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Post by tbf2504 on Sept 1, 2024 12:45:41 GMT 12
Further to the above, while the VIP Andovers were coming on stream and took over the VIP role, the saga of the Cessna 421s goes back before the Andovers were purchased. Like all things political when the Minister of Transport made the decision to use the F27s, and subsequently the purchase of the C421s for the air force, it was he demise of the CAA CAL Flight, that saw a reversal to the Air Force for the VIP role
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Post by oj on Sept 3, 2024 20:33:40 GMT 12
On a slightly divergent note, my recollection is that these aircraft were purchased by Aeromotive Corporation in Hamilton and were just leased to the RNZAF, but I am willing to stand corrected on that if someone can show proof of actual government purchase.
Any comments?
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Post by camtech on Sept 3, 2024 20:59:02 GMT 12
I can't give you evidence of their purchase, but I have physical evidence of their sale by Defence to Dennis Thompson via Tender Air A019 in March 1991.
So I guess you can't sell something you don't own.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 3, 2024 21:01:08 GMT 12
No, they were RNZAF owned.
You are likely thinking of the original Beechcraft King Airs, which were leased from Aeromotive, as were the CT-4E Airtrainers.
The RNZAF leases the current Super King Airs from Hawker Pacific.
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joso
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 6 
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Post by joso on Nov 16, 2024 18:50:06 GMT 12
Here's my fourpence worth. I was a member of the Golden Eagle Project commencing April 1981. The Avionics team was one F/S and two Sgt Avtechs. Supported by a Sgt 'Framie' and an Lac draughtsman plus a supplier. We were overseen by F/L Chris Torr, Engineer. We had a small 'hands on' workforce supplied when required by the Airframe Reconditioning Squadron.
Our first aircraft to arrive at 1RD, Woodbourne was NZ7942 - the prototype. I have photos of it the day it arrived plus an album full of the stages of production. I never saw the aircraft with the other tail numbers. I knew the inside of those aircraft intimately.
I designed the interfaces between the FD-112V Flight Director, AP-106 AFCS, PN-101 compass & VIR-351 VOR receivers. I also designed the Navigation Instrument switching system, which is unique to light aircraft of that era and I was awarded the Group Captain Watt Award from the Royal Aeronautical Society. I was also responsible for the installation of the VHF-251 VHF communication radio and AMR-350 Audio mixer and receiver panel. With the exception of the AFCS and Navigation Instrument switching system these systems were dual installations.
I drew the required schematics, (The draft copies I still have) followed by the wiring diagrams and along with the other two team members, designed the cable installations. We never intended the cable routing to be a 'one off' design, rather to be a guide having been warned that there might be minor differences between individual aircraft. That advice was given by the Collins Service rep, with whom we had an excellent relationship. Behind the instrument panel there were over 4000 terminations and on NZ7942 I made every one of them.
The other Avtech was responsible for the installation of the WXR-270 Weather Radar, ADF-650 Automatic Direction Finder, and DME-451 Distance measuring equipment. Also the AC power inverters.
Myself and the other Avtech were onboard NZ7942 for it's first test flight post installation and for most of the individual systems test flights. I performed the first compass swing.
I became the initial editor of the maintenance manual.
The project consumed 3.5 years of my life and I went on to do the initial design work for a C-130H Comm - Nav update.
I have a few comical incidents and a couple of 'Oh shit' events from that time to relate - another time maybe.
Best regards, John
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Post by oj on Nov 16, 2024 19:16:14 GMT 12
Joso,
Can you give us your team-members names please?
OJ
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 16, 2024 20:50:45 GMT 12
Great post John, excellent info.
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joso
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 6
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Post by joso on Nov 17, 2024 0:28:40 GMT 12
Joso, Can you give us your team-members names please? OJ F/S was Gerry Phillips (Ex Radar Fitter) Avtech Sgt - Myself - John Soppet (Ex Instrument Fitter) Avtech Sgt - Alastair 'Red' Burns (Ex Radar Fitter) Airframe Sgt - Jim Grimwood - (Promoted to F/S 1983) Draughtsman - Lac Mike Salvadore (Promoted to Cpl 1983) Supplier(s) We had 3 - Best supplier I ever worked with was Sean McAleese (I think I got the name right). Other names escape me. WhenI left the team in Dec 1984, Gerry had been promoted to W/O, and both Red & I to F/S |
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