Crack grounds NZ Hercules in Indonesia
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Yep and it's heart-warming to think our sheep-loving brethren from across the water are willing to sign up and die for us in some far-flung land.
Would we do the same for them???
(Of course we would...!!!!
)
Would we do the same for them???
(Of course we would...!!!!
)
ZK-NSJ
Because New Zealanders are forbidden access to high tech US weaponry- some Hornet missile systems come to mind - I imagine any Kiwi at the sharp end would now be citizens of Australia.
Far Canard
I won't enter the arena referencing your isolationist stance, but considering the deeds at Chunuk Bair and beyond, it is sad to here of reference to the NZ military now being a hinderence in military operations.
It is Helen Clarke to blame. Where are your helicopters? Are they operational this week? If you send one on disaster relief do you now have any counter terrorism resources?
It is ironic that the only addition to the RNZAF in recent years has been Helen's VIP 757.
Because New Zealanders are forbidden access to high tech US weaponry- some Hornet missile systems come to mind - I imagine any Kiwi at the sharp end would now be citizens of Australia.
Far Canard
I won't enter the arena referencing your isolationist stance, but considering the deeds at Chunuk Bair and beyond, it is sad to here of reference to the NZ military now being a hinderence in military operations.
It is Helen Clarke to blame. Where are your helicopters? Are they operational this week? If you send one on disaster relief do you now have any counter terrorism resources?
It is ironic that the only addition to the RNZAF in recent years has been Helen's VIP 757.
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Location: Queensland
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Look, the Kiwis aren't stupid, they know no-one will invade their country, it is too bloody wet and cold.
And who wants to live with 10 million sheep.
Seriously though, for a country with a great aviation tradition ( remember they "pinched" our CT-4 production and then promptly sold them back to us) it is sad to see their military aviation reduced to a token gesture.
All because of the current government's stupid political philosophy on defence.
Ah well, there's always the mates over the Tasman or the good friends over the other side of the Pacific.
P.S. To you Far Canard, we got the WMD in case you hadn't heard, Saddam Insane (sic), apparently he mass destructed tens of thousands of human beings.
And who wants to live with 10 million sheep.
Seriously though, for a country with a great aviation tradition ( remember they "pinched" our CT-4 production and then promptly sold them back to us) it is sad to see their military aviation reduced to a token gesture.
All because of the current government's stupid political philosophy on defence.
Ah well, there's always the mates over the Tasman or the good friends over the other side of the Pacific.
P.S. To you Far Canard, we got the WMD in case you hadn't heard, Saddam Insane (sic), apparently he mass destructed tens of thousands of human beings.
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I dunno about that.... Have you seen the kit in the New lav-3s... Might not be a Hornet Missile System but possibly more hi-tech. Might never get used but still quite kool!
Anyways, you'll probably be assembling the NH/MH-90s that we'll be getting and tagging onto your order (to get a better discount).
Or maybe we could get your 2nd hand F-18s after you've trashed them when you get F-22s...?
Remember Herr Clarke protested over Vietnam and the arrival of the A-4s.....
Anyways, you'll probably be assembling the NH/MH-90s that we'll be getting and tagging onto your order (to get a better discount).
Or maybe we could get your 2nd hand F-18s after you've trashed them when you get F-22s...?
Remember Herr Clarke protested over Vietnam and the arrival of the A-4s.....
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stuff.co.nz
Fault stops NZ disaster relief flight
08 January 2005
By MARTIN KAY
A Kiwi relief flight to the Indonesian region worst hit by the Boxing Day tsunamis was cancelled and Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff missed the chance to visit the area after another mechanical failure with an air force Hercules.
The breakdown yesterday was the latest in a string of problems with the ageing fleet, which is due for a $226 million upgrade from next year.
It is the second time one of the two New Zealand Hercules C130s working in Indonesia has missed a relief flight due to mechanical failure.
Yesterday's cancellation came as the aircraft prepared to take aid from Jakarta to Aceh province, which was devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami.
Goff was hitching a ride on the plane to inspect the province and assess how best New Zealand could help.
The breakdown meant he missed the chance, as he was flying back to New Zealand last night.
A Defence Force spokeswoman said the Hercules could not fly because of a fault with the gas turbine compressor, which generates pressure to start the engines.
She said the plane would be grounded today for a scheduled maintenance day, but was expected to fly tomorrow.
On New Year's Eve, the other Hercules was grounded for a day and missed a scheduled relief flight after a crack was found in the manifold.
The spokeswoman said the breakdowns were "extremely frustrating" for the crews, but were due to the long hours the planes were working.
"Some of the flights aren't getting back until one or two in the morning, so they have had about two hours to do work and prep them for the next flight."
The breakdown is the latest in a string of problems with the air force fleet.
Last January, a Hercules was stranded in Niue during the Cyclone Heta relief effort after a problem with its oil gauge.
In May, air force chief Air Vice Marshal John Hamilton was forced to defend the service's planes after unspecified problems with a 757 delayed a troop deployment to the Solomon Islands.
The breakdown came a day after a P3 Orion made a precautionary landing at Tauranga after fumes were detected in the cockpit.
Act leader Rodney Hide said the Indonesia groundings showed that successive governments had underfunded the Defence Force.
"There's no doubt we've run down our military," Hide said. "Thank God for the Australians and the US."
National MP Nick Smith said two breakdowns in two weeks was "beyond a joke".
"These breakdowns illustrate just how badly the Government has run down our air force. An unreliable air force is pointless," Smith said. "The very nature of military work is that it must be responsive and reliable in emergencies."
However, Defence Minister Mark Burton accused Smith of "cheap political point-scoring at a time of crisis", when the aircraft were being pushed to their limits.
In December, the Government awarded a $226m contract to a Canadian company to overhaul the five 38-year-old Hercules.
The refit includes replacing wing and fuselage components, upgrading mechanical and electrical systems and installing new communications and navigation equipment.
The first plane will be upgraded by late next year, with the other four finished by 2010.
The work is expected to extend the life of the planes by 15 years.
THE PRESS
===========================================
Fault stops NZ disaster relief flight
08 January 2005
By MARTIN KAY
A Kiwi relief flight to the Indonesian region worst hit by the Boxing Day tsunamis was cancelled and Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff missed the chance to visit the area after another mechanical failure with an air force Hercules.
The breakdown yesterday was the latest in a string of problems with the ageing fleet, which is due for a $226 million upgrade from next year.
It is the second time one of the two New Zealand Hercules C130s working in Indonesia has missed a relief flight due to mechanical failure.
Yesterday's cancellation came as the aircraft prepared to take aid from Jakarta to Aceh province, which was devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami.
Goff was hitching a ride on the plane to inspect the province and assess how best New Zealand could help.
The breakdown meant he missed the chance, as he was flying back to New Zealand last night.
A Defence Force spokeswoman said the Hercules could not fly because of a fault with the gas turbine compressor, which generates pressure to start the engines.
She said the plane would be grounded today for a scheduled maintenance day, but was expected to fly tomorrow.
On New Year's Eve, the other Hercules was grounded for a day and missed a scheduled relief flight after a crack was found in the manifold.
The spokeswoman said the breakdowns were "extremely frustrating" for the crews, but were due to the long hours the planes were working.
"Some of the flights aren't getting back until one or two in the morning, so they have had about two hours to do work and prep them for the next flight."
The breakdown is the latest in a string of problems with the air force fleet.
Last January, a Hercules was stranded in Niue during the Cyclone Heta relief effort after a problem with its oil gauge.
In May, air force chief Air Vice Marshal John Hamilton was forced to defend the service's planes after unspecified problems with a 757 delayed a troop deployment to the Solomon Islands.
The breakdown came a day after a P3 Orion made a precautionary landing at Tauranga after fumes were detected in the cockpit.
Act leader Rodney Hide said the Indonesia groundings showed that successive governments had underfunded the Defence Force.
"There's no doubt we've run down our military," Hide said. "Thank God for the Australians and the US."
National MP Nick Smith said two breakdowns in two weeks was "beyond a joke".
"These breakdowns illustrate just how badly the Government has run down our air force. An unreliable air force is pointless," Smith said. "The very nature of military work is that it must be responsive and reliable in emergencies."
However, Defence Minister Mark Burton accused Smith of "cheap political point-scoring at a time of crisis", when the aircraft were being pushed to their limits.
In December, the Government awarded a $226m contract to a Canadian company to overhaul the five 38-year-old Hercules.
The refit includes replacing wing and fuselage components, upgrading mechanical and electrical systems and installing new communications and navigation equipment.
The first plane will be upgraded by late next year, with the other four finished by 2010.
The work is expected to extend the life of the planes by 15 years.
THE PRESS
===========================================
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All very well taking the piss out of our Herc's, they are old. Probably not quite as old as the Caribou's that you Aussies are still flying, but a little older than the F-111 that you also still operate.
I would be interested to know what airframe hours the NZ hercs have on them. Speaking to a Caribou pilot a few years back he indicated that most if not all of the fleet were under 20000 hrs. Interesting given that I have flown Cessnas half as old with 25000+
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
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Aparently, we just sold six of 12 of our "E" models, operated by 37 squadron from 1966 to 2000, to the Pakistan airforce. Actually, they were traded in to Lockheed martin on the new "J" models and then were sold on to Pakistan.
they also sold off (traded) a wrecked E for spares.
Looks like new "J's" all round guys. Not what they were meant to be though, apparently.
they also sold off (traded) a wrecked E for spares.
Looks like new "J's" all round guys. Not what they were meant to be though, apparently.
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The 757 that was grounded in Fiji a while back was due to a supposed blown engine..torched or whatever.
The problem being that the replacement engine wasn't the right sort... some differences with the fire protection system or similar.
I mean you buy 2 jets, one would've thought you'd get the CORRECT engines as spare parts.
And not too long ago heard on talkback radio was the Min. of Def saying that the P-3 Orion was not designed for ASW Ops!!
I ask ya!
The problem being that the replacement engine wasn't the right sort... some differences with the fire protection system or similar.
I mean you buy 2 jets, one would've thought you'd get the CORRECT engines as spare parts.
And not too long ago heard on talkback radio was the Min. of Def saying that the P-3 Orion was not designed for ASW Ops!!
I ask ya!
Thread Starter
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Tues "The Australian"
Red-faced Kiwis to boost aid donation
Claire Harvey, New Zealand correspondent
January 11, 2005
NEW Zealand will dramatically raise its tsunami aid after criticism of the Government's "inadequate" $NZ10million donation and embarrassment over aircraft breakdowns that have hampered aid flights.
Two New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules planes have struck maintenance problems in recent days while attempting to deliver aid to the Indonesian province of Aceh, forcing flights to be delayed and preventing Foreign Minister Phil Goff from touring the devastated region.
Political uproar now surrounds the "national embarrassment" the Opposition said was caused by the troubled Hercules, which have broken down several times in the past.
In 2002, the Hercules failed en route to Bali to evacuate victims of the nightclub bombings, and last year deployments to Nuie and the Solomon Islands were delayed by breakdowns.
New Zealand's cabinet is expected next Tuesday to approve a boost to the aid budget, which sources said could bring the total donation to $NZ80million ($73.4million) in cash, military equipment and defence personnel.
Already, more than 120 New Zealand defence, medical and police personnel are working in Aceh and Thailand.
Individual Kiwis have donated $NZ9million but the official contribution adds up to just $NZ 2.45 a person, compared with Australia's $NZ 57.25 per person.
"New Zealanders are a generous people and would expect their Government to be more forthcoming," said Opposition Leader Don Brash, adding that New Zealand should follow Australia's lead by holding a national day of mourning.
The equipment failures were a clear result of the Labour Government's lack of attention to defence, Dr Brash said.
Prime Minister Helen Clark scrapped the fighter-jet wing of the air force and decided to renovate the fleet of five 38-year-old Hercules rather than buying new aircraft -- decisions understood to have baffled and infuriated the highest levels of Australian government.
"There's no doubt we have run down our military," said Rodney Hide, leader of New Zealand right-wing minor party Act. "Thank God for the Australians and the US."
But Defence Minister Mark Burton accused his rivals of "cheap political point-scoring", saying the Hercules breakdowns were the result of the intense, constant rescue work.
"New Zealand has been very generous and a further major contribution is coming," Mr Burton said.
============================================
Red-faced Kiwis to boost aid donation
Claire Harvey, New Zealand correspondent
January 11, 2005
NEW Zealand will dramatically raise its tsunami aid after criticism of the Government's "inadequate" $NZ10million donation and embarrassment over aircraft breakdowns that have hampered aid flights.
Two New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules planes have struck maintenance problems in recent days while attempting to deliver aid to the Indonesian province of Aceh, forcing flights to be delayed and preventing Foreign Minister Phil Goff from touring the devastated region.
Political uproar now surrounds the "national embarrassment" the Opposition said was caused by the troubled Hercules, which have broken down several times in the past.
In 2002, the Hercules failed en route to Bali to evacuate victims of the nightclub bombings, and last year deployments to Nuie and the Solomon Islands were delayed by breakdowns.
New Zealand's cabinet is expected next Tuesday to approve a boost to the aid budget, which sources said could bring the total donation to $NZ80million ($73.4million) in cash, military equipment and defence personnel.
Already, more than 120 New Zealand defence, medical and police personnel are working in Aceh and Thailand.
Individual Kiwis have donated $NZ9million but the official contribution adds up to just $NZ 2.45 a person, compared with Australia's $NZ 57.25 per person.
"New Zealanders are a generous people and would expect their Government to be more forthcoming," said Opposition Leader Don Brash, adding that New Zealand should follow Australia's lead by holding a national day of mourning.
The equipment failures were a clear result of the Labour Government's lack of attention to defence, Dr Brash said.
Prime Minister Helen Clark scrapped the fighter-jet wing of the air force and decided to renovate the fleet of five 38-year-old Hercules rather than buying new aircraft -- decisions understood to have baffled and infuriated the highest levels of Australian government.
"There's no doubt we have run down our military," said Rodney Hide, leader of New Zealand right-wing minor party Act. "Thank God for the Australians and the US."
But Defence Minister Mark Burton accused his rivals of "cheap political point-scoring", saying the Hercules breakdowns were the result of the intense, constant rescue work.
"New Zealand has been very generous and a further major contribution is coming," Mr Burton said.
============================================
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Looks like new "J's" all round guys
Have they figured out how to successfully meat-bomb with them???
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NZ-NSJ
This is a network for Professionals in Aviation.
Illiterates from NZ, or Australia, just don't measure up.
If I was a New Zealander and an aviator I would also be proud of my country so would take care to post professionally.
Unless you are "taking the mickey out of us" your post should have been.
"And what would some half-bit Australian rag know about New Zealand foreign policy? Who decides what is inadequate?"
Check the difference.
So go back to a better school than the one you went to for a very short period.
This is a network for Professionals in Aviation.
Illiterates from NZ, or Australia, just don't measure up.
If I was a New Zealander and an aviator I would also be proud of my country so would take care to post professionally.
Unless you are "taking the mickey out of us" your post should have been.
"And what would some half-bit Australian rag know about New Zealand foreign policy? Who decides what is inadequate?"
Check the difference.
So go back to a better school than the one you went to for a very short period.
Kiwi PPRuNer
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oh, my mistake, next time ile make sure i have a plum in my mouth before i say anything,
and just for your information, i went to a very good school that has produced not only lord ernest rutherford, but also at least 1 former prime minister, and 1 secutary general of the comenwealth. so i suggest to you rather than spend your time being petty , go and do something usefull.
and just for your information, i went to a very good school that has produced not only lord ernest rutherford, but also at least 1 former prime minister, and 1 secutary general of the comenwealth. so i suggest to you rather than spend your time being petty , go and do something usefull.