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Post by ErrolC on Apr 23, 2012 13:26:10 GMT 12
So, albeit within the belly of a C17, the very last flight for an RNZAF Skyhawk! Unless the deal for the training in the USA actually happens...
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Post by skyhawkdon on Apr 23, 2012 14:59:50 GMT 12
My money is on the C-17 for the last flight!
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Post by Calum on Apr 23, 2012 22:40:31 GMT 12
Talking to the Safe guys today the deal is pretty solid. Deposit paid (buyer has plenty of cash) and a servicing scheme for restoring the aircraft to flight has been worked out. The avionics packages are being cycled through a repair facility with 2 aircraft sets completed. The aircraft will fly with the Kahu avionics which is cool (to an avionics geek anyway) Oh, here's some shots of 55. I took about 700 photos of it, mainly as a walkround for model references. It's been bastardised a bit to look like a G which is kinda sad for me but understandable as it will be repainted later this year as TA-4G 880. It looks in pretty good condition al things considered (the patch on the tail doesn't look that bad up close. I resisted the urge to sit in it one last time I'll try and get some more when it is handed over on Friday (I think)
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Post by Damon on Apr 23, 2012 22:48:07 GMT 12
Thanks for posting the pic's Calum.A flyer AY ! Old Helen didnt see that coming did she? !
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Post by nige on Apr 23, 2012 22:51:35 GMT 12
They don't muck around, eh, getting it restored Just curious, what's the patch on the tail made out of (metal, wood, fibreglass, the original pre-kahu piece etc)?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 23, 2012 22:55:14 GMT 12
Is that a Vampire behind it in desert colours? More shots of that would be of interest too please Calum. What a shame they have sold the other eight. I was hoping that the RNZAF might drop them from an Iroquois at future airshows since dropping cars is becoming boring to some people.
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Post by Calum on Apr 24, 2012 8:54:30 GMT 12
Thanks for posting the pic's Calum.A flyer AY ! Old Helen didnt see that coming did she? ! Whilst 55 could theoretically fly I doubt it will. The others going to the US were the ones I was referring to
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Post by Calum on Apr 24, 2012 8:55:33 GMT 12
Is that a Vampire behind it in desert colours? More shots of that would be of interest too please Calum. What a shame they have sold the other eight. I was hoping that the RNZAF might drop them from an Iroquois at future airshows since dropping cars is becoming boring to some people. It's an ex Singaporean AF Hunter Dave. From the same batch as the one in NZ
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Post by Calum on Apr 24, 2012 8:56:44 GMT 12
They don't muck around, eh, getting it restored Just curious, what's the patch on the tail made out of (metal, wood, fibreglass, the original pre-kahu piece etc)? The fin tip is fibreglass, the patch over the VOR/ILS antenna holes in metal
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Post by mumbles on Apr 24, 2012 13:39:12 GMT 12
Talking to the Safe guys today the deal is pretty solid. Deposit paid (buyer has plenty of cash) and a servicing scheme for restoring the aircraft to flight has been worked out. Nice to know some of them will be flying again it seems, even if not here. I'm wondering if there will be some test flying done at Woodbourne before shipping.
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Post by Calum on Apr 24, 2012 18:18:48 GMT 12
Sam, I get the impression work wiil be done overseas as any flying in NZ would need NZCAA approval
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Post by ZacYates on Apr 24, 2012 20:15:11 GMT 12
It looks more like an early MiG to me as opposed to a Hunter....?
Great to see her there, and that the team is working to get her presentable again. Awesome :-)
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Post by mumbles on Apr 24, 2012 20:30:01 GMT 12
It looks more like an early MiG to me as opposed to a Hunter....? You're right Zac, it looks like a MiG-15 to me (or maybe a -17 at a pinch).
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Post by ErrolC on Apr 24, 2012 20:51:14 GMT 12
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Post by skyhawkdon on Apr 24, 2012 21:01:14 GMT 12
Nice that the Safe Air and RNZAF guys assembling '55 will be there for ANZAC Day. I've got lots of good memories of Nowra ANZAC Days! ;D
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Post by Calum on Apr 25, 2012 10:18:02 GMT 12
It looks more like an early MiG to me as opposed to a Hunter....? Great to see her there, and that the team is working to get her presentable again. Awesome :-) You're right, from looking at the photos I posted it is the Mig 17 you can see in the background. The Hunter is on the other side. Both it and the Hunter have been removed from the museum to make room for the Sea King and 55. They are being returned to their owners as they don't fit with the museums collection poliy (FAA aircraft) Here's some shots of the Mig (yes it is purple and light green) Here's the Hunter Apologies for the poor pictures these were taken at high iso and no flash
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Post by ZacYates on Apr 25, 2012 10:52:08 GMT 12
I love that the Hunter is in Rhodesian(?) colours as opposed to Singaporean or that bizarre mix our own ZK-JIL features. Thanks for sharing!
And now back to the Skyhawk. I'm very keen to see pics from today.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 25, 2012 14:19:28 GMT 12
ZK-JIL is back in Singaporean markings now, isn't it?
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Post by mumbles on Apr 25, 2012 16:05:09 GMT 12
ZK-JIL is back in Singaporean markings now, isn't it? Yes, it looks like the roundels were corrected to old-style Singaporean when it was returned to flight recently.
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Post by mumbles on Apr 25, 2012 16:07:06 GMT 12
They are being returned to their owners as they don't fit with the museums collection poliy (FAA aircraft) I admit I was struggling to see the connection between those aircraft and the RAN/FAA! Unless they were being held for trade/exchange etc.
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