RNZAF P-8A Poseidon arrival next week

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Mehrts

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#302658 9-Dec-2022 19:39

For those interested in RNZAF or general aviation happenings, the first of four brand new Boeing P-8A "Poseidon" maritime surveilance & patrol aircraft will touch down at RNZAF Base Ohakea in the Manawatu on Tuesday (scheduled date).

These four aircraft will take over duties from the P-3K2 "Orion" aircraft which were delivered to the RNZAF in the mid 60's. Three of the six Orions have already been retired at RNZAF Base Woodbourne near Blenheim. They were operated out of RNZAF Base Whenuapai (Auckland) for their entire existence.

The purpose-built hangar for the P-8's is nowhere near completion, but they'll still operate from their designated flightline area until the buidling is complete.

Here's some more info regarding this new capability.

May be an image of aeroplane and outdoors

larknz

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#3007936 9-Dec-2022 21:47

They have been building that hangar for quite a long time

PolicyGuy

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#3007939 9-Dec-2022 21:59

larknz: They have been building that hangar for quite a long time

IIRC the new hangar and the new simulator building were supposed to be ready this month, in time for the aircraft's arrival.

Mehrts

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#3007941 9-Dec-2022 22:17

larknz: They have been building that hangar for quite a long time

Yes they have, and it's got a looong way to go yet!

PolicyGuy:

IIRC the new hangar and the new simulator building were supposed to be ready this month, in time for the aircraft's arrival.

That would have been the original plan, but a lot of things got in the way of the build process.

SaltyNZ

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2degrees

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#3007949 9-Dec-2022 23:46

larknz: They have been building that hangar for quite a long time

It's got to be up to spec. Those Poseidons will lose their shape if you just hang them on a nail.

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FineWine

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#3008056 10-Dec-2022 11:55

What a great aircraft the P3 Orion was. I was in the RNZAF from 1972 till 1983 and was posted to 5Sqn for 12 months. Being an S&S technician, over my 11 yrs I helped repaint and reupholstered all 5 Orions.

Did one search & rescue flight as an observer as duty S&S technician - oh how boring and monotonous that flight was. Looking out of the bubble window and if you think you saw something then you used binoculars. It was over the Cook Strait and we did find, co-pilot spotted first, the distressed boat. Engine failure. Did not have to drop any emergency equipment but we hung around until the tow arrived.

Their airframes must be well past their Due By Date now. We used to laugh when watching some sci-fi movie and saw the plastic sonar buoy canisters being used as some sophisticated piece of future tech.

Oh well age catches up to all of us including planes.

Well done P3 Orion 🍻

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