RNZAF Orions: Final Flight, January 31, 2023

Post Reply
Message
Author
Karearea
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 4746
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2015 5:47 am
Location: The South Island, New Zealand

RNZAF Orions: Final Flight, January 31, 2023

#1 Post by Karearea » Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:36 pm

A more detailed schedule at this link for the last flight of the RNZAF Orions today:

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/last-flight-orions
Southern residents will be treated to the final flight of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s P-3K2 Orions today, after nearly 60 years’ service.
The last pair of the Orion fleet will take a final flight to RNZAF Base Woodbourne, in Blenheim, today, after a formation flight over the South Island.

They are expected to fly over Oamaru at 1.34pm, Dunedin at 1.49pm, Invercargill at 2.15pm and Queenstown at 2.45pm.

The flight marks the end of service for the fleet of six maritime surveillance planes, which were delivered in 1966 and flown by No.5 Squadron.

The fleet is being replaced by four Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft.

On board the aircraft will be chief of the defence force, Air Marshal Kevin Short, and chief of the air force, Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Clark, both former No.5 Squadron personnel.

The air force employed the Orions for surveillance and reconnaissance of New Zealand’s areas of economic interest, exclusive economic zone, the South Pacific and the Southern Ocean including the Antarctic.

Crews had also found hundreds of missing people drifting in vessels in the Pacific and the aircraft had been the first to arrive at the sites of natural disasters.
And with the morn, those angel faces smile...

TheGreenAnger
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 3286
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2022 11:40 pm
Location: Unfashionable end of the Western Spiral

Re: RNZAF Orions: Final Flight, January 31, 2023

#2 Post by TheGreenAnger » Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:00 pm

The Orions have clearly given New Zealand sterling service, and I am sure there will be a few lumps in throats and nostalgic waves from those who watch the farewell display flight, not least from those who owe their lives to these aircraft and their professional, often very brave, crews.

I remember South Africa was contemplating buying them in the 1970's but couldn't because of the "arms" embargo and was forced to soldier on with the Shackleton's which did not have the range and the electronics of the Orion. The Shackleton's were used right up until 1984, and the SAAF and the SA Navy really have had no credible replacement in use from then to this day, currently using the Dassault Falcon 50 when some corrupt government minister hasn't commandeered one of the 2 the available aircraft, on the rare days when they are airworthy!
In 2011, the aircraft carrying Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe made a precautionary landing in New Zealand due to a warning light activating, caused by a faulty sensor in the aircraft. Also in 2011, mechanical difficulties on an aircraft intended to be used by the Deputy President caused the planned official visits to Finland, Sweden and Denmark to be cancelled.
- Wiki

https://saafmuseum.org.za/the-shackelton-in-the-saaf/



At least New Zealand is getting a very good modern replacement for these aircraft in the form of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_P-8_Poseidon

OrionPoseidon.JPG
My necessaries are embark'd: farewell. Adieu! I have too grieved a heart to take a tedious leave.

Karearea
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 4746
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2015 5:47 am
Location: The South Island, New Zealand

Re: RNZAF Orions: Final Flight, January 31, 2023

#3 Post by Karearea » Tue Jan 31, 2023 6:33 pm

Saw the Orions yesterday in the distance, very low, just a few seconds' glimpse - enough to realise it was them, raise a glass and say "God speed" and they were gone.
And with the morn, those angel faces smile...

Post Reply