NZ Army Helio Couriers

[Dave Homewood]

I noted that the AHSNZ Journal for 2nd of May 1966 reported that the NZ Army was proposing later in the year "to take delivery of about six light aircraft. The Helio Courier has been mentioned in this connection, but no further details were available at the time of writing."

It states in Aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force by David Duxbury, Ross Ewing and Ross Macpherson that the Austers were intended to be replaced by Helio Couriers, but the Sioux and the Forward Air Control Harvards ended up in the role instead.

This would make a wonderful 'what if' NZ Army/No. 3 (Battlefield Support) Squadron model topic. The Courier is a really cool type!

[Dave Homewood]

In the 6th of June 1966 AHSNZ Journal I see that Ross Dunlop wrote that while the Courier was the frontrunner for the Army's light aircraft they had also considered the Pilatus Porter, Cessna 180, Cessna 185 and DHC Beaver. Lots of options there for the 'what if' modellers.

[Deleted]

What was the winner? Did the Sioux forefill the role?

[Dave Homewood]

As said in the first post, the Sioux and the Forward Air Control Harvards ended up in the role instead.

[Deleted]

How curious!