Search:

I came across two features about the RNZAF which may be of interest to posters on this forum.

The RNZAF purchased 11 x Texan II aircraft (originally derived from the PC-9) in recent times and have...

I recall a former GOC stating in an interview that 'while we wont be flying up and down our airways every day, there are times when we need to get up there to monitor our airspace' (or words to that...

This thread started due to Russian 'Bears' flyng in 'Irish Controlled Airspace' - and our lack of intercept aircraft (and the high cost of same = low possibility of the Air Corps getting such...

Well done to all concerned ...pilots, aircrews and ground crews! Great to see the smoke generators in use! :)

Is it the frst time AC aircraft have used smoke generators?
...or do I recall an AC...

It appears they have very poor communication skills. I've contacted them a couple of times (and mentioned my keen interest in historic aviation matters) but no reply received. I'm the type of person...

Regarding air defence/jets: If leasing Gripens is not an option, the next best option for the Air Corps (imho) would be 6 of these -

In effect, 'mini' F-16's...

Great to read that the Baldonnel will finally have a (Fouga) gate guardian! Long overdue! :cool:

Does anybody here have contact with the 'Irish Historic Flight'?
I've contacted them on several...

And, as is also currently the case with the RNZAF, the Air Corps has no air defence (jet) capability.

Would it be fair to say that with the arrival of Beechcraft T-6C Texan II's the RNZAF is moving (back) towards a fast jet/air defence posture?
(e.g. pilots trained on the Texan II could progress to...

Good stuff! We are long overdue a dedicated aviation museum!

Btw, anybody here got a couple of spare 'Irish Historic Flight' stickers?
(I contacted IHC directly but got no reply)

Good to see we finally have a pro-active Minister of Defence!

It can only be a good thing to get feedback/recommendations from foreign military personnel....perhaps they will 'shake up the system'...

Who does he suggest we sub-contract it out to? The RAF?
Does he even suggest an alternative, i.e. purchasing our own jets? Type?

Would an alternative be to actually put fighters in place, and rely on UK-supplied radar/information in the interim (i.e. until our own radar system is in place)?

Thats presuming the UK/RAF would...

So, after all the discussion here regarding fighter aircraft, it would seem that we are left with three options ?

1 - Lease (new) Gripens
2 - Purchase (s/h) F-16's
3 - Maintain the status-quo...

Not a bad idea in itself. What kind of price bracket would such radar equipment fall into?
Would it be operated by the Air Corps? ...by civilian aurhorities? ...or be an extension of the UK military...

Maybe thats why the Swiss Air Force team 'Patrouille Suisse' are performing a display with their F-5's at this year's Bray Air Show (i.e. in the hope of selling some F-5's to the govt) ;)


(For...

Yes, Malta have/had 3 x Alouette III's in operation. I recall one of them flying low over an 'Isle of MTV' concert I attended in Valetta in 2010. I presume it was assisting Malta police to patrol the...

I too have previously advocated ex-Swiss F-5's as a good option for the Air Corps. While some may argue that it is not suitable - being an older design - the link you posted above shows just how such...

You do make a good argument in favour of the Gripen. I have to agree they are the best/most realistic new-purchase to make.

However, if funding cant/wont stretch to Gripens...would ex-Swiss Air...

I believe that the (current) best option for the Air Corps would be a fleet of 12 x Aero L-159 (6 x L-159 ALCA's, 4 x L-159T2's, 2 x L-159's for spares)

- They are readily available at...

No mention of UK-provided 'air defence cover' ;)

I believe we should have more than just PC-9's for the Air Corps.
However, some perspective, the Swiss Air Force have fleet of c.70 fighter jets (which includes c.20 F/A 18's) and they only...

...and that's just their 'Customs' service!

I've seen some AUS Customs cutters/crews in action on the 'Nothing To Declare' programmes on TV3 ....they are not afraid to open fire when necessary!

The current edition of 'Airfix Model World' (Jan 2015) has an excellent five-page article on the history of Fouga's in Irish Air Corps service. The magazine also includes a 6-page article on the...

Does anybody here know where I can get a couple of copies of the '50th Anniversary of Helicopter Operations' brochure/booklet produced by the Air Corps?