RNZAF
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RNZAF
Recently whilst I was looking through a new copy of AVIATION ILL I saw an article stating that the Gov (some faceless person) had got rid of the RNZAF. Removing gate guard are removed in the UK but it seems in nz that they are a bit more ruthless, or is this just a WIND UP?? Cad anyone tell me which it is please
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No wind up, but a lady PM who had demonstrated about the arrival of the A4s a long time ago and when offered cheap F16s elected to bin all Skyhawks and Aermaccis instead. The Kiwi Transport, helicopter and Maritime fleet survive (just).
Guess there will be a few job applicants from our colonial mates to join the UK Armed Forces after this. I already know of 1 Kiwi helicopter pilot and 2 aussie crewmen in the RAF.
Guess there will be a few job applicants from our colonial mates to join the UK Armed Forces after this. I already know of 1 Kiwi helicopter pilot and 2 aussie crewmen in the RAF.
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Gate gaurds...well Ohakea still has a Vampire out front which may get replaced by an A4 in the near future..oops A4's can corode what am I thinking?
Tiger_mate...stand by for the first of the colonials to pitch up soon-ish. However, it looks like the choice of Aircraft if you dont have a British passport is limited... like only one...but that beats zero in this outfit!
Incentives to stay in NZ...can anyone think of any?? (ok the beers pretty bloody good, there are some nice mountains to pole around and the 2.23 days of summer are reasonably warm but thats about it).
[ 07 August 2001: Message edited by: kmagyoyo ]
Tiger_mate...stand by for the first of the colonials to pitch up soon-ish. However, it looks like the choice of Aircraft if you dont have a British passport is limited... like only one...but that beats zero in this outfit!
Incentives to stay in NZ...can anyone think of any?? (ok the beers pretty bloody good, there are some nice mountains to pole around and the 2.23 days of summer are reasonably warm but thats about it).
[ 07 August 2001: Message edited by: kmagyoyo ]
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Regrettably, this is no wind up. I feel massively sorry for the Kiwi's. I've had the pleasure of working with some, both in BH and on exercise and they're a highly professional bunch. Their morale must be rock bottom now that they are to lose their combat capability. I sincerely hope that the RAF looks favourably upon any applications to transfer. The A-4 guys (single seat, swing (ish!) role, FJ with radar experience) must be particularly well qualified to slide gracefully into one of our many empty cockpits with the minimum of conversion. All the best to them and the RNZAF.
M2
PS Whatever happened to the RNZAF exchange slot that used to be at Brawdy?
[ 07 August 2001: Message edited by: Magic Mushroom ]
M2
PS Whatever happened to the RNZAF exchange slot that used to be at Brawdy?
[ 07 August 2001: Message edited by: Magic Mushroom ]
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The Kiwi mate ends up on the Jag- this changed about '95. Cant comment on what our resident Pom will end up doing (except keep laughing all the way to the bank).
As for moral, whats moral?? oh I know! lets cheer the boys up by making them be prison guards if the wardens go on strike this week.
(lucky escape A4's in Aussie!!)
As for moral, whats moral?? oh I know! lets cheer the boys up by making them be prison guards if the wardens go on strike this week.
(lucky escape A4's in Aussie!!)
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I fired a shot each at both the PM and Leader of the Opposition; the former for her ideological shortsightedness, and the latter for spouting crap such as, "we will reinstate a combat capability when we get the Treasury benches back." The PM didn't bother to reply, and her Opposition took six weeks to do so, and held The Singapore Air Force up as an example of what could be achieved! She totally avoided any reference to the loss of infrastucture which is a strike element, and to the disgraceful manner in which some 700 airmen have been treated. There have been no losses of any rank above Wing Commander that I'm aware of.
The trouble with the PM is that she, and many of her cohorts, are former academics with little real life experience other than as tree-huggers and protesters, and have therefore a rather simplistic view of the world. Still, the RAF and RAAF will benefit in the short-term with some very professional people who, being pilots, won't have a bruised ego or morale problem for long. Look after them!
The trouble with the PM is that she, and many of her cohorts, are former academics with little real life experience other than as tree-huggers and protesters, and have therefore a rather simplistic view of the world. Still, the RAF and RAAF will benefit in the short-term with some very professional people who, being pilots, won't have a bruised ego or morale problem for long. Look after them!
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Morale on the A4 side of the house isn't too bad, as we're reasonably busy until the end of the year. Currently we're in Darwin until end of this month and then to Singapore for FPDA exercise until end of September.
As for 14 Sqn (Fighter lead in training) they've lost it. All flying for guys on FLIT has stopped, and they've mostly resigned to exit next month. I understand the darts board is getting a good workout (although this prison guard work may change things).
I don't know how the RNZAF intends to put on all the closing down parades, as redundancy from the maintenance personnel and aircrew resignations will have taken effect. May have to call in all the senior officers to fill the ranks. There's enough of them to make up a damn good wing parade!
[ 08 August 2001: Message edited by: Douglas Driver ]
As for 14 Sqn (Fighter lead in training) they've lost it. All flying for guys on FLIT has stopped, and they've mostly resigned to exit next month. I understand the darts board is getting a good workout (although this prison guard work may change things).
I don't know how the RNZAF intends to put on all the closing down parades, as redundancy from the maintenance personnel and aircrew resignations will have taken effect. May have to call in all the senior officers to fill the ranks. There's enough of them to make up a damn good wing parade!
[ 08 August 2001: Message edited by: Douglas Driver ]
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Kmaggy, Sam & D2,
Ah Darwin...enjoyed the place some years back when we took an AWACS there. On a more serious note, whilst it's a long way from home, I'm sure the RAF would rip the arm off any RNZAF pilots who wanted to defect. This would be particulary true for A-4 and MB339 mates. All you'd have to do was get used to working with us poms.
All the very best for you chaps in the future,
Regards,
M2
Ah Darwin...enjoyed the place some years back when we took an AWACS there. On a more serious note, whilst it's a long way from home, I'm sure the RAF would rip the arm off any RNZAF pilots who wanted to defect. This would be particulary true for A-4 and MB339 mates. All you'd have to do was get used to working with us poms.
All the very best for you chaps in the future,
Regards,
M2
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There have always been exchange pilots on 75, and as recently as Easter this year an airshow featured an A4 display by an RAF pilot, (or so they said). There have always been Kiwis in the RAF, as I believe NZ was one of the few countries where places were made available.Certainly there are many examples that I can think of.
There is a military strip south of Darwin called Tindal. It was built by the RAAF some 30 -odd years ago, and was to be christened at an appropriate time by a ceremonial landing by an RAAF type.Before that could happen however, an RNZAF DC6 en-route from Darwin did a touch and go!Isn't rivalry wonderful!
There is a military strip south of Darwin called Tindal. It was built by the RAAF some 30 -odd years ago, and was to be christened at an appropriate time by a ceremonial landing by an RAAF type.Before that could happen however, an RNZAF DC6 en-route from Darwin did a touch and go!Isn't rivalry wonderful!
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The display pilot at Easter (Omaka Airshow?) was the Flight Commander at 75 Sqn, and isn't the exchange pilot.
As for overseas jobs, its a fairly even split between the RAF & RAAF. RAF being favoured for some because they are offering front-line posts, although limited to Jaguar if you aren't a UK citizen/passport holder.
3 current A4 pilots are trying for jobs on the F111, but others have been told that the F18 isn't available again due to citizenship requirements. (Strange considering it only takes 3 months to get)
As for overseas jobs, its a fairly even split between the RAF & RAAF. RAF being favoured for some because they are offering front-line posts, although limited to Jaguar if you aren't a UK citizen/passport holder.
3 current A4 pilots are trying for jobs on the F111, but others have been told that the F18 isn't available again due to citizenship requirements. (Strange considering it only takes 3 months to get)
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There seems to be little logic in allocation of type. I can't see the difference , they are all offensive aircraft aren't they?
The crowd announcer at Omaka got it wrong, and as I watched the whole show from a vineyard tent, I too may have got it wrong!
Lovely bottle though!
The crowd announcer at Omaka got it wrong, and as I watched the whole show from a vineyard tent, I too may have got it wrong!
Lovely bottle though!
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Very sorry to hear what's happening to the RNZAF. I hope you chaps find some light at the end of the tunnel.
Changing the subject slightly, I was lucky enough to see the NZ Army Band play at a tattoo this week; bl**dy awesome. I think one of the best mil band performances I've ever seen. Among other great features, seeing the Drum-Major do ballet to swan lake music was hilarious.
This isn't really anything to do with aviation but I do find some irony in the fact that Trendy Labour's SDR did a good job of decimating our military bands in the UK, (one of our better recruiting tools), whilst NZ Army has a band in demand worldwide and yet is all but doing away with it's defence capability!
Guess you kiwi pilots could take up the piccolo if you can't get jobs with RAF/RAAF.
PS: Having read this through, I realise this post has no relevence whatsoever. I'll get my coat.........
Changing the subject slightly, I was lucky enough to see the NZ Army Band play at a tattoo this week; bl**dy awesome. I think one of the best mil band performances I've ever seen. Among other great features, seeing the Drum-Major do ballet to swan lake music was hilarious.
This isn't really anything to do with aviation but I do find some irony in the fact that Trendy Labour's SDR did a good job of decimating our military bands in the UK, (one of our better recruiting tools), whilst NZ Army has a band in demand worldwide and yet is all but doing away with it's defence capability!
Guess you kiwi pilots could take up the piccolo if you can't get jobs with RAF/RAAF.
PS: Having read this through, I realise this post has no relevence whatsoever. I'll get my coat.........
DD - Why just the Jag if you don't have a UK passport? That is not logical - types are decided at the end of Advanced Fg Trg depending on seat availability. Top Tip I'd aim for the RAF - all the Kiwis I know did well in the RAF (except me...). It's just you got to deal with pompous poms...
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I think the reason was explained earlier. If a Kiwi goes to war in an RAF aircraft he's only allowed to bomb things using British, or rather non-US, weaponry.I wonder if they asked Al Deere, Keith Park, Elworthy, Hannah, Ward, et al; for their passports?
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Although I'm a Pom (and proud of it), I had the great fortune (due to WW2) to do my secondary schooling in NZ. I did ATC camps at Ohakea during the war and saw my first jet there. An early mark Meatbox based at Ohakea beat the **** out of my school about 30 miles away at Wanganui just before I left in early 46. When I came home (unaccompanied) I needed my first passport. In those days if you were British you were BRITISH - Civis Romanusand your passport was issued by whichever red bit of the map you were perched on when you applied.
My first passport, which I still have, was issued by "The Dominion of New Zealand", but labelled me as "British Subject By Birth". When it eventually needed replacing in UK I did it through the Passport Office and received a standard UK passport. When I applied through the UAS for a RAF commission, the MEC asked me whether I considered myself English or NZ. I replied "British". Dissatisfied, the rather prickly don who was chairing it then asked me whom I would support in an England/All Black rugby test. I replied "England" but added that I would support the Blacks against Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Since the old buffer was a Welshman, it didn't go down too well!.
All ex-RNZAF aircrew joining the RAF should be offered a full UK passport as of RIGHT. They should also be allowed to retain their NZ passport and so to become dual-nationals.
There were two Kiwis on 208 in my time. Sadly Gp Capt "Snowy" McKee died about two years ago. RIP.
My first passport, which I still have, was issued by "The Dominion of New Zealand", but labelled me as "British Subject By Birth". When it eventually needed replacing in UK I did it through the Passport Office and received a standard UK passport. When I applied through the UAS for a RAF commission, the MEC asked me whether I considered myself English or NZ. I replied "British". Dissatisfied, the rather prickly don who was chairing it then asked me whom I would support in an England/All Black rugby test. I replied "England" but added that I would support the Blacks against Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Since the old buffer was a Welshman, it didn't go down too well!.
All ex-RNZAF aircrew joining the RAF should be offered a full UK passport as of RIGHT. They should also be allowed to retain their NZ passport and so to become dual-nationals.
There were two Kiwis on 208 in my time. Sadly Gp Capt "Snowy" McKee died about two years ago. RIP.
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Lovely sentiment Flatus, but I'm afraid the faceless ones behind perfidiuos albion would be loath to agree.In 1939 there were already 500 NZ aircrew in the RAF. Seven NZ Squadrons served within the RAF, and there were kiwis in nearly every RAF Sqn.They served in every theatre and the 11,500 aircrew suffered along with the RAF.At one stage some 25% of all aircrew in the Fleet Air Aim were kiwis.They have also fougth in every Pom war since, including the Gulf.
However, that was then, and today is now, and Princess Tony has discounted NZ 'cos he's too busy to accept an invite to visit after the CHOGM in Oz, and his minions declare kiwis as foreigners.
Personally I prefer it that way!!He's worse than ours!
However, that was then, and today is now, and Princess Tony has discounted NZ 'cos he's too busy to accept an invite to visit after the CHOGM in Oz, and his minions declare kiwis as foreigners.
Personally I prefer it that way!!He's worse than ours!