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Post by camtech on Nov 13, 2013 22:02:12 GMT 12
Certainly they were deployed extensively.
I deployed to Singapore with '29 in 1978 in support of a Vanguard. During that deployment, we flew up via Aussie (3 days each way), then deployed back to Ishwahudy, also to Bangkok, Butterworth, Brunei. Also a trip up to the Solomons, as far as Ringi Cove.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 13, 2013 23:40:18 GMT 12
The principal dimensions given in the 0000 course book are:
Wing span 98ft 3in Overall length 78ft Overall height 30ft 1in
Undercarriage
Type Tricycle, retractable Track 27ft 9in Wheel base 23ft 9in
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Post by whispers on Nov 14, 2013 15:03:03 GMT 12
I was on 42 sqn when we got the Andovers. Did a lot of trips ro aussie and and arounD the islands. It was great when we got riD of the feery tanKs. and yes Dave you would of seen the odd andover at norfolk Island.To go any where apart from tonga wehad to have a pit stop at Norfolk. After i left i think they raised the auw to 53. They actully had a proviso to up to 55. I think the only time they went up to 55 was when they ferried them home from England
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 14, 2013 15:24:17 GMT 12
What does AUW mean?
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Post by phil82 on Nov 14, 2013 15:30:53 GMT 12
All Up Weight...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 14, 2013 15:31:34 GMT 12
Ah, of course. Thanks.
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r22dave
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by r22dave on Nov 14, 2013 23:41:22 GMT 12
I was one of the original loadies on Andovers. What a great aircraft. When I was on 3 Sqn, God bless him, S/L Punchcy Patterson asked me if would like to go on Andovers. I didn't have to be asked twice. As regards the Andover to the Chatham Islands, I was the load master on that trip. We took Ann Hercus down there to open the new hall. There wasn't enough accommodation for every one. I stayed the night in the Chatham Island hospital with Trev Palin. It was also the first Andover to land there. I did a lot of trips down there. There was one young pilot, a good pilot he was, decided to do a beat up. We had cartons of lamb and fish to take back. The ferry tank was fitted. So I had to jam all the produce down the side of ferry tank c of g been a prob as well. He did a low pass, pulled her up and I had cartons of meat all around the cabin. No injuries. I was also on the first test flight on the first VIP Andover 7628. Gary Wrathall was the test pilot(now deceased)we had to abandon the flight 3 times because of smoke in the cabin. They decided to leave it in the hangar for the night to let it to the ground crew to sort it out. They found a birds nest on one of the inverters. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions about the Andover, and I will give you the good gen. whispers
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r22dave
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by r22dave on Nov 14, 2013 23:52:26 GMT 12
Hi to all--a bit of an odd question ---would anybody have any interior photographs of the VIP Andover---we are looking at the possibility of putting an Andover CC2 into a VIP type fit --its very much at the early stages and if---- if it comes together will be UK based--We have identified a suitable machine that's EX RAF that is broken in the Congo (overdue a c check and which is now a freighter (sorry to be more accurate the seats have been removed for freight))--we have found some photograph of the early Royal Flight Fit-- And For those interested there are still two ex RNZAF (I think!) Andovers still flying(ish) in the DRC--and there is one in storage that could be brought back to life for there is a large parts holding in the UK---In the central African Republic there is the EX RAF (ETPS) Andover on a freight run---its normal operating base is in the Sudan----I dont think the Moderators will mind my e mail address being here---any replies please to dave (at) jet-ranger.co.uk...
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Post by phil82 on Nov 15, 2013 1:17:44 GMT 12
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Post by camtech on Nov 22, 2013 14:03:15 GMT 12
I may have some photos of the VIP fit - will have a look.
Gary Wrathall ferried NZ7625 on its delivery - interesting guy with a wicked sense of fun. We were supposed to be a day ahead in NZ7620, but due to a compass problem finished up starting 24 hours behind Gary. However, when we arrived at Naples, there was "25 sitting on the apron - our diplomatic clearances had been cancelled. Spent the weekend in Naples then flew together for the remainder of the trip.
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Post by whispers on Feb 25, 2016 12:25:45 GMT 12
ref andover. I first saw a andover at butterworth airmovements I think it was 1967. definitely not 1966. 14 were deployed to butterworth for 6 weeks. I also flew in the raf 748 to changi in 1997. it was a vip aircraft. the raf were very obliging and most helpful in taking people any where if there was a spare seat
anover 7628 first vip andover. was sent down to Woodbourne with Gary Wrathal, Trev Palin, and sorry nav I can't remember who you were. Anyway we took of on the test flight and after about 10 mins we had smoke in the vip compartment. We turned back to Woodbourne landed safely. The techos had a look around. gave us the thumbs up of and off we went. The smoke appeared again so we turned back had another flight turned back again. They put the aeroplane back in the hangar and had a good look around and the fault was found. It was a birds nest on one of power units. I guess been on the ground for so long nobody, thought about the birds.Problem solved and the Andover just kept on going.
as regards the cyclone in Fiji having been involved in ex tropic deployments the Andover would have ben ideal the strips up in were to small for the c130. the andover out preformed the caribou and woul have blown the Spartan away.
as regards flying the nh90 up to Fiji, they could fly them up there with bladder tanks, but they probably would have to do a major servicing on the nh90, after using up so many hours. pete mason (whispers)
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Post by whispers on Feb 25, 2016 12:35:37 GMT 12
they were a bit of a pain when we first got them. they had the big round ferry tanks, which were lent to the rnzaf to get the aircraft home.They put a limitation on the trim.we were right on the nose for t/o and out the tail for landing. A bit of loadmaster fiddle factor helped the situation.
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Post by kiwiredley on Feb 25, 2016 20:57:20 GMT 12
Agree the Andover was great on those short strips, but the payload range was well below what the C27J acheives, C27 range with max payload of 25000 lb is 1000nm. I kind of like the C295 as a short hauler for the RNZAF, slightly less payload, range and speed than the C27 but costs a lot less to buy and operate. Sure it can't carry some of the vehicles that will fit in the C27 but as far as pax and paratroopers it carries more. Runway length is the same as the C27 but being 20000 lb lighter in operating weight means the C295 has a lower CBR rating so can handle soft strips better. Airbus are currently looking at an enhancement called XTOL which they report will involve a more aggressive takeoff flap setting to fully utilise the STOL capability. They report that several of their operators have asked them to do this. They hint that it will allow the Aircraft to operate out of 500m strips but would be considered a wartime special ops feature
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Post by general on Feb 25, 2016 22:43:52 GMT 12
Oops, I haven't checked in for a bit. Anyone looking for general arrangement 3-views I have official drawings of the 748 MF (Andover C.1) in A0 size. 1/48 scale. "A.V. Roe Ltd, Manchester" in the title bar.
Would ba a good idea to find a copy place can handle that size.
Also have Kahu upgrade GA showing all mods.
FYI.
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Post by camtech on Feb 26, 2016 22:09:57 GMT 12
Going through my files recently and found some of the reports around the time of the order being placed and the aircraft arriving. Some interesting comments. Having flown from UK to NZ with ferry tank onboard - yes interesting exercise getting fuel to flow - used to crack the vent pipe and use a clipboard to regulate cabin air pressure to transfer fuel. Trimming was interesting with our tool and spares packups being carefully positioned for best Cof G. Very pleased when 7629 arrived with central tank plumbed.
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SeanG
Warrant Officer
Me in my Sim....
Posts: 43
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Post by SeanG on Mar 3, 2016 0:09:43 GMT 12
I'm doing some research for a flightsim project, and I have a couple of Andover questions... Is there a list anywhere of what paint each aircraft carried through their life? And... what did the Andover fleet do during an "average week in the life"? The reason for the questions; The package I am putting together created "Artificial Intelligence" aircraft, which fly specified flights on a weekly cycle. I am modelling the RNZAF in a 2 or 3 different eras, and at leat 1 of those will feature Andovers at Whenuapai, and maybe Ohakea. Any information greatly appreciated Cheers SeanG There are more pictures of my project in the "flightsim sub-board" of this very forum... but here is a wee teaser
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Post by camtech on Mar 3, 2016 12:55:55 GMT 12
Sean, back in the 1 squadron days '76 - '80, when we had 6 aircraft, some of the routine was: 1 a/c SATS run all stops south and back north Monday and Friday. 1 a/c Freight SATS south on Tuesday, overnight Wigram, fisheries patrol Thursday (usually with a refuel at Invercargill), return to Wigram and freight northbound Thursday. Usually 1 a/c on scheduled servicing. Often 1 a/c on crew training, another on miscellaneous tasking - grunt shuttle, paratroop training, overseas, etc. Some weeks were quiet with just the shuttles, but some were hectic. Throw in the odd Pluto, formation flying, RNZAF Band tour, royal visit and life was rarely boring.
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SeanG
Warrant Officer
Me in my Sim....
Posts: 43
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Post by SeanG on Mar 3, 2016 13:20:17 GMT 12
Sean, back in the 1 squadron days '76 - '80, when we had 6 aircraft, some of the routine was: 1 a/c SATS run all stops south and back north Monday and Friday. 1 a/c Freight SATS south on Tuesday, overnight Wigram, fisheries patrol Thursday (usually with a refuel at Invercargill), return to Wigram and freight northbound Thursday. Usually 1 a/c on scheduled servicing. Often 1 a/c on crew training, another on miscellaneous tasking - grunt shuttle, paratroop training, overseas, etc. Some weeks were quiet with just the shuttles, but some were hectic. Throw in the odd Pluto, formation flying, RNZAF Band tour, royal visit and life was rarely boring. Thanks! That's exactly the sort of thing I'm after.. and I have a soft spot for 1 Sqn.. when I was in the ATC (back in the day) Sqn.Ldr Oldfield was my instructor in the Airtourer SeanG
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Post by camtech on Mar 3, 2016 17:14:28 GMT 12
George was my boss originally on 1 Sqn, and was one of the original aircrew trained in the UK, flying the first (7624) home, plus another ferry.
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pvsjetstar
Flight Lieutenant
email: rassie6@optusnet.com.au
Posts: 97
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Post by pvsjetstar on Mar 7, 2016 2:25:27 GMT 12
Sean, I have some beautiful colour photos of NZ7620, 21, 23, 26 and 29 in Camouflage, and NZ7627, 28 and 29 in the standard livery with pale blue cheat line. Happy to share with you - email me at rassie6@optusnet.com.au. Cheers Paul
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