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Post by ErrolC on Dec 15, 2022 20:02:07 GMT 12
May have missed it but when can we expect to see the new girl flying? Well the simulators (one for flying, one for mission systems?) aren't available for a while, so it will be out an about soon I imagine. Might get a flypast at Wairarapa or Omaka? Or tag along on the Orion farewell tour that I assume is happening. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 15, 2022 23:11:19 GMT 12
Moderation Alert - A comment was made here that was inaccurate, which led to a controversy, so I have removed that sideline conversation. Let's please check our facts before posting, and stay on topic.
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Post by alanster on Dec 18, 2022 0:26:47 GMT 12
Henare also taking all the credit when this project only happened because of Ron Mark/NZF when he was MOD. At least Ron was invited to the welcome ceremony by the RNZAF. The RNZAF know who approved the purchase. Grant Robertson? The guy all ministers go to for funding decisions. |
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Post by beagle on Dec 19, 2022 7:25:10 GMT 12
morning team, someone has posted on facebook that the remaining 5 orions are going to the USA and be used as water bombers to fight fires. has anyone seen that in official print or heard this rumour ?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2022 16:34:22 GMT 12
News to me and I'd love to hear more.
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Post by camtech on Dec 19, 2022 20:45:20 GMT 12
Off 5 Sqdn Assn web page
CO 5, fresh back from flying in Japan and Korea himself, gave an interesting brief on what the Squadron has achieved this year with the three-remaining aircraft, and a very high post-covid attrition rate for maintenance techs and aircrew, especially the former. Individuals are seeing plenty of Duty Crew as the Squadron continues to juggle operational commitments. The November copy of Air Force News has two articles showing 5 Squadron still covering the oceans from the tropics (a successful SAR of the north coast of Vanua Levu, Fiji) to the Deep South (counting whales off Campbell and Auckland Islands).
CO5 also confirmed that the bulk of the P-3K2 fleet is planned to go to ‘fire bombing operations’ in the USA. Although NZ4203, the first P-3K2 retired will be going to the Air Force Museum at Wigram, where it will be displayed in the ‘K2’ configuration.
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Post by gibbo on Dec 19, 2022 20:56:28 GMT 12
Off 5 Sqdn Assn web page CO 5, fresh back from flying in Japan and Korea himself, gave an interesting brief on what the Squadron has achieved this year with the three-remaining aircraft, and a very high post-covid attrition rate for maintenance techs and aircrew, especially the former. Individuals are seeing plenty of Duty Crew as the Squadron continues to juggle operational commitments. The November copy of Air Force News has two articles showing 5 Squadron still covering the oceans from the tropics (a successful SAR of the north coast of Vanua Levu, Fiji) to the Deep South (counting whales off Campbell and Auckland Islands). CO5 also confirmed that the bulk of the P-3K2 fleet is planned to go to ‘fire bombing operations’ in the USA. Although NZ4203, the first P-3K2 retired will be going to the Air Force Museum at Wigram, where it will be displayed in the ‘K2’ configuration. I wonder what condition the sensors & consoles etc are in?... they'll be a few years old & it doesn't take long for IT gear to become obsolete but one wonders (out loud) if a subset of such gear wouldn't have been a good fit into a fixed wing EMAC platform... seems Hawker Pacific can do similar with 2 of the KA350 easily enough. However moot point I guess now as the personnel shortages are such that EMAC will not be proceeding any time soon... just hope the project survives the upcoming defence review! |
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ajmcg
Flight Sergeant
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Post by ajmcg on Dec 24, 2022 17:27:56 GMT 12
EMAC was covered when NZ2351 and NZ2353 Beech 350i were modified with multi mode radar and electro optical infrared sensors, not just for training Air Warfare Officers but also complimenting the
P-8A Poseidon
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Post by gibbo on Dec 26, 2022 22:15:40 GMT 12
EMAC was covered when NZ2351 and NZ2353 Beech 350i were modified with multi mode radar and electro optical infrared sensors, not just for training Air Warfare Officers but also complimenting the P-8A Poseidon There's never been any 'official' statement to that effect and the MinDef major projects review released recently certainly doesn't tie EMAC to the KA350 mods. Also can't say I (as a civvy) have seen much to indicate 42Sqn being tasked specifically with 'EMAC' taskings... so I question that. |
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ajmcg
Flight Sergeant
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Post by ajmcg on Jan 4, 2023 15:22:42 GMT 12
NZ4803 first flight 30 December 2022.
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zkarj
Warrant Officer
Posts: 38
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Post by zkarj on Jan 12, 2023 10:06:42 GMT 12
A couple of points on all this.
First, it seems that 4801 has not left the ground since it arrived on delivery. Someone told me it wouldn't be flying until simulators were in place. I thought that odd, but certainly my FR24 alert for "P8" has not gone off at all.
Second... what on earth happened with the font for the serial? At least they used the right* Kiwi, but the serial font is... confronting. Is it a US Navy standard?
*I am a firm supporter of the one and only original Kiwi. The Texans (and various signage) seem to be the only kit to have adopted the new design which I find very telling.
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ajmcg
Flight Sergeant
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Post by ajmcg on Feb 1, 2023 14:30:15 GMT 12
Seems to me to be along time to try the new toy. The P-3’s are officially retired so P-8’s are it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next completed P-8 from Boeing goes to the RNZAF to bolster numbers.
Also of interest is the retirement of Air Ordance trade with the P-3. Are we never intending to purchase Harpoon ASM or torpedoes?
Are they only robe for SAR, EEZ and environmental patrols?
Traditionally NZDF has had 3 offensive weapons, Navy frigates, Army SAS and Air Force P-3 Orions.
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Post by tbf2504 on Feb 1, 2023 15:06:47 GMT 12
Does the crew of nine include a flight engineer or has this trade been reduced to just the current C130H and will disappear with the C130J??
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nz104
Flying Officer
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Post by nz104 on Feb 1, 2023 15:40:12 GMT 12
The P8 does not have a Flight engineer & the flight engineers role will disappear completely when the J's enter service as there is no need with the automated systems onboard the new aircraft.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 1, 2023 17:38:07 GMT 12
You need to listen to WONZ 268 and 269 Paul.  |
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Post by 30sqnatc on Feb 1, 2023 18:24:14 GMT 12
Traditionally NZDF has had 3 offensive weapons, Navy frigates, Army SAS and Air Force P-3 Orions. WHAT! The members of NZDF Ouput 2, the Army Multi Role Battalion Group which is an all arms organisation with numerous significant weapon systems that will deploy as Light Infantry or Light Armour may have something to say about that list. |
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Post by lesterpk on Feb 2, 2023 0:16:01 GMT 12
6Sqn with it's Maverick and now Penguin missles has joined the chat.
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Post by tbf2504 on Feb 2, 2023 8:50:06 GMT 12
Touche Dave, will have a look at them.
It would be interesting to list all the types the RNZAF has flown that included a Flight Engineer as regular crew.
I would start with the Singapore Flying Boats, Catalinas, Sunderlands (WWII and onwards) C47's (On the long haul Courier flights to Japan) etc etc
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 2, 2023 9:53:51 GMT 12
It would be interesting to list all the types the RNZAF has flown that included a Flight Engineer as regular crew. I would start with the Singapore Flying Boats, Catalinas, Sunderlands (WWII and onwards) C47's (On the long haul Courier flights to Japan) etc etc DC-6, Hastings, Hercules. Orion, Boeing 727. |
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 2, 2023 11:39:46 GMT 12
While the F-27 often had engineering personnel listed in the crew manifest on some deployments they were ground trades.
I can't speak for the Andover but they may well have been the same.
I never saw a Flight Engineer in my time on the Friendships and I am unaware of any that may have even done type training.
I was onboard during one Aussie trip and witnessed an LAC become an 'instant' Sergeant for the duration. While he did wear his new chevrons we never went so far as to pin a brevet on his uniform.
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