Re: Did the DC-8 and DC-10 have the largest passenger windows of all commercial jetliners?

DL_Mech wrote:

Although not technically a jetliner, Lockheed Electra?

Re: I wonder why no American aviation museum tried to preserve a Convair 880 aircraft?

convair880mfan wrote:

I wish they had picked an 880 for display at Mojave rather than the 990.

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - June 2020

Anger and dismay at Air New Zealand proposal to remove extra $150 million from its wages bill Air New Zealand may need to slash more jobs on top of 4000 redundancies it's already made as it responds to Covid-19, its chief executive says. In a letter sent to staff on Friday Greg Foran laid out a pla...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - May 2020

Another unusual visitor for Auckland - French Air Force A400M. Arrived Wednesday morning, departs later today.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300006256/au-revoir-french-air-force-planes-flying-visit-to-auckland

Re: Which aircraft types have best advantage for social distancing?

Assuming this refers to airliners (not explicitly stated, so one could highlight the advantages of a single seater like the local P-40 ;) ) and that the requirement is for no directly adjacent seat to be occupied, then surely nothing can beat the Beech 1900D? 1-1 seating, no one is next to each othe...

Re: How are some vintage airliners still operational?

Are there any specific companies that do aircraft restoration? I wanna check them out and even follow their social media accounts Two at Ardmore Airport in New Zealand, Pioneer Aero and Avspecs. No pressurised airliners yet (although they have done pressurised military types such as the Strikemaste...

Re: Favourite World War Two heavy Bomber?

Huge respect for the mighty Lancaster, it really is an excellent aircraft, as is the Halifax. But it has to be the B-24 for me. Does it look as nice as a Lanc? Not really. Is it cramped on the inside? Yeah. Was it tricky to fly? Especially when heavy. But it got my grandfather safely home each time ...

Re: Coronavirus Aviation Related News & Discussion Thread - April 2020

LH have got two flights out of BKK on route to AKL & CHC are these repat flights for the Zealand government? I think they're German repatriation flights just fuel stopping in BKK? Though I can't be sure, haven't actually checked on fr24. Yes - German repatriation flights. There were something l...

Re: Favourite World War Two Light/Medium Bomber

Looks like another thread of excellent aircraft and photos! :bigthumbsup: Can't quite place my finger on why, but I quite like the Martin Maryland light bomber. Quite sleek looking. This aircraft lost out to the Douglas A-20 in USAAC trials (XA-22), but was picked up by the British and French, often...

Re: Favourite World War Two Fighter

Reminds me of the B-25s with 8 (10?) .50 cals on the nose, but obviously better and more formidable. Eight in the nose and four in the packs for the solid-nose Js :shock: 2308591 I'll see your twelve, and raise you two more ; the dorsal (upper) turret could also aim forwards to provide a total of 1...

Re: Favourite World War Two Fighter

Reminds me of the B-25s with 8 (10?) .50 cals on the nose, but obviously better and more formidable. As the waiter might say, “great choice, sir”. Eight in the nose and four in the packs for the solid-nose Js :shock: 2308591 Instead of four of the .50s, the B-25H had a 75mm cannon.... All great cho...

Re: Favourite World War Two Fighter

For me, it is a very difficult choice Agree with it being a very difficult choice, Ozair! My top three probably would be... Supermarine Spitfire, especially the later Merlin marks (VIII, IX, XVI) - great looks, sound and performance, stunning aircraft. A case of if it looks right, it flies right. 0...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - January 2020

Anyone flown on UA flight SFO - AKL wondering how the 781 is....presume not much difference to 789 but curious as looking to book a trip Just flew back from SFO a few days ago on United 787-10 N12010. I can't compare to the 787-9, but would definitely take the United 787-10 over the Air NZ 777-200E...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - August 2019

Close up exterior view of the former ZK-NZC, the last surviving NZ DC-8. Last registered as PP-TPC and sitting in Manaus, Brazil, since 2005 https://www.facebook.com/bringourbirdshome/videos/480317309465935/ Unfortunately stripped on the inside, but looks otherwise pretty good for sitting outdoors f...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread -July 2019

After looking on flightrader24 I noticed a Jetstar Dash8-Q300 At Nelson Airport But on Wikipedia it says that Jetstar Have no Dash8s . Does anyone know how many they have in there fleet Jetstar itself has no Dash 8s, but Eastern Australia Airlines fly five Dash 8-300s in Jetstar colours on NZ regio...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - June 2019

About time the Hercs have a successor! Guess you have to replace a Herc with a Herc, the low-risk option on a tight budget. Both 727 and 757 are ex-commercial aircraft. By memory, the 757 are ex, Air Canada. Given, the fleet size, 2. The fact they have very little to cart around.. I'm sensing a narr...

Re: Help me buy for my new museum

I love the idea of the Convair 880. With enough money, can I get one? Do any exist? While searching on Google, I found this http://www.juliensauctions.com/auctions/2015/elvis-presley/index.html It was originally owned by Delta, and later Elvis Presley purchased it to use as his private jet. Otherwi...

Re: How many DC-3's are still operational?

Three down here in NZ, all converted to DC3C-S1C3G after military service: ZK-AWP with Air Chathams. Built as C-47B-30-DK in 1945, USAAF 44-76803 then RNZAF NZ3543 and NAC ZK-AWP. This one does charters typically, but a only few years back was still on scheduled pax flights. ZK-DAK with FlyDC3. Buil...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - March 2019

Auckland Seaplanes DHC-2 Beaver ZK-WKA has flipped on landing in the Auckland Harbour. Pilot escaped ok, but the Beaver has sunk. This was the amphibian (-AMA is straight floats). Oddly, it looks like the wheels were down. https://i.stuff.co.nz/auckland/110956138/emergency-services-respond-to-report...

Re: Shortest lived airline livery.

And Air New Zealand's wavy teal colours livery (very classy) didn't last very long, did it? The Pacific Wave livery was introduced 1996. From 2006 the waves on the forward fuselage were removed from domestic and then international, although at least one of the 777s retained the waves until last yea...

Re: Finally. Singapore announces F-35 as F-16 replacement.

I wonder if the RSAF would participate in any joint training/maintenance of the F-35s with the RAAF? I guess the established F-16/F-15 arrangements in the US may be more attractive to the RSAF to expand to include the F-35. Singapore does conduct basic flight training in Australia but nothing beyon...

Re: Would a B-52 passenger variant have been possible?

Albeit smaller, the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar was the passenger version of the Hudson/Ventura bomber and it certainly was not a high wing aircraft. In this case the design layout was set by the airliner role. The Hudson was a patrol/bomber derivative of the 14 Super Electra, hastily mocked up when...

Re: A400M Update

If I were forced to put money down I'd say for NZ the odds are in 1; Embraer, 2; C-2, 3; C-130, 4; A400M winning. I don't think a split buy happens, fleet is too small. Again, we're not talking about needing to land on gravel strips, which is a useless advantage for any offering here. Given this is...

Re: Sea Planes with retractable floats?

Why have there not been Sea Planes designed with retractable floats. Seems like the floats would create a ton of drag. Say hello to the Blackburn B.20, a British patrol flying boat/floatplane (depends how you look at it!) which first flew in 1940. The idea was to lower the float to keep the props c...

Re: OLdest flying passenger airliners

What about Air Chathams and their Dc-3s? Does ZK-AWP count? Not sure it does regular scheduled pax services anymore, but certainly does carry fare-paying pax on charters and scenic tour packages. 1945-build C-47B-30-DK, converted to DC-3C and then Skyliner by NAC. At any rate, the Air Chathams Conv...

Re: Why no commercial jets airlines build with wing on the top?

High wings either need long (heavy) landing gear from the wing, or extra fuselage structure to bear the loads from the wing box down to the fuselage mounted gear (also heavy). For the former, if it's a jet, that's a lot of space taken up by undercarriage which otherwise would be fuel or it needs an ...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - July 2018

Where does this leave Whenuapai? Housing? It's a large facility for a couple of 757s. Is there anything else based there still? Hercs (40sqn) and SH-2s (6sqn) are still based there, as well as the 757s (40sqn also). Ohakea would be a bit full moving 40sqn down along with 5sqn (P-3s, future P-8s), e...

Re: NZ and Korea Choses P-8A

RNZAF P-8A purchase has been confirmed by cabinet today. 5sqn will receive four P-8s, commencing operations in 2023, replacing the six P-3Ks which were delivered from 1966. The squadron will move from Whenuapai to Ohakea due to runway restrictions. Also, it seems NZ will consider potentially adding ...

Re: ATR 42/72 vs. Dash-8 landing gear

A question that keeps me awake at night. I see two different approaches to the landing gear in those two airliners. ATR went for "An-22 type" while Dash-8 decided to copy An-24. :stirthepot: :-D My question is why? Both planes were developed approximately at the same time, so it can't be ...

Re: Kawasaki P-2 and C-2 for New Zealand?

Ozair, You have already noticed that the armaments have become heavier and bulky over time. This is not so serious for the reality of the US military which has other rather heavier transport aircraft. For operators where the Hercules is the greatest equipment this can be a rather serious problem. T...

Re: NZ and Korea Choses P-8A

But we need 5 at least, we have one of the largest SAR zones in the world, 4 won’t be enough. The Boeing P-8 isn't really primarely a SAR aircraft is it ? The RNZAF's six P-3K2s are the main SAR asset in the South Pacific and SAR is their primary role alongside fisheries. So those P-8s are just goi...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - March 2018

Overall I'd read that as the P-8 being the clear frontrunner. He was the same guy who was scathing of the C17, due to the steep ticket price. So I find it hard to believe he would support mega expensive P-8s too. The C-17 was more capability than the NZDF reasonably needed. As much as I would have ...

Re: Kawasaki C-2 news, prospects and discussion

Can’t really see how you can replace the 757 and C130 with one type They are built for two totally different purposes C130 J and the 788 is the answer here Well, I have to say, I'm picturing the response on the Civ Av forum to the notion that the ideal 757 replacement is a military airlifter! :D It...

Re: Kawasaki C-2 news, prospects and discussion

I agree that NZ looks likely to be the first export customer for the C-2. I just can't see it effectively replacing the two 757s in the RNZAF fleet.... Cheers Bunumuring Why do you think the C-2 cannot replace the 757 in NZ service? From a capability perspective the C-2 has a longer range with the ...

Re: A320 MPA as Orion / Atlantic Replacement, France , Germany

Hey guys, NZ is kind of looking for P-3K Orion replacements, with some kind of offer/approach for P-8 Poseidons on the table and speculation over a possible Japanese P-1/C-2 joint purchase .... Perhaps an A320MPA offer has/will be made to NZ? With Air NZ's expanding A32X fleet of ceos and neos, an ...

Re: One type airlines

Rex (Regional Express - Australia): 53 Saab 340s

Re: Embraer KC-390 prospects

The C-130J can lift more by weight, lift more by volume, fly further, land on a shorter runway and then takeoff from a shorter runway. All on the one mission. It can even loose an engine due to enemy fire and still get the job done. The KC-390 will be a very hard sell. Low end militaries will go us...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - January 2018

One of the two additional Saab 340s for Air Chathams is due into AKL about 1730 today from HIR. Yesterday it was GUM-HIR. N135GU (s/n 340A-135) was originally delivered to Finnaviation as OH-FAD. ZK-KRA (s/n 340A-065) was also delivered to Finnaviation as OH-FAA and both were with SprintAir until 2...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - December 2017

Oh for sea planes over twin islanders.... it's okay to dream about twin otters isn't it? Imagine the day when you could land at Tryphena again - and direct from Auckland harbour! Here's to the Twin Otter dream! :highfive: For some reason, however, the Twin Otter just never seems to have gained trac...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - December 2017

Hi All can somebody help me with the registration of this aircraft: http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/001371005.html I tried to find it, but without airline/operator it is difficult, I assume it is a Beech, and it looks like "Starship" on the tail? Cheers micha ZK-SSH I think? Ye...

Re: Ex Air NZ DC8 Recovery Operation from The Amazon

Progress! Looks like ZK-NZC is close to coming home! :D :hyper: Infraero has apparently accepted the offer and wants to sell the DC-8. Looking forward to seeing this one polished-up! https://www.facebook.com/bringourbirdshome/photos/a.1446210925402739.1073741828.1446206205403211/1731412900215872/?ty...

Re: Naming Specific Routes

NZ's Coral route Is this New Zealand to North America? It's an old island-hopper route across the Pacific operated by TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Ltd), Auckland to Papeete via Fiji, Samoa and the Cook Islands using Short Solent flying boats. The last flight was 15 Sept 1960, with the aircraft which...

Re: Ex Air NZ DC8 Recovery Operation from The Amazon

Love to see ZK-NQC come home too. Flew on her not too long before she departed on a replacement flight for NZ. Never flew NZC only NZD. So does this mean they will de-assemble ZK-NZC and put her on a ship and then reassemble when back in NZ? Can't imagine those engines will spool up again after 10 ...

Re: Ex Air NZ DC8 Recovery Operation from The Amazon

hopefully there will be full video, including video of the flight from inside the cabin. They have videos of what has been done so far on the Facebook page and intend to document and record the entire journey, so it should make for some good viewing. But as for flight, I'd say this bird has had its...

Re: Ex Air NZ DC8 Recovery Operation from The Amazon

I really hope they pull this off! I've been pondering what could happen to that DC-8 for years, whether it could be saved and was really disappointed when Air NZ didn't take the chance for their 75th anniversary or when the 787-9 of the same registration was delivered. Unfortunately they don't seem ...

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - October 2017

Just going back to the thread from the start of this year.... remember the talk of where the ex-Air NZ/NAC/TEAL survivors are... Just adding a bit to the count from the previous thread regarding surviving ex-Air NZ/TEAL aircraft in case anyone else is interested. It looks like DC-8 ZK-NZC (PP-TPC) w...

Re: Auckland Airport Fuel Shortage - Resulting in diversions and cancellations

Two: Wrong country. New Zealand doesn't do road trains -- at best they do B-doubles (so, limited to about 30T of fuel). It would take a couple of those to fill a single A380. Sadly the road infrstructure into most airports wouldn't be able to cope with the vast number of tankers that would be requi...

Re: Fly Baghdad CV-580

This also happens to Air Chathams on FR24. They share the IATA code CV with Cargolux, so often FR24 shows a Cargolux Metroliner or CV-580 cruising about NZ
Then again, it could just a CV-580 thing......