A few ex-RNZAF types – now history

Nice pictures mate, thanks for sharing.

-Dazza

That beats Hendon pre war displays coloured ribbons.
mmitch.:)

And again

And here is a shot of the Skyhawks of No 75 Squadron during a display at Whenuapai, doing the world-unique trick of formation aerobatics whilst coupled together with inflight refuelling hoses. These pilots were so good.

The Boeing 727 – we had two of these in service and they were generally referred to in RNZAF circles as the Boing, or the Vomet Comet. Recently replaced with nice Boeing 757’s so I guess the nicknames can still apply.

One of the Boeings is now at the training school at Woodbourne.I guess the other was scrapped?

One of the more warry painted Andovers – while I was in the RNZAF they wore four different schems at the same time – green and brown (as seen above taking off); green and grey (seen here); all over white (UN colours, x2) and while, blue and grey VIP Andovers (x2)

Andover taking off from Whenuapai

Here is one of the ten Andovers used by the RNZAF. They were bought second-hand from the RAF in 1977 and played a vital role in the RNZAF in transport and logistics. They did a heck of a lot of work around NZ and the Pacific. They were also the trining aircraft for converting onto multis. It is the fact that these were not replaced properly that annoys me more than the loss of the combat wing. The Andovers were the workhorses of the RNZAF. They replaced them with four leased Beech King Air airliners – totally different type of operational aircraft and in my mind a waste of time as a replacement.

A close up of the Wasp. I don’t know what became of the ex-RNZAF Wasps. They used to operate out of RNZAF Hobsonville from the same hangar as No 1 Technical Training School where I learned my trade, and I found them a fascinating little chopper. Tiny and cramped compared with their huge replacements.

Here is one of the Wasps that used to work off the frigates in the Navy, yet they were RNZAF. These were replaced with the Kaman Seapsrites