NZDF General discussion thread

[Rob c]

The big problem I have with being to closely allied to the US is that you can get involved in things that you might not want to like Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan, none of which could be considered as resulting in a good outcome. However being on good and friendly terms is essential. The problem I have is that the current government will use the joining of any defence agreement as an excuse not to spend any money on defence as they will take the line, We have an agreement with X they will defend us so we don't need to "waste" our money on our defence we just have to alline with X's policies and all will be taken care of.
This has happened more than once in the passed and I don't see this government as being any different, possibly worse.

 

[Catalina]

During World War Two, aside from the Tiger Moths built at the de Havilland New Zealand Ltd factory at Rongotai, New Zealand produced no aircraft, yet at its peak the RNZAF in the Pacific had 26 squadrons* and hundreds of training aircraft of various types.

Question - did New Zealand actually pay for any of these aircraft or were they all gifted by the United States to us under Lend Lease?

* 13 squadrons of Corsair fighters, six of Venturas, two of Catalinas, Avengers, C-47 Dakota transport/cargo aircraft, one of Dauntless dive bombers, many transport and communications aircraft, and flight of Sunderland flying boats.