The Final Flight of Orion NZ4206 - 13 Dec 2021

[retiredav8r]

She just landed at Woodbourne after a very low and fast flyby

[beagle]

Jan 20, 2022 6:22:49 GMT 12 johnnyfalcon said:

With the weather like it is today in Chch, we probably wouldn't see it anyway...

beautiful day here in chch

[johnnyfalcon]

Was persisting down when I flew out this morning... Still raining where I am!

[beagle]

Jan 20, 2022 14:48:38 GMT 12 johnnyfalcon said:

Was persisting down when I flew out this morning... Still raining where I am!

clear blue skies in Rollywood

[lesterpk]

Jan 20, 2022 9:36:15 GMT 12 Antonio said:

What will be her Total Time Airframe?

Seen it mentioned a bit over 22,000 hrs.

[ErrolC]

And tracking the others

Welcome home ✈️ Our P-3K2 Orion NZ4202 has returned to #BaseAuckland after a heavy maintenance programme at #BaseWoodbourne. It is the last Orion in the fleet to undertake the work, representing a milestone as the fleet heads towards retirement next year. #NZAirForce

[camtech]

Just noticed this on the Govt Electronic Tendering system. Closed 8 April 2022

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is in the process of withdrawing its fleet of six Lockheed P-3K2 Orion aircraft from service.

Aircraft will be progressively retired over the period 2022-2023. Retired aircraft will be flown to RNZAF Base Woodbourne in Blenheim, NZ, for storage. Support inventory is primarily located at RNZAF Base Auckland with some elements at other locations within NZ.

The NZDF is offering five aircraft from the fleet plus support inventory for tender.

Fleet and inventory

The fleet and inventory on offer includes:

• Five P-3K2 Orion aircraft
• Flight deck and tactical rail simulators
• Ground Support Equipment including docking stands
• Spares inventory including spare engines and propellers
• Special To Type test equipment
• Publications suite and drawing decks
• SAP-based maintenance data and aircraft structural history

Interested parties are advised that to register and view this RFT in detail they MUST go to the NZDF’s SmartProcure website at
nzdf.bravosolution.com

Suppliers must logon to access the RFT and submit a response. Registration is simple and free, just click “register now”.

If you require assistance to register please contact [e-mail]

ALL enquiries regarding this RFT must be in writing through NZDF’s SmartProcure message system.

NZDF will endeavour to respond in writing to written enquiries within two working days.

[gibbo]

Jul 6, 2022 12:48:36 GMT 12 camtech said:

Just noticed this on the Govt Electronic Tendering system. Closed 8 April 2022

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is in the process of withdrawing its fleet of six Lockheed P-3K2 Orion aircraft from service.

Aircraft will be progressively retired over the period 2022-2023. Retired aircraft will be flown to RNZAF Base Woodbourne in Blenheim, NZ, for storage. Support inventory is primarily located at RNZAF Base Auckland with some elements at other locations within NZ.

The NZDF is offering five aircraft from the fleet plus support inventory for tender.

Fleet and inventory

The fleet and inventory on offer includes:

• Five P-3K2 Orion aircraft
• Flight deck and tactical rail simulators
• Ground Support Equipment including docking stands
• Spares inventory including spare engines and propellers
• Special To Type test equipment
• Publications suite and drawing decks
• SAP-based maintenance data and aircraft structural history

Interested parties are advised that to register and view this RFT in detail they MUST go to the NZDF’s SmartProcure website at
nzdf.bravosolution.com

Suppliers must logon to access the RFT and submit a response. Registration is simple and free, just click “register now”.

If you require assistance to register please contact [e-mail]

ALL enquiries regarding this RFT must be in writing through NZDF’s SmartProcure message system.

NZDF will endeavour to respond in writing to written enquiries within two working days.

Did see that tender on the GETS site sometime ago... what makes me curious is they say the offer includes 5 P-3K2 Orion aircraft (the 6th destined for the RNZAF museum - NZ4204 AIUI)... but from what I recall they were breaking down the retired ones for spares... hardly what the tender doc suggests when they say 5 aircraft.

[camtech]

Guess there is more money in the parts than the aircraft.

[planewriting]

Jul 6, 2022 15:16:11 GMT 12 camtech said:

Guess there is more money in the parts than the aircraft.

I'd agree. I suspect that while there will be some Orions (01, 02 and 05) possibly for sale as complete aircraft there would also be substantial parts from 03 and 06 available for other Orion users. If the first three I listed above are due for retirement in the next year or so, the RNZAF would hardly have a use for Orion spare parts thereafter, so would presumably chase the best dollars that they can.

[Dave Homewood]

All the operators of P-3's are in the market for parts to keep their fleets going. Lockheed stopped supplying parts to operators as soon as the US Navy retired their fleet. The lack of parts was a major reason we have had to replace the fleet.