Shipbucket

Commonwealth and EADS


Prior to a Commonwealth Heads of government meeting in Auckland New Zealand. The Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom had a meeting in Canberra. The subject of that meeting amongst other things was Intelligence sharing and Standardising aspects of the 4 nations armed forces. Before flying to Auckland for the main meeting. Agreements were made on a number of issues. Like the RNZAF legacy Hercules fleet. The RNZAF requirement was for an Aircraft like the Hercules but capable of transporting the NH90 helicopter. The RNZAF would have liked to have C17 & C130J fleet but with the C17 out of production it was deemed impractical. However It was pointed out the A400m could carry NH90's and had the ability to be a tactical airlifter to. RNZAF had looked over British and French A400's on visits and some crews were on Commonwealth exchange with the RAF and had experience on the A400. It was felt a 1:1 replacement of the C130H with A400m would be advantageous to the 4 nations. Further discussions were had about Canada's Air to Air refueling capability. The Trudeau government were keen to reduce its dependence on the USAF. But with new procurement of Jets that required Flying Boom refueling (something the RAF were also struggling with), No clear decisions were made before it came time for the 4 entourages to emplane for New Zealand. In the following months an announcement by the New Zealand Government was made to purchase 5 EADS A400M Atlas transport aircraft.


They do say "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good". On the planned day of departure for Auckland much to the embarrassment of the RCAF and RNZAF the CC150 Polaris and Boeing 757 both went technical and couldn't fly. Highly embarrassing for both heads of government. However in secret it was agreed the Ministers would travel to Auckland on an RAAF KC30 and the entourages would Fly on an RAF voyager. A face saving press release was put out that it was on enviormental grounds the ministers were sharing fewer planes. On the journey the Canadians and New Zealanders saw the benefit of a A330-200 based solution for their air forces. However there was significant differences. most notably in engines. The Canadians also needed a Tanker and the New Zealanders didn't however in later talks with EADS the Canadians wanted a straight copy of the Australian version including paint scheme. But EADS would treat the New Zealand order as the same order giving some unit cost savings to both Canada and New Zealand. but the RNZAF would have to be fitted with all the systems for Air to Air refueling bar the Flying Boom and the actual wing pods. but the RNZAF aircraft had the tankage and the wing plumbing and electrics. discreetly the RAF, RAAF and RCAF ordered a "Spare" set of pods and pylons to go into inventory. And RNZAF crews on exchange did participate in Air to air refueling. EADS received a joint order for 8 KCC30 for the RCAF and 2 C330-200C Voyager for the RNZAF. These aircraft were based on the RAAF version with General Electric power plant, Commonwealth exchanges round the 4 air forces transport fleets became very common. Following a review the RAF took over the "Air Tanker" fleet in its entirety returning the Voyagers to EADS for refurbishment and fitting of EADS Flying boom system booms and receivers and Cargo doors which were fitted/refitted to all Commonwealth versions

Very nice Rifleman - Particularly enjoyed the write-up

Jolly well done my old fruit

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My artwork is posted here: https://www.deviantart.com/adenandy/gallery/all

Canadian Rescue

The Canadian Airforce had purchased 6 CH46 helicopters for air rescue and a further 12 for medium transport. The rescue version was named Labrador and the transport Voyageur. The rescue helicopters were busy and useful. The canadian government decided that with the arrival of the Chinook helicopter that the Voyageaur's would be converted into an additional 9 labradors. Beoing Canada to posession of the airframes to refurbish and convert.
The Aircraft were lodged in a hanger waiting the work. On the night of 3rd of March 1975 a fire broke out in the hanger complex (arson by a disgruntled contract cleaner). The ensuing fire destroyed all 9 aircraft. This was bad enough the Canadians now had 6 labrador aircraft in the course of the rest of that month 2 were to be lost to mechanical failure and 1 to an electrical fire. Crisis had hit the Canadian airforce.
They quickly diverted Sea King aircraft to the rescue task. The USCG, USAF and Air National Guard provided coverage. With the Sea Knight out of production various options were looked at. Including buying second hand aircraft from the Americans, New aircraft from America, UK,Italy & France were all examined as options. including various Sea King's, Super Frelon's even the HH53 Sea Stallion. The Chinook had been ruled out as impractical.
Experience with the USCG HH-3 and US ANG HH-3's influenced the decision. The HH-3 was out of production in the US so Agusta in Italy were awarded the contract to produce the CH-125 helicopter. The First delivered in late 1976 and the first squadron 103 was operational and was reviewed by the Queen in her Jubliee review of the RCAF.

I don't know why, but I always liked the colour of the Canadian rescue aircrafts.

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My deviantart account
http://cascadiasb.deviantart.com/?rnrd=191663

Before I forget or something like that

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In your dreams. ~ Yae Miko
報園-872 (方義鑑銃)
Patriotic Presentation Number 872, Q-102 (A6M3-32 captured in Buna, New Guinea)

Very nice Dutch Halifax

Anternia

R-26 Leviathan

https://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/20 ... guille.png


A-12 Leviathan

https://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/20 ... iathan.png

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Themax

Current projects :
- Belmantverse AU

Thailand, Type 88 medium tank (Thai solar calendar utilized + Turtledove)


Spain, Vought F-8A Crusader


Indonesia, Beriev Be-6


Israel, Sd.Kfz.171 Panther Ausf.A
This actually raised a lot of eyebrows on dA ngl

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In your dreams. ~ Yae Miko
報園-872 (方義鑑銃)
Patriotic Presentation Number 872, Q-102 (A6M3-32 captured in Buna, New Guinea)

A (almost overdue) shipment has arrived today!

Switzerland, Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXc


Italy, Curtiss H-75A-4 Hawk


Manchukuo, Kawasaki Ki-61-Id


Japan, Nakajima J5N1-MX


Egypt, Ilyushin Il-10M


Republican Spain, Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vc (a continuation of Naixoterk's own Republican fighter squadron in GB)

_________________
In your dreams. ~ Yae Miko
報園-872 (方義鑑銃)
Patriotic Presentation Number 872, Q-102 (A6M3-32 captured in Buna, New Guinea)

Had these made a week ago, my Idea for alternate planes and paint schemes for a stronger Vichy France:

Arsenal VG. 35


Arsenal VG. 40

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Gotta take the good with the bad,
Smile with the sad,
Love what you got,
And remember what you had.