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Display Aircraft Details: RNZAF
The following sections provide some information about the aircraft from the Royal New Zealand Air Force that you'll see at Wings Over Wairarapa. |
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Red Checkers :: Sioux :: Iroquois :: Seasprite :: 757 :: Orion :: Camp:: Kiwi Blue
CT-4 Airtrainer - The Red Checkers
 The Checkers display team, flying the CT-4 work up a new routine every year and Wings spectators are the first to see the fruits of their labour in the public arena.
Initially flying Harvard aircraft from 1967 to 73, the Checkers were retired during the oil crisis of the early '70's.
During the 1980's, after the arrival of the new CT4 training aircraft, the team was again formed and continues to be a popular performer at airshows all over the country.
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Bell 47G Sioux
 MASH says it all. The one endearing scene every MASH aficionado will recall is the clip of the two Bell 47 Sioux incoming to the 4077th on a medevac mission.
The RNZAF operate the vintage 1945 Sioux as their primary helicopter trainer and will have it at Wings to provide an interesting perspective on the development of the chopper.
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Bell UH-1H Iroquois
 As the RNZAFs new helicopters come on line the old guard will be phased out, so this could be the last opportunity to hear that spectral thump of the Iroquois rotors as they approach the airfield at low level to begin their display, or to see one of the earliest marks of chopper to fly operationally.
The most recognisable sight and indeed sound in the “Fling Wing” segment is the Iroquois, first flown in 1959 it is a tribute to the design of the aircraft and the capabilities of those charged with her care that it is still in service 49 years later, despite a hectic tour of duty.
Any theatre of conflict, any natural disaster, any time of need and the Huey is there to provide help.
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Kaman SH-2g Seasprite
 The first of the new generation of Kiwi service helos to be introduced (2001-2003) is the Seasprite. Normally found in it's natural habitat at sea, this bird, rarely seen so far inland will join its older brethren at Wings Over Wairarapa 09. These serve with RNZAF Squadron 6 in support of the Navy's blue water fleet in the Submarine detection role. Very impressive.
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Boeing 757-200
 Just returned from an avionics and airframe upgrade the Boeing 757 is the big brother of the RNZAF fleet, and is operated by 40 Sqn.
The upgrade has enhanced the aircraft's capability in multiple roles allowing it to quickly transform between freight carrier, personnel transport, VIP transport and medevac capabilities, and is the same type used by the US as an executive transport for the Vice President.
The biggest aircraft displaying at Wings 09, its 2 Rolls Royce turbofans give it a range of 4000 nautical miles, and it's capable of carrying 11 pallets of cargo, or 240 people and has a maximum take off weight of 115 tonnes.
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Lockheed P3 Orion
 Despite being based on a 50 yr old design the Orion is still a mainstay of the New Zealand, Japanese, Australian, United States and Canadian Air Forces in the role of Maritime Reconnaissance and Submarine Hunt and Kill.
The Orion has engine loiter shutdown capability to maximise its range, and this will be demonstrated at Wings on 1 or 2 of the 4 engines. The RNZAF are the proud holders of the record for the longest flight achieved by an Orion of duration 21.5 hrs.
As testament to it's significant capabilities it has been developed in a huge number of variants that sees it performing such diverse roles as fire bomber, AWACS, anti drug enforcement and hurricane hunter.
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Deployed Camp
 When the going gets tough the tough get going.
Our boys in the RNZAF don't hang around in the luxury of their respective airbases, they have to tough it out under canvas when on operations, and they are setting up a deployed camp at Wings Over Wairarapa to give us an insight into the daily lot of their personnel while on maneuver's.
A mock up of a self contained encampment will feature all the aspects of a genuine operational frontline airbase, right in amongst the crowds at Wings, so this is your opportunity to see a side of the RNZAF that you wont see normally.
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Parachute Training Support Unit - Kiwi Blue
 If you have to jump out of an aeroplane, do it with these guys, you couldn't be in safer or more skilled hands.
The PTSU provides training to all branches of the Defence Force in parachute descent and when they aren't teaching others they are extending themselves and honing the skills of freefall and descent and formation jumping.
Kiwi Blue always look spectacular with the colourful canopies, trailing smoke and precision landing up close and personal,right at the front row of the crowdline.
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