Welcome to RNZAF Wigram – The spiritual home of the RNZAF.
This cache is one in a series to remember the Base that was once here, and the iconic aircraft that are remembered in the street names. This cache remembers two aircraft that are remembered in nearby lanes the BAC Mk88 Strikemaster and MB339 Aermacchi.
The Strikemaster, or Blunty as it was affectionately called, was a jet engine side by side (pilots sat next to each other) training and light attack aircraft, which was a development of the Jet Provost trainer. It had a top speed of 481mph (774km/hr), so it was no sloth.
A total of 146 were built between 1967 and 1983, and it saw service (some combat) in Botswana, The Ivory Coast, Sudan, Kenya, South Yemen, Ecuador, Singapore, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
The RNZAF operated a total of 16 Bluntys in No 14 Sqn from 1972 – 1991 and had tail numbers of NZ6361 - 6376. They were used for advanced pilot training, the trainee pilots having completed their ab initio training (basic wings course) on the Airtrainers.
A total of three aircraft were crashed with the loss of one pilot.
By the end of the 80’s however, there were issues with fatigue in the wings, and the type was replaced by the MB339 Aermachhi. The RNZAF still have a couple of airframes at Woodbourne for maintenance training, with one on display in the RNZAF Museum, and one at the Ohakea Museum.
********************
18 Macchi’s were operated by 14 Sqn as an advanced pilot trainer from 1991 to 2001 and had tail numbers of NZ6460 – 6477.
It has a top speed of 868km/hr (558mph). I was told by one of the pilots it was a beautiful plane to fly, and cut through the air like a hot knife through butter…
It is a formidable wee aircraft. It has an operational ceiling of 48000ft and was equipped with laser rangefinder, radar detection, AIM-9L Sidewinder and AGM-65 Maverick capability. Indeed it is a frontline combat aircraft in some countries today.
Since production began in 1978, a total of 230 have been built, and the production line is still active.
NZ6465 was lost when the engine lost power at low level, and crashed into a mangrove swamp. The pilot and pax both ejected safely. These were the 10th and 11th ejections in the RNZAF, and the 1st by a non aircrew.
In 2001, the Clark Govt announced the disbandment of the Strike Wing. After some initial difficulties in the sale being approved, 9 airframes were sold to Draken International – an American civilian contractor who provide adversary aggressor fighter training to the US Forces, and are still flying. There are various examples to be seen in NZ from Mandeville in Southland, to Motat in Akl.