Final flyover for faithful air force fleet

One of three Hercules flies over Wānaka yesterday as part of a farewell flight for the aircraft that are being retired after 60 years of service. PHOTO: RAWAN SAADI

The Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules fleet is taking a final bow around the country.

The fleet of five aircraft officially retired last Friday but have spent the past few days flying around the country saying goodbye.

Yesterday three of the planes flew from Whenuapai in Auckland to Invercargill, going down the west and centre of both islands.

They are set to leave Invercargill at 10.45am today and head north, then fly over Christchurch Airport at 12.25pm.

Members of the Alexandra community gathered to watch as three C-130H Hercules aircraft flew over Pioneer Park yesterday. Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb said the aircraft have flown around New Zealand one last time, before they would land at Woodbourne today, where they would be retired. PHOTO: ELLA JENKINS

Before that, they are set to be over Gore at 10.54am, Nugget Point at 11.08am, Balclutha at 11.12am, Dunedin Airport at 11.20am, Dunedin city at 11.23am and Oamaru at 11.38am.

The New Zealand Defence Force said in a statement four of the aircraft would then go to the RNZAF Base Woodbourne while another is planned to go to the Air Force Museum at Wigram.

The fleet clocked up more than 155,000 accident-free flying hours and nearly 100,000 landings at home and around the world.

The first three Hercules were delivered to No40 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland in 1965 and were quickly put to work, transporting personnel from NZ Army 161 Battery and aid to Vietnam.

Grayce, 13, and Quinn, 3, Padget protect their ears against the noise of the three Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules that landed at Invercargill airport on their final service flight yesterday. PHOTO: TONI MCDONALD

By 1969, the aircraft had proven so valuable in providing strategic and tactical airlift capabilities that a further two were purchased, bringing the fleet to five.

In 2020, the government announced the ageing fleet would be replaced by five new C-130J-30 Hercules.

The last of the new aircraft arrived in December, allowing the C-130H to take a well-earned retirement.

- APL

Otago Daily Times