Question for the current RNZAF service people

[Dave Homewood]

With everything else that has disappeared from the infrastructure of the RNZAF since I left, I was wondering, does the AFCC still exist?

The Armed Forces Canteen Council staff did a wonderful job on the bases when i was in, providing both Dry Canteens and Cafe's for service people to relax in, or get a bargain at.

And they used to have a wonderful selection of RNZAF merchandise at the Canteens which you couldn't buy elsewhere (except in some cases the RNZAF Museum), such as books, videos, posters, pennants, crests, etc.

[phil]

It still exists, although they have re-branded themselves 'Hotshots', essentially they are still the same shop/cafe.

I'm not sure about getting a bargain, our's at Ohakea seems a lot more profit driven than it used to be.

There is still a bit of merhandise to be had, but I don't think that gets sold to serving members as much as to kids and ATC.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Phil. Hotshots, it just reminds me of Charlie Sheen in a Gnat! Still rebranding isn't knew, in WWII the same job was done by the YMCA on RNZAF Stations.

In my day they looked after service people well, I bought my first VCR at Whenuapai's Canteen, much cheaper than in town. And the beer was always cheap there. Hobsonville Canteen was also the Cafe together, and was really great for us trainees to kill time on weekends, playing pinball and pool. Now gone I believe.

The merchandise I'm most interested is if any RNZAF related videos or DVD's come out via them that aren't widely available.

[phil]

No we haven't had anything like RNZAF DVDs available through the canteen.

There was a short DVD put out a couple of months ago by the PR people, I haven't watched it though.