Happy Birthday RNZAF

Betcha they were getting paid better $$$ for it too.:D 😀

The 727’s were the fastest aircraft in the RNZAF at cruising speed. The A4K’s could only outdo them in a dive.

Most of the Skyhawk pilots went straight to the RAF Fighter Command. Most of the pilots on the first raid in the recent guld war were ex-RNZAF.

Could have been a couple of ex A4 jocks getting a quick rating before leaving to join the airlines !

Truly unbelievable what that “PM” has done to Wigram’s heritage.:(

Getting back to the displays..the old 727 streaking across the runway at the last Wanaka airshow was quite stunning too. Didn’t know the old girl could go THAT fast, THAT low..!!!:D

Originally posted by Dave Homewood
Indeed. Things may change someday I hope, once the wicked witch of the Beehive is gone.

At least the RNZAF Museum has maintained its very high standards. It is the only thing that has progressed since those days in 1987 when all the 50th Anniversary celebrations went on.

Lets hope its sooner rather than later.

“When Clark reversed the deal, she not only wrecked all hope for the dwindling RNZAF, but she also wrecked our military trading ties for the future with the USA”

Have a word with Buff Hoon then, I’m sure he’ll sell your boys some Tornados and Jaguars. He needs the money to pay for Typhoon 😉

Hi Steve,

As of last month the A4K Squawks were all tucked neatly away in a hangar at RNZAF Base Wodboure. And the Macchis were in the same state at RNZAF Ohakea. There are all capabe of flight and are flown one by one every now and again. They are for sale and I belive a deal is either close or may have been closed to dispose of the Macchis.

Even if we get a new Government and they did reinstate the old A4’s, we’d still be in a bad position. They were to be replaced before Helen Clark and her clowns meddled in it. We had bought the cheapest new F16’s anywhere around. When Clark reversed the deal, she not only wrecked all hope for the dwindling RNZAF, but she also wrecked our military trading ties for the future with the USA.

Notwithstanding the loss of the planes, it is the loss of the skilled pilots and tradesmen that is the biggest concern. New Govt’s can come, and so can new planes, but rebuilding the personnel to that high level of skill will be the hardest task.

I think they should think commercially rather than cutting back – Maybe sponsorship too – 75 Sqn could fly the Skyhawks as Brietling Fighters.

Yes, no 40 Sqn put on a great display with their ‘heavies’. They used to really thrash the 727 “Vomit Comets” about during air displays, and I guess it’s no different for the new 757’s.

It’s true that the NZ Government has no idea of our military heritage – they even allowed the two remaining original hangars built by Henry Wigram (founder of the Air Force in NZ) to be pulled down recently. They should have been listed buildings – they’d stood for about 80 years intact while the RNZAF owned them.

Originally posted by turbo_NZ
Never thought I’d say it but I doooo like the new 757 in the RNZAF grey colours…but don’t tell anyone I said that
😀

Funny you should mention that – I thought the most jaw-dropping moment at RIAT last summer was the RNZAF 757 scorching in at “not-many” feet and “lots-of” knots, and happily zoom climbing up to FL Ridiculous. Stunning… 😀

As for the Skyhawks, are they in storage somewhere, and potentially capable of flight? Is there any way that you can see your government reversing their decision?

Personally I think it’s a crying shame that your government seems to have little or no respect for the achievements of your aviators. God knows, without them (and the Aussies, Yanks, French, Belgians, Czechs, Poles, and countless other nationalities) in the RAF during the second world war, history would undoubtedly have taken a different course…. 🙁

Well put, Dave.

Get the “right” government in and give those had working and proud RNZAF peoples the aircraft they deserve.

Agreed Aileron Roll !

And not just the young people in the RNZAF today, but all who have gone before – our Air Force has an incredible history of great successes and achievements from its earliest days till the present. It has always battled with a lack of money and resources and still managed to acheive an enormous amount.

In particular, the RNZAF’s contribution to the Second World War was probably one of this country’s finest achievements. We had airmen in every thetre of war, and virtually every RAF and FAA squadron as well as in our own Air Force. And many were outstanding. The RNZAF’s contribution to the Battle of Britain, the air battle over Europe, and in the Pacific in particular are unsurpassed.

The RNZAF may now be a small shadow of its former self but some of us remember the historic contributions it has made to New Zealand, and the world. This is why I added this thread to the Historic Forum. 😉

Happy Birthday !

And a serious WELL DONE to the outstanding young people who make up the RNZAF.

Whilst the govt ARE NOT, the people of NZ are very proud of their Air Force.

Originally posted by GarryB
Yes, of course… the RNZAF is useless without a dozen or so skyhawks… NZ is naked without the impenetrateable protection they offered us… in fact I remember when they flew their farewell flights they actually got to within 300km of where I live… they didn’t get any closer than the city of Christchurch because Dunedin is too far away apparently.

The Orions and Hercs do the real work… maybe we might get some real transports instead of tactical transports too.

Good point. The C-130’s are definitely aging (first delivered in ’65 ?) and are “E” models.
The 727’s are gone (miss that noisy rumble coming from the airport though!!)
The Hueys still do a fine job but are ancient too.

You could say this post belongs in the military forum but our Air Force aircraft (757’s not withstanding) are so old they are “historic”…:D

But these are the aircraft which really do matter.:(

Yes, of course… the RNZAF is useless without a dozen or so skyhawks… NZ is naked without the impenetrateable protection they offered us… in fact I remember when they flew their farewell flights they actually got to within 300km of where I live… they didn’t get any closer than the city of Christchurch because Dunedin is too far away apparently.

The Orions and Hercs do the real work… maybe we might get some real transports instead of tactical transports too.

Originally posted by Dave Homewood
Indeed. Things may change someday I hope, once the wicked witch of the Beehive is gone.

At least the RNZAF Museum has maintained its very high standards. It is the only thing that has progressed since those days in 1987 when all the 50th Anniversary celebrations went on.

Touche !!

I am going to visit the museum when I get to ChCh next Thursday.

Never thought I’d say it but I doooo like the new 757 in the RNZAF grey colours…but don’t tell anyone I said that
😀

Originally posted by turbo_NZ
…and it’s a pity that the RNZAF is a mere shadow of it’s former self:(

Indeed. Things may change someday I hope, once the wicked witch of the Beehive is gone.

At least the RNZAF Museum has maintained its very high standards. It is the only thing that has progressed since those days in 1987 when all the 50th Anniversary celebrations went on.

I dont know you but Happy Birthday anyhow

…and it’s a pity that the RNZAF is a mere shadow of it’s former self:(