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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 23, 2021 18:45:48 GMT 12
I have just been sent this by a member of the No. 5 Squadron Association:
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Post by machina on Sept 23, 2021 20:10:53 GMT 12
Thanks Dave. Is the flypast over the base?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 23, 2021 20:27:19 GMT 12
All I know is what is above.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 24, 2021 10:38:49 GMT 12
Some info has been sent to me, which comes from the Whenuapai Base Commander, GPCAPT Andy Scott, DSD's Friday release:
A few facts:
· NZ4203 was delivered to the RNZAF on the 4thJan 1967, on the same day as NZ4204 and NZ4205.
· At 26596.7hrs (3 years and 22 days in the air), NZ4203 (Lockheed S/N 5200, US Navy BuNo 152888) is the NZ fleet leader in terms of “experience”, 198hrs ahead of NZ4202.
· As one of the last P-3B airframes still operating its possible she’s a world fleet leader. USN contacts believe this is likely the case as they transitioned across to P-3Cs.
· 4203 was the test aircraft for P-3K2 Antarctic operations in 2006 and competed a medevac there in 2010
· 4203 completed her last upgrade to the P-3K2 variant on 10 Feb 2013.
· Operations, exercises, airshows and HADR activities across the world. Countless Search and Rescues and many lives saved.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 24, 2021 10:39:18 GMT 12
I do not see the Orion on Flight Radar 24
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 24, 2021 10:44:45 GMT 12
Take off scheduled for 10.40hrs now I see, and it is to fly as far as Wigram to do a flypast before heading back to Woody.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 24, 2021 10:48:15 GMT 12
Airborne, and you can follow on FlightRadar24 as ORI4203
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Post by machina on Sept 24, 2021 11:04:18 GMT 12
Was standing at the fence as she flew by low and fast before climbing. Awesome sight and even better sound.
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Post by lindstrim on Sept 24, 2021 11:34:08 GMT 12
They didn't hold back on their passes down the runway.
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Post by komata on Sept 24, 2021 11:35:45 GMT 12
Given her history / importance, are there any plans for preservation by 'someone / anyone' (Perhaps even at Wigram?) and if so, where? Thanks.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 24, 2021 11:37:48 GMT 12
NZ4203 was delivered to the RNZAF on the 4thJan 1967, on the same day as NZ4204 and NZ4205. Subtle difference in dates of delivery should be noted: NZ4203 arrived at Whenuapai on 11Dec1966 and was bought on charge 4Jan1967. |
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Post by machina on Sept 24, 2021 11:50:15 GMT 12
Was standing at the fence as she flew by low and fast before climbing. Awesome sight and even better sound. Just to add, towards the top of her climb out she disappeared into the clouds leaving a nice smoke trail behind her. A cool way to go. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 24, 2021 12:10:34 GMT 12
Given her history / importance, are there any plans for preservation by 'someone / anyone' (Perhaps even at Wigram?) and if so, where? Thanks. NZ4201 is scheduled for preservation eventually at Wigram. As is Hercules '01. |
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Post by komata on Sept 24, 2021 12:57:24 GMT 12
Dave H
Thank you.
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Post by davidd on Sept 24, 2021 13:25:07 GMT 12
Saw what I presume was 4203 zooming over Christchurch (Upper Riccarton) just a few minutes before 1300, going at about a thousand miles an hour, sounded good. Never saw it again after that pass.
David D
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Post by planewriting on Sept 24, 2021 13:26:20 GMT 12
I see on FR24 C-130 NZ7001 is having a good old workout today ex Woodbourne. Right now it's east of Picton. It has been going round in circuits including over Ohakea and Rongotai. I hope it is not on its swansong.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 24, 2021 13:27:08 GMT 12
Yep that was her.
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Post by shorty on Sept 24, 2021 13:35:49 GMT 12
I was following '03 on FR and heading north off Kaikoura she tuned east and disappeared off the screen
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Post by tbf2504 on Sept 24, 2021 13:54:13 GMT 12
As Peter states above there are often differences between actual arrival dates and "Taken on Charge" dates for various aircraft
From the AF380 the BOC dates for the Orions are as follows:
NZ4201 1/8/66, NZ4202 1/8/66, NZ4203 4/1/67, NZ4204 4/1/67, NZ4205 4/1/67, NZ4206 24/6/85. Interesting in that the first five were recorded as being BOC by Hobsonville. (Hobby was the site of the
main store recording facility at that time)
NZ4206 has no unit assigned for the BOC.
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Post by planewriting on Sept 24, 2021 14:07:18 GMT 12
I was following '03 on FR and heading north off Kaikoura she tuned east and disappeared off the screen It re-appeared briefly near Blenheim. NZ7001 was in the vicinity at that time. Both have disappeared so presumably they have landed at Woodbourne. |
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