RAAF and USAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III displays

The two largest aircraft at the tattoo must have been the two Boeing C-17A Globemaster III's from the RAAF and the USAF.

The first photo is of the RAAF aircraft, registration A41-212, which was on static display and open to the public. It's a huge space inside! You'll notice the lack of people around it when I took the photo - that's an advantage of turning up early - small queues and less people to get in the way of the photos :-)

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, A41-212, operated by the RAAF

The USAF also sent a C-17A along and it was this aircraft which performed a couple of display routines during the day. It's an awesome sight to see an aircraft this size being thrown around like it was. What surprised me the most however was that is was fairly quite. Modern engines help a lot!

Here are a few photos from the displays. Display aircraft was 05-5146.

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, 05-5146, operated by the USAF

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, 05-5146, operated by the USAF

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, 05-5146, operated by the USAF

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, 05-5146, operated by the USAF

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, 05-5146, operated by the USAF

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, 05-5146, operated by the USAF

C130 Hercs

It wouldn't be an airshow without some C130's being present. The RNZAF had several of their fleet on display [both static and flying], along with the Canadians sending a Royal Canadian Air Force-operated Lockheed-Martin CC-130J-30, registration 130601 and the Singaporean's sending a Lockheed C130H of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Anyway, here are the pictures.

Lockheed-Martin CC-130J-30, 130601, operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force

Lockheed C130H, operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force

Lockheed C130H, NZ7002, operated by the RNZAF

Lockheed C130H, NZ7003, operated by the RNZAF

Lockheed C130H, NZ7003, operated by the RNZAF

Lockheed C130H, NZ7003, operated by the RNZAF

Lockheed C130H, NZ7003, operated by the RNZAF

Thunder Formation and the solo B757 display

The opening of the flying displays was performed by the RNZAF's Thunder Formation of two Lockheed C130H Hercules, a Lockheed P3K2 Orion and led by a Boeing 757-2K2. It's rather cool to see these large transport aircraft flying in so well in formation!

Thunder Formation by the RNZAF

Thunder Formation by the RNZAF

Thunder Formation by the RNZAF

Thunder Formation by the RNZAF

Thunder Formation by the RNZAF

Thunder Formation by the RNZAF

Later on the B757 did a solo display. The first photo is of the takeoff - a lot steeper than your usual commercial takeoff - much nicer looking also! BTW - there are no camera trick here - this is just how it looked!

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, operated by the RNZAF

Next up are more photos from the B757 solo display.

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, operated by the RNZAF

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, operated by the RNZAF

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, operated by the RNZAF

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, operated by the RNZAF

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, operated by the RNZAF

RNZAF Helicopters

This post highlights the RNZAF helicopters at the air tattoo.

The RNZAF has three helicopter types in service [and a third if you include the Navy's Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprites] - the NHI NH90, the AugustaWestland AH-109E and the Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite.

First up is the NATO Helicopter Industries NH-90:

NHI NH-90, NZ3304, operated by the RNZAF

NHI NH-90, NZ3304, operated by the RNZAF

NHI NH-90, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF

Next up are the AugustaWestland A109E Light Utility Helicopters. These aircraft now perform the ab-initio helicopter training for the RNZAF.

AugustaWestland A109E LUH, NZ3405, operated by the RNZAF

AugustaWestland A109E LUH, NZ3401, operated by the RNZAF

AugustaWestland A109E LUH, NZ3401, operated by the RNZAF

Next is a Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seaprite. This is operated by the RNZAF for the NZ Navy.

Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite, NZ3614, operated by the RNZAF

Last up, and parked up in the static display area, is this Bell B47G-3B-2, NZ3714. This is the since-retired RNZAF ab-initio helicopter trainer which has been replaced by the A109E [above]. I'm not sure if this is still airworthy... Does anyone know?

Bell B47G-3B-2, NZ3714, formerly operated by the RNZAF

Japanese Air Self Defense Force

One highlight of the airshow was being able to walk through some of the aircraft on static display. One of these was this Boeing KC767J from the Japanese Air Self Defense Force. The KC767 is based on Boeing's B767-2FK/ER commercial airliner.

There are some obvious modifications, including the large cargo door on the front left and the rather impressive refueling flying boom air-to-air refueling system out the back.

Inside are around 200 seats which makes it a bit odd that all the windows have been blanked out (still, there's usually nothing to see during any long flight, so no great loss...). Aside form that, the inside is fairly spartan with no overhead lockers or anything, all economy seating and, obviously, no IFE :-).

Boeing KC767J/ B767-2FK/ER, 97-3603, operated by the JASDF

Boeing KC767J/ B767-2FK/ER, 97-3603, operated by the JASDF

Boeing KC767J/ B767-2FK/ER, 97-3603, operated by the JASDF

Boeing KC767J/ B767-2FK/ER, 97-3603, operated by the JASDF

Boeing KC767J/ B767-2FK/ER, 97-3603, operated by the JASDF

RNZAF 80th Anniversary Tattoo at Ohakea

I went to the RNZAF's 80th Anniversary Tattoo yesterday - a lot of fun. It is going to take a long time to sort through the photos I want to share, but here are a few as a starter.

You'll see from the photos that it was a clear, sunny day [too hot really] but also with very little wind. I think I would have preferred some cloud cover to reduce the heat a little... but better than raining and a howling gale! 

These photo are of a few of the aircraft on static display. the next few posts will include some more of these, plus some of the flying.

This way to fun!

Lockheed C130H, NZ7002, operated by the RNZAF

Boeing C17A Globemaster III, A41-212, operated by the RAAF

Boeing KC-135, 62-3561, operated by the USAF

Boeing F15SG, 8323, operated by RSAF

Boeing KC767J, 97-3603, operated by the JASDF

Airbus A400M at Wellington

Today's first-of-type for Wellington is this Royal Air Force-operated Airbus A400M, registered ZM401.

This aircraft will be at the RNZAF 80th Anniversary Tattoo tomorrow, so I hope to get a look inside of it there. For now however, here are two photos from the outside.

Airbus A400M, ZM401, operated by the Royal Air Force

Airbus A400M, ZM401, operated by the Royal Air Force

Night flight from Wellington

Last Monday I went for a night flight from Wellington. It was mainly an opportunity to get current again having not flown at night for about 6 months.

Needless to say I had a couple of video cameras running and so I've included both feeds in the video for a view out the front and out the right hand side. It will look best full screen.

Gulfstream G550

Saturday's interesting visitor to Wellington was this Gulfstream Aerospace G550, N917GA. It's unclear to me who it is operated by or for, but it was only here for a short time before heading off again.

Photos are from the landing on a gloomy Wellington day [note the thrust reversers in the first photo].

Gulfstream Aerospace G550, N917GA

Gulfstream Aerospace G550, N917GA

Gulfstream Aerospace G550, N917GA

In other unrelated news, I'm hoping for a good day at the RNZAF 80th anniversary air tattoo next Saturday. All going well there will be a lot of photos available in the following week :-)