Harvards set off on final mission

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 6

Harvards set off on final mission

Eight of the Royal Newl Zealand Air Force’s oldest i aircraft flew out of Wigram yesterday on one of their final missions before retirement. The Harvards were bound for Hamilton, where they will take part in their last pilot training camp in 36 years of service. The aircraft flew in four! pairs, which took different! routes over as many smalll towns as possible to give residents what might be their final look at Harvards. The eight aircraft are' among 12 still in service with the R.N.Z.A.F., which will be withdrawn at the end of next month. They will be replaced by Hamilton-built Airtrainers — 13 for immediate service, and six ordered as replace-: ments. The withdrawal of the last i Harvard coincides with the phasing-out of two other, elderly R.N.Z.A.F. aircraft types. | After the Harvard goes on June 24, it will be followed four days later by another World War II aircraft — the Dakota. Six of the, R.N.Z.A.F.’s original 48 I Dakotas remained in service until this year. One of the' survivors retired recently,, three more ‘ followed yesterday, and the last pair will go on June 30. The remaining trio of 12 R.N.Z.A.F. Bristol Freighters originally stationed in New Zealand were also withdrawn from service yesterday. Three others based in Singapore will remain operational until later this year, however. The first came into R.N.Z.A.F. hands in 1951, although the aircraft was in civil use in the late 19405. The Dakotas and Bristol Freighters will be replaced by Hawker Siddeley Andovers. formerly owned by the Royal Air Force. Eight of these have arrived in New Zealand, another will arrive soon and the last will be in New Zealand in September. Six will be based in Auckland for transport duties, and maritime patrols. The other

four will go to Ohakea—two to be equipped with V.I.P. accommodation, and the other pair for general transport use. Work on the first V.I.P. aircraft has already begun at Woodbourne, including the i fitting of carpets, soundproof-I ing, and seats similar to those i in the R.A.F. Queen’s Flight; I Andover. 1

The aircraft from all three classes which are withdrawn will be offered for sale by the Government Stores Board. Five Royal Australian Air Force aircraft will arrive at Wigram this afternoon on a two-day visit. They are Hawker Siddeley 7485, used . by R.A.A.F. officers training as navigation instructors.