Air Force Cessnas?

Press, 28 August 1980, Page 17

Air Force Cessnas?

The Royal New Zealand Air Force wants three Cessna 421 Golden Eagle twin-engined aircraft to replace its 30-year-old Devons. The Government has agreed in principle to the buying of light aircraft for the Air Force’s transport

fleet, as part of an extensive armed forces reequipment programme for the 1980 s. > An. air staff, team which has been studying suitable aircraft to replace the out-, dated Devons is believed to have chosen the eightseater Cessna 4215.

Formal recommendations will be submitted to Parliament when costings have been finalised, according to an Air Force source. Cessna light aircraft are used . by several of the world’s air forces, and twin-engined models simi-

lar to the Golden Eagle are in service with the Air Forces of Finland, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tanzania, Turkey, and Zaire. The R.N.Z.A.F. bought 30 Devons from Britain as part of a big aircraft deal between 1948 and 1955, They have been used for navigation and air electronics training, and light transport Some have been used for pilot training and aerial photography. Accidents have claimed seven of the aircraft; two went to the Royal Malaysian Air Force as a gift from the New Zealand Government in 1968; and others have been sold to private owners. Only four of the original Devons remain in service with the R.N.Z.A.F. Based at Ohakea, they are used for light and short range transport. The training role will be taken over by the three Fokker Friendships recently acquired from Air New Zealand. Two are already being used and the third is due to be handed over to the R.N.Z.A.F. in October.