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Post by FlyNavy on Feb 17, 2008 16:54:54 GMT 12
"US State Dept incontinence"? Perhaps hydraulic fluid is eating the spraylat aft of de brake of speed?
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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 17, 2008 20:14:57 GMT 12
Thanks Antony. It is worse than I thought it would be for such a short time outside.
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Post by agalbraith on Feb 17, 2008 20:25:01 GMT 12
Yes mate, I agree
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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 18, 2008 12:18:15 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. Flyjoe180, any chance of sending me a higher resolution photo of the one you posted here? I'm interested in a couple of the rear aircraft where the latex appears to be coming off around the hori stab/tail area in large chunks (not visible in Anthony's photos). Cheers Don (don.simms@xtra.co.nz)
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Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 20, 2008 9:40:00 GMT 12
Im in Auckland until the end of the week Don, will be back home in Wellington Friday will try to get a copy to you.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 20, 2008 14:10:04 GMT 12
The issue of the latex peeling off was raised in Parliament this afternoon by Heather Roy I haven't read the transcript of Mr Goff's response but apparently the media are onto the story (including TV3 News).
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Post by stu on Feb 20, 2008 14:43:10 GMT 12
I Flicked on the wireless at around 14:30 today and caught Danny Watson on ZB saying how he'd recently seen the Skyhawks in their plastic wrap.
He went on to say (basically) what a bureaucratically stupid idea it was up and how it'll eventually ruin the aircraft, making them unsaleable should a buyer ever be found.
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Post by stu on Feb 20, 2008 14:50:34 GMT 12
The issue of the latex peeling off was raised in Parliament this afternoon by Heather Roy I haven't read the transcript of Mr Goff's response but apparently the media are onto the story (including TV3 News). Just logged on here at work and had a quick peek at the news rundown. Obviously it's still a changeable beast - even while on air - but at this stage there is a story slugged "Skyhawks" in the 3rd break of the news with an estimated on-air time of 18:33:05. Cheers, Stu.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 20, 2008 18:58:56 GMT 12
Go Heather!! ;D You can view the full TV3 News Report at: tv3.co.nz/News/NationalNews/Story/tabid/423/articleID/46764/cat/41/Default.aspxThe Air Force's grounded Skyhawk fleet is suffering yet another indignity. The planes have been stored outside the Woodbourne Air Base for the last two months and were carefully sheathed in white latex to preserve them from the elements - but now, the latex is already failing. Act MP Heather Roy says: "Just two months after the jets were wheeled outside to sit in the weather with what we were told was a robust latex covering, they're now ripped, peeling and weathering quite seriously." The double layer coating cost amost $100,000 - the Defence Force has confirmed to 3 News that the outer layer is bubbling due to water damage and has torn on at least three of the aircraft. Defence Minister Phil Goff says the white coating protects the exterior and expensive cockpit controls from the sun, but they have an undercoat as well. "I'm advised by the Defence Force that the protection is not only adequate but better than what the planes had before," Goff says. The Labour Government scrapped the combat wing in 2002 and has been trying to sell the aircraft since. They have a $50 million offer but the US State Department will not give it the rubber stamp. Roy claims some of the former jets have only a third of the latex they should, saying: "Here they are having to pay $94,000 out of their operational funding, that should be spent on core business, not on decommissioned stock that the government can't sell." The Air Force says the contractor that coated the planes does not know what has caused the latest hiccup - they say the latex is still under warranty, so the Skyhawks will get another coat. But this is yet another embarrassing problem for the expensive jets.
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Post by motoxjase on Feb 20, 2008 20:53:37 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 The road you were on is a public road classed as a paper road, we go up there every weekend for a look at the Skyhawks. Take as many pics as you want as the MPs cant stop you not even the police! The Goverment knew that by parking them out in full view of the public eye any cock ups with the Skyhawks would be spotted. As much I love the Skyhawks I dont reckon the Goverment gives 2 hoots any-more about any public reaction and most if not all of every-one I know even cares, most I know are to worried about super 14 results! Makes you wonder how and why this care free attitude to defence is so en-trench in NZ society
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Post by Brett on Feb 20, 2008 21:18:16 GMT 12
Do people never learn?
You should not trust your equipment to a single layer of latex.
ALWAYS use two forms of protection.
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Post by lumpy on Feb 20, 2008 21:35:13 GMT 12
Agree with motoxjase , that road is definitly public property . They may make it look like its not , but so long as you dont go over that last fence (on the right ) onto the airfield , you can do whatever you like . ( think there are laws about public exposure though ) :-)
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Post by FlyNavy on Feb 20, 2008 23:05:50 GMT 12
To me it looks like anyone can just rock up and take one home. ;D Also they look like 'coconut roughs'. You may not have these white choccy covering coconut crumble chocolate in NZed but you heard it here first. ;D BTW don't start FliedCookly on prophylactic thread we had that with Trojans and Checkmates remember? ;D
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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 21, 2008 10:53:40 GMT 12
Perishing latex exposes Skyhawks, ACT claims NZPA | Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Claims from ACT MP Heather Roy that attempts to preserve the airforce's mothballed Skyhawks under layers of latex rubber are failing, provoked much amusement in Parliament today.
The Government is waiting for approval from the United States Government to sell its air combat wing and has had the planes in storage for some time.
Last December, the Skyhawks were wheeled outside of their hangars at Blenheim to make room for Hercules aircraft upgrade and covered in two layers of latex.
One black latex layer underneath to protect from moisture and a white latex layer on top to protect from sun damage.
Mrs Roy told MPs today that after just two months chunks of latex had come loose and moisture was getting in leaving the jets exposed to damage.
In Parliament she asked Defence Minister Phil Goff whether the protection was working and if the planes were still valued at $110 million dollars.
Mr Goff said the planes were well protected and the damage to the outer layer of white latex posed no risk to the planes.
He had been assured by the defence force that all was in order.
MPs had difficulty focusing on the serious aspect of the questions and answers due to the mention of latex rubber numerous times.
Mr Goff said his colleagues in the House seemed "to get excited at the mention of black latex".
Mrs Roy's attempts to ask what was the correct thickness for latex rubber protection provoked more titters of laughter when Mr Goff assured the House he was no expert on such matters.
The Government still had an offer of $35 million for the air combat wing, Mr Goff said.
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Post by FlyNavy on Feb 21, 2008 12:07:39 GMT 12
I note the offers in last two news reports decrease steadily from 50 mil to 35 mil. I look forward to the freebie giveaways.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 21, 2008 16:35:24 GMT 12
The Dominion newspaper's summary of yesterdays proceedings in Parliament is pretty funny ;D Although National's suggestion to "dismantle" them isn't so funny
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Post by FlyNavy on Feb 21, 2008 17:11:50 GMT 12
Does anyone know the point for "dismantling" them? What will that achieve. Really unsellable Skyhawks?
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Post by vgp on Feb 21, 2008 17:30:32 GMT 12
Most likely option if the deal falls over, I think helen has already said that once before that they will be cut up for scrap if the state dept does not give the green light.
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Post by FlyNavy on Feb 21, 2008 17:40:03 GMT 12
"cut up for scrap"? ....
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Post by p40fanatic on Feb 21, 2008 17:48:50 GMT 12
Haha....I love the "naughty bored planes" remark....brilliant!
All joking aside, it will be nice when we can LOOK BACK on the whole debacle of retirement-storage-sale, I'm not enjoying the proceedings that much. The News said last night that the State Department is still to blame for the lack of sale...has anyone written to the US Ambassador about this?
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