News from 1996 - NZ Navy to get Lynx?

[ZacYates]

I found this interesting tidbit yesterday during an idle Google search for something-or-other, from the Flight Global archives:

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New Zealand Navy chooses Lynx
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11 September, 1996

THE ROYAL NEW Zealand Navy (RNZN) has completed its replacement naval helicopter evaluation and recommended selection of the LHTEC T800-powered Westland Super Lynx.

Sources in Westland and Kaman confirm that the RNZN's evaluation has favoured a Super Lynx. It is understood that the Navy's project office is now being wound down.

Final selection remains subject to political approval, and this has been postponed until after New Zealand's general election on 12 October. Deferring an official decision is also intended to bring the RNZN's programme in line with Australia's selection of a new naval helicopter, which is now scheduled, for mid-October.

The RNZN requires up to six helicopters to replace its fleet of Westland Wasps. With the Wasps due to be phased out by mid-1997, and the first of New Zealand's new ANZAC frigates due to enter service shortly, the Navy has asked to lease Royal Navy Lynx helicopters as a stop-gap measure.

Australia's project 1411/1427 calls for the purchase of 14 new shipboard helicopters, with an option for a further nine. The Royal Australian Navy's selection has been narrowed down to the Super Lynx and Kaman SH-2G Super SeaSprite.
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This was a complete surprise to me! A couple of years back I made a model Lynx HMA.8 - which is what the Super Lynx evolved into, if I'm not mistaken - as a laugh, but now I find we were *this* close to actually getting them!

Does anyone know how far we went before going for the Seasprite?

[Naki]

Should make thread of what might of beens in the RNZAF and RNZN (and Air New Zealand)

In one if my old Air Internationals from the mid 80s there was a short news article where it was proposed we get Australian made Seahawks and Blackhawks. There was another one on replacing the Strikemasters with Pilatus PC 9s. (Aussie made as well) around about the same time. Then there were the C-130Js and of course the F-16 later on

It's a pity we didn't get Super Lynxes. Much more preferable in my view than the orphan Seasprites. The pNavy must of had a change of plans when the RAN chose the Seasprite.

[Dave Homewood]

Apr 5, 2016 16:13:30 GMT 12 Naki said:

Should make thread of what might of beens in the RNZAF and RNZN (and Air New Zealand)

There already is one, somewhere, for the RNZAF and RNZN

[Dave Homewood]

Trying to find the thread I am thinking of, but in the meantime here's another of the 'what if'scenario threads

rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/1269/rnzaf-pacific-war

[Dave Homewood]

And another
rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/7831/swordfish-speculation

[nuuumannn]

Rob Muldoon had a rather impressive collection of model display aircraft in his office at the Beehive. MoTaT had it on display many years ago and I remember seeing such gems as a Lockheed Tristar in TEAL markings, an Airbus A300 in Air NZ markings (I think - I've seen an A380 model in Air NZ Pacific Wave markings; it sat in the Tech Ops Hangar One foyer in Christchurch until, reportedly, some apprentices took to it with cutting implements) and various military models as well. Thread here:

rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/3229/sir-robert-muldoons-models

[Swingtail]

Apr 5, 2016 16:13:30 GMT 12 Naki said:

Should make thread of what might of beens in the RNZAF and RNZN (and Air New Zealand)

I like the idea of the Air New Zealand/NAC 'What if' thread

Such as Lockheed Electra v Vickers Vanguard or De Havilland Comet
and Boeing 737 v BAC 111

[nuuumannn]

Yes, I think it'd be interesting also. You could also add F-27 v Handley Page Herald to that list.

TEAL was interested in Comets on more than one occasion, when BCPA disappeared, TEAL showed interest in the Comet and the Britannia as favourites, but got ex-BCPA DC-6s instead. The next time was the purchase of Electras, which TEAL had forced upon it by the Australian government, to replace the DC-6s. TEAL wanted Comet 4s and interest was shown in the still-born DH.118, which was to be the Comet V, but this was canned by BOAC in favour of the RR Conway powered B707 and so it wasn't put into production. The Convair 880 was also looked at by TEAL at this time. The NZ government was against the Comet because, it claimed, that it would be uneconomical, but I find that hard to justify, particularly considering the popularity of the DC-8 when it entered service.

[tedheath]

God we were lucky we never bought the heap of shit Lynx. Every RN pom maintainer I spoke to said do not buy them they are trouble.