Royal New Zealand Air Force

Rob c

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
I would surely hope so. I am of the opinion that now NZDF and the MOD have finally got their acquisition mojo together and the weak link is the pollies.
I cannot see that changing soon, there seems to be s small number heading in the right direction but the majority have more interest in their morning coffee than defence.
 
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beagelle

New Member
May be of interest to you but I once went to from Ohakea to Butterworth in Malaysia in an Andover very interesting, nil leg room but plenty of stops, overnights. and a breakdown.
Yep I would say plenty of stops. VIP or utility frame. and a breakdown helps if the overseas allowances were still in back pocket for another night on the town.
Have done 7 stops to UK a few times in C130, how many did you have to Butterworth ?
 

Rob c

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Yep I would say plenty of stops. VIP or utility frame. and a breakdown helps if the overseas allowances were still in back pocket for another night on the town.
Have done 7 stops to UK a few times in C130, how many did you have to Butterworth ?
Na I never qualified for VIP, very utility, with gear packed around us and 9 stops. Where meant to be the advanced party for a Vanguard, but in the end came in a distant last.
 

MrConservative

Super Moderator
Staff member
But I think as with quite a few, that even with the bigger lifting and carrying capacity of the NH90, there is a gap for medium tactical airlifter.
That is very true, but it has always been about compromises. And though we would love that capability gap to be closed, we will have to make do with the NH-90 and the winner of the tactical run off.
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Na I never qualified for VIP, very utility, with gear packed around us and 9 stops. Where meant to be the advanced party for a Vanguard, but in the end came in a distant last.
Well you should count yourself lucky. It could've been in a Bristol Frightener. Joy O Joy and much happiness :D It was bad enough doing a SATS in one. Built in head wind and wearing your raincoat to keep dry even though it was fine outside. Oh I forgot, the ear defenders with ear plugs as well. Now us old eagles yearn to see one flying.
 
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Rob c

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Well you should count yourself lucky. It could've been in a Bristol Frightener. Joy O Joy and much happiness :D It was bad enough doing a SATS in one. Built in head wind and wearing your raincoat to keep dry even though it was fine outside. Oh I forgot, the ear defenders with ear plugs as well. Now us old eagles yearn to see one flying.
Yes done that to. My best and worst flights in RNZAF transport aircraft were in the Frightener. you may like to watch this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFXn5JzGljc
not flying but getting closer.
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Yes done that to. My best and worst flights in RNZAF transport aircraft were in the Frightener. you may like to watch this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFXn5JzGljc
not flying but getting closer.
Yep seen that. They used to be the early morning chorus at Woodbourne along with the whine of the RR Darts of the two Argosies of Safe Air. Very hard on the head if a hard night was had the night before. IIRC the Argosy was the Whistling Wheelbarrow. I was base side - didn't go through sprog school. They were planting the first vines in the area when I was based there 1975 - 76. Now look at it - world class wines and a world class historical aviation centre at Omaka.
 

Rob c

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Yep seen that. They used to be the early morning chorus at Woodbourne along with the whine of the RR Darts of the two Argosies of Safe Air. Very hard on the head if a hard night was had the night before. IIRC the Argosy was the Whistling Wheelbarrow. I was base side - didn't go through sprog school. They were planting the first vines in the area when I was based there 1975 - 76. Now look at it - world class wines and a world class historical aviation centre at Omaka.
No vines when I was there, but the fishing in the sounds was great. The B170 had one great advantage over the Andover for me, LEG Room. as at 1.86 I had to sit in the isle on the andover with my legs in the isle. There was far more room in a Devon. The problem shown in the clip came to the fore when transporting overseas troops or visitors, when that very smokey startup and very uneven idle until warm use to turn a few faces either white or even tending green. Some yank troops once looked ready to bolt when boarding a frightener at WH to go to Waiouru when the one alongside that had not flow for a number of days started up and performed. looked hilarious. they probably wished they were in Vietnam, still going at the time.
 
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TheRedDwarf

New Member
Hello all. I'm new to this thread and I have a question.

I was reading a (recent) TVNZ article regarding how a RNZAF NH90 rescued a dutch tramper who was stranded on Mt taranaki and I couldn't help but notice that both of the crewmen visible in the photos included in the article were wearing some form of tropical-pattern multicam instead of the usual NZ DPM. I was wondering why might be the case?

As I am a new member I do not have image or link posting privileges so apologies in advance. The article is called 'Dutch tramper rescued by Air Force from Mt Taranaki'.

Many thanks.
 
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ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Hello all. I'm new to this thread and I have a question.

I was reading a (recent) TVNZ article regarding how a RNZAF NH90 rescued a dutch tramper who was stranded on Mt taranaki and I couldn't help but notice that both of the crewmen visible in the photos included in the article were wearing some form of tropical-pattern multicam instead of the usual NZ DPM. I was wondering why might be the case?

As I am a new member I do not have image or link posting privileges so apologies in advance. The article is called 'Dutch tramper rescued by Air Force from Mt Taranaki'.

Many thanks.
Gidday mate and welcome to the forum.

NZDF have a new multicam that they are introducing to replace the DPMs. It has been rolled out over the last 12 - 18 months if my memory serves me correctly. It is supposed to cover most terrains from urban to jungle to desert etc.

If you want to post links do - they just won't convert to hyperlinks until you reach 10 posts. That way those who want to follow the links can cut and paste.
 

TheRedDwarf

New Member
Ahhh, thank you very much.Do you know whether this new uniform will solely be used by the RNZAF or by the whole of the NZDF to supplement the MCUs?
 

Cadredave

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Ahhh, thank you very much.Do you know whether this new uniform will solely be used by the RNZAF or by the whole of the NZDF to supplement the MCUs?
That uniform is not NZDF issue it looks either UK or Australian issue wet weather kit, can only guess that it is a attached person on short or long look exchange. MCU is our current issue combat uniform.

CD
 

TheRedDwarf

New Member
That uniform is not NZDF issue it looks either UK or Australian issue wet weather kit, can only guess that it is a attached person on short or long look exchange. MCU is our current issue combat uniform.

CD
According to the RNZAF Wikipedia page (not the best source, I know) "In 2016 as part of the Air Warrior project, RNZAF aircrew began trialing MultiCam uniform to replace the DPM variant they have been using since the late 1980s. Trials for the uniform will be completed in 2016". There are no sources so make of it as you will.
 

Cadredave

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
According to the RNZAF Wikipedia page (not the best source, I know) "In 2016 as part of the Air Warrior project, RNZAF aircrew began trialing MultiCam uniform to replace the DPM variant they have been using since the late 1980s. Trials for the uniform will be completed in 2016". There are no sources so make of it as you will.
Yep not the most accurate or reliable source of information couldn't find anything on the Intranet or any of the NZDF magazines confirming the Wikipedia page but then again could very easily have acquired a small number from Papakura Q store.

CD
 

kiwipatriot69

Active Member
Yep not the most accurate or reliable source of information couldn't find anything on the Intranet or any of the NZDF magazines confirming the Wikipedia page but then again could very easily have acquired a small number from Papakura Q store.

CD
Who is the manufacturer of those new uniforms now in service, i did hear rumour somewhere it was china, how good is the quality?
 
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