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Post by FlyNavy on Feb 5, 2008 10:23:22 GMT 12
Paddy,
Don Simms (& others) have more or less answered your question elsewhere on this forum recently but searches now fail to find these answers (I guess some answers are in bits and pieces in separate replies). From memory Don Simms has said by now (after 6-7 years) that 'nothing' (sorry if I'm wrong here) would be working by now after minimal maintenance over such a long time. Even if some systems worked they will require along with the entire aircraft some very expensive maintenance (due to life expired items, testing, replacing parts etc.)
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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 5, 2008 11:25:25 GMT 12
"Nothing" might be going a bit far Phil, but basically you are right - a lot of equipment won't be working any more and will require full rework to get it serviceable again. Anyone know if the last 3 aircraft have been turned into Whitehawks yet and put outside? I hear from a source that the latex is already starting to fall to bits on some of them (he thinks it was only sprayed on at half the recommended strength to save money). Some more close up photos to monitor any deterioration would be useful if anyone can manage it  |
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Post by agalbraith on Feb 5, 2008 13:40:48 GMT 12
Hey Don
I am up in Blenheim on Monday for business. I will take my bigger lens with me and se what I can see/photograph.
Cheers
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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 5, 2008 19:50:24 GMT 12
Thanks Anthony.
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Post by agalbraith on Feb 12, 2008 15:20:39 GMT 12
Hi Don
Just a quick note to let you know that I made it to see the Skyhawks lined up on the airfield.
I got some quite good shots of them.
Yes the laytex does seem to be breaking down/coming off already!! The coating was bubbling on a couple and it was peeling off the fin of one of the single seaters. Also where the airbrakes were 'bleeding' open it had opened up there too. As well as around the tailpipe of some. One of them appeared to have quite a thin layer on and what looked like the green camo showing through.
I am sure the guys who had to put it on had no choice but to do their best and am sure arent too impressed anyway about having to do it.
I am on holiday and dont have the software to sesize my pics on my laptop at an internet cafe.
I am back on Sat pm so will upload them when I get back on the weekend.
Cheers for now
Anthony
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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 13, 2008 11:31:49 GMT 12
Great - look forward to seeing your photos. Your observations confirm what others have observed. I agree that the Safe Air guys who did the job did their best - I know the financial constraints they were working to... obviously the Gov't hasn't heard the saying "you get what you pay for"!
Are all 17 latexed and in the compound now?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 13, 2008 13:53:27 GMT 12
No worries, the deal will all go through soon and the aircraft will fly off to the USA good as new. Just ask Fug Goff...
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Post by smithy on Feb 14, 2008 10:14:28 GMT 12
No worries, the deal will all go through soon and the aircraft will fly off to the USA good as new. Just ask Fug Goff... Snigger ;D I can't believe the stuff's falling off them already. They'll be in a hell of a state in half a year's time, if that's the case. |
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Post by agalbraith on Feb 14, 2008 19:24:18 GMT 12
Hi Don and all
I still only counted 15. I will go through my other pics and recount, but I wonder wether they just didnt have enough to do them all. Looking at the end one the layer looks pretty thin.
Got some great shots of Bill's stunning Anson and John Smiths if anyone is intereste when I get home.
Aaaah Motueka is a beautiful area, I could live here.
Back to reality soon.........
Cheers for now
Anthony
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Post by agalbraith on Feb 17, 2008 15:35:42 GMT 12
Well here are the pics as promised. Actually I can only see 14? Anyone else see more??      I did take a few more but these are the best I think. They were not the easiest to photograph but I got as close as I dare possible. Cheers Anthony |
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Post by flycookie on Feb 17, 2008 15:43:32 GMT 12
Nice work.
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 17, 2008 15:43:38 GMT 12
Nice work, Anthony; and thanks for posting.  Gee, the spraylat is starting to look really tatty in places, and also how thin the coating really is on a couple of the Skyhawks. Maybe you should forward one or two of these photos to Heather Roy? |
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Post by agalbraith on Feb 17, 2008 15:49:11 GMT 12
One more.......  Some appeared to have their u/c wrapped in plasic too, whilst I am sure several didnt, for what its worth. |
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Post by agalbraith on Feb 17, 2008 15:54:08 GMT 12
Glad you guys like them! I had a MP/security(?) come up and drive past really slow in front of me.
My wife and son were in the car waiting nervously, as we went down a gravel road (with a gate on it.....it was open!) to get as close as possible.
Aaah all good fun!
Cheers
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Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 17, 2008 15:56:02 GMT 12
One from Woodbourne in January.  Counted 15 when I was there, not to say that one or two haven't been removed to have their latex recovered. Your shots show the ripping and thinly applied latex on some of the aircraft well Anthony. |
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 17, 2008 15:56:30 GMT 12
Yeah, I noticed that too: it all seems very piecemeal. In fact, I think the Govt spent more on the fence, than they did on the covering of the Skyhawks.
I wouldn't treat my pushbike ($900) the way the Govt has treated these Skyhawks ($150mil)!
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Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 17, 2008 15:56:56 GMT 12
You are correct about the wheels being uncovered on some of them Anthony.
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 17, 2008 15:59:30 GMT 12
I'd say you're not the only person the MP have watched photographing these aircraft in the past few months! ;D
Now, has this inspired you to make an RNZAF Skyhawk model - in spraylat - as seen at Woodbourne? ;D
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 17, 2008 16:02:22 GMT 12
Joe, that photo of yours is interesting too in that most of the aircraft have AoA indicator safety covers under the spraylat - except for the aircraft nearest to where you were taking the photo from.
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Post by flycookie on Feb 17, 2008 16:31:10 GMT 12
I'd say the exposed area aft the airspeed brake is due to US State Department incompetence. Can't think of any other reason for it to be that way.  |
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