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Post by Bruce on Jan 18, 2006 10:51:33 GMT 12
According to the news item below, the RNZAF has landed a P3 at Pegasus field, antarctica as a trial, to determine the feasibility of basing there during southern ocean toothfish patrols - one more exotic locale that 5 Sqn has been seen! www.tvnz.co.nz/view/page/423466/650776 |
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Post by turboNZ on Jan 19, 2006 6:20:01 GMT 12
Maybe now they can start arming the P3's to torpedo the Jap Whaling ships,..oops, I mean "Research" ships  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 19, 2006 9:02:51 GMT 12
Crikey that's interesting. Have any other nations landed Orions on the Antarctic cpntinent before?
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 19, 2006 10:03:40 GMT 12
I think the RNZAF have sent Orions to Antartica before, haven't they?
Australia used to fly Neptunes down to their stations on Antarctica to drop off supplies during the 1960s and 70s, but I don't think they've ever sent Orions down there.
What about the Yanks; they seem to just about have had everything else down there at various times?
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Post by rnzafhusband on Jan 19, 2006 13:03:05 GMT 12
Hey guys, as my wife is Aircrew on 5Sqn, I believe it is the first ever RNZAF P3K to vist the ice. It could even be the first ever P3 on the ice as it is classified as a military aircraft and I think there were some international political requirements that had to be met before it was possible for it to land there. Other military aircraft that fly there are classified as "transports" and not "possible" war fighting machines.....this apparently makes a difference due to various Antarctic treaties.
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Post by Bruce on Jan 19, 2006 14:17:26 GMT 12
Certainly would be an exciting short term posting once the patrols got under way (providing you take your woolies...) It looks totally stunning but it is a long way from anywhere.
I was interested in the report on TVNZ which noted a few minor issues - as one of the few low wing aircraft to operate off the ice runway, they found some issues with the engine exhaust melting the ice. It also Partly melted its tyres into the ice while it was stopped - I guess some form of parking mat would sort that issue easily enough. I wonder if they would use some form of Hi vis markings during these ops - or would they return to white as camoflage? Do they use the low vis camo when sneaking up on toothfish poachers and research whalers? Sounds like an interesting time operationally for 5 sqn!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 21, 2006 11:12:57 GMT 12
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