Eurocopter NH90 helicopters

[Dave Homewood]

I met her mother, Dame Cath Tizard, when i was training at Hobsonville and she made an official visit to the base as Governor General. We students from No. 1 TTS were merely there as rent-a-crowd at the Sticky Bun Fight after she'd visited the squadrons, etc, so we were most pleased that she singled out our group for a chat. She seemed most supportive of the RNZAF. Her husband, or was he ex-husband, Bob Tizard had also been in the RNZAF in WWII from memory and he'd later been Minister of Defence.

I doubt Cath and Bob would have squadered money so frivalently on art when Defence is in such need.

[phil82]

I met Bob Tizard at a formal dinner at Whenuapai... he was about twenty-three sheets to the wind when he arrived!

[SEAN]

I am not sure if this was covered in the seven previous pages on this subject (I gave up at page 3), but I do recall some discussion on the actual numbers of NH90's being purchased.

As we know the contract was for eight flying NH90's, but we did in fact buy nine. The ninth is being broken down as rotables and spares. It was actually cheaper to buy a whole complete helicopter and break it down, than buy the spare package on offer. I understand that there will be a ninth airframe delivered , but with nothing in it.....

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Sean, that clears that issue up. Amazing how it works out cheaper that way.