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Post by pepe on Apr 10, 2022 12:28:01 GMT 12
LAV wouldn't be much more use than a HiLux,they are only Light Armoured, anything more than a 7.62mm round can get through. Did we buy a lemon then? The 8 x NZLAV's that eventually went to Afganistan had their armour protection improved before they deployed. A ceramic applique armour (MEXAS) was used and increased their protection up to and including 14.5mm Heavy rounds. This was a big improvement over the Hiluxs and Humvees they had been using. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEXAS
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Post by pepe on Apr 6, 2022 12:40:12 GMT 12
Perhaps it's the pessimist in me but my interpretation of Mr Luxon's comments were that "we like the theory of increased Defence spending, but due to our proposed tax changes it may not be affordable". I'm not sure I will be holding my breath.
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Post by pepe on Apr 6, 2022 12:04:40 GMT 12
What a great article! Who knew a New Zealander has such an early and important influence over the Middle East oil industry.
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Post by pepe on Mar 31, 2022 19:28:42 GMT 12
Do we really need yet another thread on the same subject? There have been a few threads "bumped" recently discussing the same things...
(Whoops, Dave beat me to it)
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Post by pepe on Mar 30, 2022 19:23:35 GMT 12
A nice view of RWY06 but I am pretty sure Onerahi is not New Zealand's shortest runway... It's the shortest Air New Zealand operate to, that's probably where that misinformation has come from. Yes, I suspected that was what they meant. I believe the Q300s are under already under some operational restrictions operating out of there.
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Post by pepe on Mar 29, 2022 21:19:05 GMT 12
Looks to me that you could extend the existing runway by about another third with a bit of in-fill without it looking any worse than Wellington. I hope that is being costed out and discussed. Just have to overcome some NIMBY's and the RMA is supposed to be getting watered down to make things easier for new works. Within the time scale projected, newer and better performing aircraft will be available. If not, resurrect the Fairey Rotodyne concept and run with that. Moving 20km out of town is a retrograde step. The 2nd approach photo is a bit decieving. Onerahi has an elevation of @130ft asl (Wellington is @ 40ft asl) There are very steep embankments at both ends of the runway (note the different levels the houses are on). The infill/extension options were researched and discarded years ago.
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Post by pepe on Mar 29, 2022 20:45:58 GMT 12
A nice view of RWY06 but I am pretty sure Onerahi is not New Zealand's shortest runway...
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Post by pepe on Mar 15, 2022 9:07:45 GMT 12
They never had the crews to operate these ships Shorty. They did very little sea work in those 12 years. Another good Labour defence purchase! Buy ships and don't provide any budget to crew them... It seems ironic but if the Irish media and Forums are to be believed, currently their own defence forces have exactly the same problem.
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Post by pepe on Mar 14, 2022 8:27:04 GMT 12
From the Royal New Zealand Navy's Facebook page: "They have the ships.” The Republic of Ireland Department of Defence have formally purchased our two decommissioned Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), ex HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki. Sold for NZ$36 million, a condition of the sale is for them to be brought up to an operational seaworthiness standard. This work will cost about NZ$16-$19 million and be carried out in New Zealand commercial shipyards providing a local economic boost. Once this work is completed, they will be commercially sea-lifted to the Republic of Ireland in early 2023. Built in Whangarei and commissioned in 2009, the two ships have been deployed on fishery monitoring, search and rescue, border security and maritime surveillance operations. But more and more of this work is being conducted by our Offshore Patrol Vessels. "The two remaining IPVs in the Royal New Zealand Navy fleet, HMNZS Hawea and HMNZS Taupo, still have a valuable role to play in meeting the tasks required of the Navy. These ships will continue to provide important Officer of the Watch training and command opportunities for our junior officers.” ~ Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor MORE ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/ipv-sale I am curious at as why it is costing so much (@ 50% of sale price) to regenerate two relatively low mileage ships that have only been in Lloyds Lay class survey since October 2019. It seems a pretty good early St Patricks Day gift for the Irish.
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Post by pepe on Mar 11, 2022 20:28:36 GMT 12
Fast Jets are a non starter for many reasons. From a South China Sea POW, any imagined larger defence budget would most effectively be absorbed by Additional P-8s -It's really the only platform in our OOB that is first team. New frigates - maybe a 3rd? New helicopters for the Navy - With ASW capbaility! The above would be a very expensive shopping list! And the following could be added to the list: - Replacement of the Boeing 757's with more capable multi role aircraft - UAV's (Airforce & Army) and Loitering munitions. - Replacement of HMNZS Canterbury (e.g. LPD) - Some form of air defence for the Army (other than firing their rifles in the air...)
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Post by pepe on Mar 11, 2022 20:01:40 GMT 12
Though the NH90's are fairly useful... Surely we can find a use for fast jets? Great recruitment tools at airshows?
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Post by pepe on Mar 11, 2022 10:10:38 GMT 12
Bout the same as a NH90. Crack on Though the NH90's are fairly useful...
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Post by pepe on Mar 3, 2022 8:08:29 GMT 12
I assume it is based upon Operation Carthage in March 1945. They achieved the objective of destroying Gestapo Headquarters in Copenhagen but also hit a Catholic Girls School sadly resulting in significant casualties.
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Post by pepe on Mar 2, 2022 20:45:07 GMT 12
The South China Sea invasion already happened .. by stealth. Not sure what other change in our neck of the woods you are waiting for. PLA base in South Pacific? The tug of war over a few atolls in the South China Sea has been going on for decades. It hasn't been much of a secret and certainly doesn't seem to have prompted any increase in defence expenditure. I am all for a larger Defence budget, but I would probably spend it in other other areas (e.g. UAV's) well before restoring fast air. Those Ukrainian TB-2's seem to have been annoying those Russians quite a bit. Their Mig-29, SU-24 & 27's less so...
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Post by pepe on Mar 2, 2022 8:12:52 GMT 12
Given recent global events, this must now be a serious topic for govt consideration. What's the likely best way forward? At the moment I very much doubt it is a topic for serious Govt. consideration. Europe is a fairly distant place. If something similar was occuring closer to home (e.g. South China Sea) then there may be more concern (though I am still doubtful).
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Post by pepe on Feb 13, 2022 10:06:10 GMT 12
Also not being a fashionista, but i would suggest that style is more reminiscent of the bad taste 1990s. The padded ankle part (likely vinyl), the zipper and the rubber sole(and tread pattern) aren't features from the '60s. It also looks in pretty good condition for a boot that has supposedly been exposed to a harsh mountain environment for 60 years...
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Post by pepe on Feb 10, 2022 20:03:21 GMT 12
There isn't a second runway at Tokoroa though you could use the grass verge alongside the sealed strip at a pinch. Over to Youtube to solve the mystery. It appears the Cessna (and student pilot) was already in the circuit. The Fletcher joins straight in behind him (as they do... ) on right base. The Cessna had too much height on finals and makes an early decision to go round again. The Fletcher has, therefore, adequate time and space to land. It get's talked up quite alot on the clip but was far from drama that is portrayed.
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Post by pepe on Feb 10, 2022 8:02:40 GMT 12
I would not actually call the Tokoroa photos a near miss. I suggest the Fletcher pilot is well in control of the separation.
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Post by pepe on Feb 2, 2022 8:38:41 GMT 12
They spent the money on attaching those two RR RB.211's to the rear fuselage ( a la DC-9). The climb rate has gone off the chart. Unfortunately so has fuel consumption...
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Post by pepe on Jan 9, 2022 10:55:14 GMT 12
I read not too long ago that the fabled Polish cavalry charge against the invading Germans never actually happened, and was just propaganda (I assume from the Germans to prove how backwards the Poles were?). Strange as a lot of Poles seem to have claimed they were in that charge. The 2NZEF were what was known as mechanised infantry in the desert war and as they travelled into battle by truck, rather than on foot like a lot of the other divisions, they were always part of the vanguard in a battle as they had the elements of speed and surprise, leading to their successes so often. But as David says, horses still played a big part in home defence. The NZ Home Guard had some big mounted units too, particularly in rural coastal regions like Hawkes Bay and Canterbury. Oddly the German Army actually had many cavalry units of it's own including units comprising of the famous Cossack horsemen. These units were in action right up to the end of the war. www.axishistory.com/list-all-categories/150-germany-heer/heer-divisionen/3903-1-kosaken-kavallerie-division
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