Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 6, 2006 1:13:16 GMT 12
Here's a shot of a No. 2 Squadron RNZAF F-16 Fighting Falcon, taken on the tarmac at Ohakea at the last open day. It was visiting from its usual base at Nowra.
This was the first of the two seaters to have the 'Kararea' avionics update package done, and though the RNZAF's aircraft were older F-16A/B models, the modifications have made them the most sofisticated in the world.
Originally the order for 26 F-16's was considered a big step in 1998 to replace the aging A-4K Skyhawks, but in 2001 when the war on terror erupted, the NZ Government decided to act prudently in its defence and began to overhaul the RNZAF and added a further 20 fighters to the arsenal, as well two new helicopter squadrons and ten new C130J's to complement the two new Boeing 757's of No. 40 Squadron. A medium transport squadron was also established to fill the gap left by the retirement of the Andover fleet, with the CASA transports forming No. 41 Squadron.
Ten two seater F-16's are now operated by No. 2 Squadron at Nowra, Australia in the operational training role, following on from the No. 14 Squadron MB-339K Maachis. And the single seat version are operated by No. 75 Squadron from Ohakea, No. 1 Squadron at Whenuapai in Auckland, and No. 4 Squadron from Harewood, Christchurch.
The No. 2 Squadron aircraft conduct much low level, high speed work over the ocean, which causes the paint to age quickly, as seen here.
No, it just doesn't seem right, does it. I must have been having a bad dream....
This was the first of the two seaters to have the 'Kararea' avionics update package done, and though the RNZAF's aircraft were older F-16A/B models, the modifications have made them the most sofisticated in the world.
Originally the order for 26 F-16's was considered a big step in 1998 to replace the aging A-4K Skyhawks, but in 2001 when the war on terror erupted, the NZ Government decided to act prudently in its defence and began to overhaul the RNZAF and added a further 20 fighters to the arsenal, as well two new helicopter squadrons and ten new C130J's to complement the two new Boeing 757's of No. 40 Squadron. A medium transport squadron was also established to fill the gap left by the retirement of the Andover fleet, with the CASA transports forming No. 41 Squadron.
Ten two seater F-16's are now operated by No. 2 Squadron at Nowra, Australia in the operational training role, following on from the No. 14 Squadron MB-339K Maachis. And the single seat version are operated by No. 75 Squadron from Ohakea, No. 1 Squadron at Whenuapai in Auckland, and No. 4 Squadron from Harewood, Christchurch.
The No. 2 Squadron aircraft conduct much low level, high speed work over the ocean, which causes the paint to age quickly, as seen here.
No, it just doesn't seem right, does it. I must have been having a bad dream....
