The RNZAF were able to give us a display on each of the three days of the show.

As well as apperances by the Lockeed Orion, Beech T-6C Texan, NHI NH90 and Agusta-Westland A109LUH helicopters, this was billed as the final public display by the Air Force’s venerable UH-1 Iroquois fleet after 49 years of service

NZ3816 was delivered 1996 as replacement for the destroyed NZ3813. Operated by No. 3 Squadron RNZAF.

As well as local use, this squadron operated in East Timor as part of the United Nations INTERFET and later UNTAET units from 21 September 1999 to 10 December 2002. Each of the helicopters was required to display a UN identity code during this time. NZ3816 is known to have been allocated UNO-076 during service in that area.

NZ3816 gave its traditional display of troop insertion and recovery.

At the conclusion of the RNZAF session on the third day, NZ3816 did a final flypast displaying the NZ flag as a fitting farewell.

And that’s my farewell to this coverage.
In 14 hours I’m off to the other side of the world for seven weeks.

In the meantime, enjoy and keep the faith.