WIX Archives

Re: Can someone from NZ please explain

Posted by Graham Orphan on Fri Dec 07, 2001 06:53:49 AM

In reply top Can someone from NZ please explain posted by Paul McMillan on Fri Dec 07, 2001 06:26:53 AM

Cripes Paul....You do ask the most difficult questions. I'll try to answer, mindful that I'm not originally from here. Maybe Dave McD can put a better slant on these issues for everyone.
Re the RNZAF Museum, their acquisition of the F4U-5 back in 1984 (ish) was prudent as they had no Corsair, however they were at least closer to being able to exchange the -5 for a -1 if one came up. Alas this opportunity never presented itself. What did come up was an advanced P-40 project which could be made to represent an RNZAF P-40E. That has taken a few years but the P-40 is now well advanced and as you'll have noted from a recent image printed of the forward fuselage, the Allison is now installed and looking good. Wings are well advanced now too. As for taking a rare P-40F and converting it backward to more common P-40E standard, this can be done without compromising the airframe (i.e. it is reversable). I wouldn't have done it myself, but I guess I can understand the RNZAF taking that decision and they are doing a good job.
As for the RNZAF strike wing being dismantled by the current Labour Govt., the PM still reckons that is what the people of NZ want, despite the recent poll in which 73% of the population stated clearly that they disagreed with the dismantling of the air strike capability. How's that for responsible government? There will be a price to pay. Meanwhile, yes there's the Alpine Fighter Collection, the Hogan/Darby P-40N-1, Graeme Bethell's P-51, being community spirited, I'll kick in a CJ-6a, a T-6D and of course.....a Tiger Moth! Cripes, it really has become that embarrassing.
Cheers, GMO

Follow Ups: