadership issue! Anyway I could be wrong on that so please don't hang me on that example, but happy to be corrected! The make-up of the review is clearly one with a focus on foreign affairs etc but that is to be expected I guess. Good to hear Henare put a focus on the RNZN but would like to see the RNZAF role given more prominence too (I'll play my broke record of 'EMAC' again here... invest in the capability now!). With regard to hardware, yes that will only become clear when a review is made then followed by a new capability review / plan so factoring in the election...years away yet! I'd suggest anyone salivating over questions about the possibility of an ACF, don't read to much into that at this point... the NZDF is so far away from being able to support such a capability at present and given there are so many other more critical needs that all he's really done is sensibly batted that away with the standard 'puff' can't rule it out (& therefore nor can he rule it in!). At the end of the day it is good to finally see a DefMin openly acknowledging the obvious so maybe, just maybe, NZ's thinking is starting to turn a corner. However a review means little unless there is the budget to then follow through with the recommendations. Hopefully it also won't be an exercise in refocusing way from combat capability. Given the open admissions now about real security concerns it would be extremely difficult for any future Govt to talk down investment in core military capability. Just don't expect a huge lift in spending!
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Post by gibbo on Oct 12, 2022 21:53:45 GMT 12
Re: "With Prejudice" by Lord Tedder. I do recommend. Tedder eventually became Allied Deputy Supreme Commander under Eisenhower. Awesome, thx oj...it's now on my 'list'
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