U.K. Helicopter Purchase

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32030, 3 July 1969, Page 14

U.K. Helicopter Purchase

(From Our Own Reporter; WELLINGTON, July 2. An order is expected to be placed later this year, or early next year, for a Westland Wasp helicopter for H.M.N.Z.S. Canterbury, the new Leander - class frigate now being built in Britain, There had been some speculation that an American helicopter might be bought In fact the Minister of De-

fence (Mr Thomson) said soon after the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) announced a year ago the decision to buy the frigate, that the Navy was looking at equipment available in the United States. This was because the British decision to withdraw from South-East Asia by the end of 1971 would mean that New Zealand warships would in the future need greater compatibility with American vessels. The former Chief of Naval Staff, Bear Admiral J. 0. C. Ross, went to the United States last year and inspected a Bell Jet ranger helicopter. One was later brought to

New Zealand by the makers and was landed on the helicopter flight deck of H.M.N.Z.S. Waikato in a demonstration flight. But the Jet Ranger proved to be too long and would not fit into Waikato's hangar which is identical to that planned for Canterbury.

Moreover, as an advantage over the Jet Ranger, the special undercarriage fitted on the Wasp—rather like a bedstead with powerful and independent acting shock absorbers—allows the Wasp to remain in operation in heavy seas and high winds. With spares and other equipment the new Wasp is expected to cost about $550,000, which will be paid for Out of the $6,220,000 the Government put aside last year to meet the cost of weaponry for Canterbury.

The Wasp will join Canterbury in Britain in the latter half of 1971 before the ship has its final acceptance trials. The Navy will provide the pilot, but the Air Force will provide a six-man maintenance crew which will wear Air Force uniform but will be based permanently on Canterbury.