"LITTLE PACKAGE' OF ORIONS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30534, 1 September 1964, Page 3

"LITTLE PACKAGE ' OF ORIONS

(N Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 31. New Zealand’s five Orion anti-submarine aircraft would have a strong deterrent effect on any submarine force threatening New Zealand waters and would also make New Zealand capable of “pulling her weight” in an anti-submarine role in the event of war, the deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Commodore T. F. Gill, said today. At a press conference he outlined the aircraft’s capabilities. proposed role with the R.N.Z.A.F., and strategic importance. “We don’t know yet when ithe Orions will be off the

production line, but we’re shooting for mid-1966,” he said.

Sunderland flying-boats would be retained for some time, said Air Commodore Gill. Then they would be disposed of through normal channels. “With five Orions New Zealand will have a competent little package,” he said.

At a combat radius of 1000 miles an Orion—using all four engines—would be able to remain on station for seven hours. By closing down two engines the aircraft would be able to remain in the area for another two hours. It took an Orion three hours to fly 1000 miles, he said. A Sunderland took eight hours. Special detection equipment, including the magnetic anomaly detector (M.A.D.) which could -see under the water, made the aircraft a “terrific worry" to any enemysubmarine captain. The type of mission being (undertaken would rule what

weapon types were carried, Air Commodore Gill said.

A full range of weapons would be available at operational bases. The aircraft’s normal crew was 10. but in special operations and on flights of long duration the number would be increased to counter fatigue and provide additional specialist officers. Although the primary task of the Orion would be antisubmarine work, secondary duties could be undertaken, including search and rescue, emergency troop lifts, command and control, weather reconnaissance and mine laying. Orions would be based at the R.N.Z.A.F. station, Whe□uapai, and most operations and training would be carried out from there.

However, aircraft would periodically be detached and operational sorties flown from Nandi, Fiji, Hawaii, Australian bases, and on exercises from any bases in the Pacific or South-east Asia that might be required.

New Zealand airfields which could be used were Whenuapai, Ohakea, Christchurch airport, Mangere, Wellington airport, and Dunedin airport, Air Commodore Gill said. Frigates and Orions, both working in anti-submarine duties, were complementary and were directed by a joint control, he said. Both frigates and Orions had advantages for specific tasks. He expected Orions to be fully effective for 15 years. Of rescue work in the Pacific Islands, so competently carried out by the Sunderlands, Air Commodore Gill said their place would not be taken by the Orion. Land based, the Orion would not be able to operate to the hundreds of tiny islands served by the Sunderland. However, many air strips were being built on smaller islands by commercial aviation interests which proposed to operate their own small aircraft to these points.