Final Tour for Hueys

16 Mei 2015

The RNZAF UH-1H Iroquois were first brought into service in 1966, two of the aircraft have been donated to the air force Museum in Wigram, while an airframe will be donated to the Waiouru Army Museum for public display. Another airframe will be loaned to the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology for training technicians. Six T53 gas turbine engines would also be transferred to the ground training wing in Blenheim. Ten airframes would be sold by tender for commercial use after they had cleared US State Department approvals as ex-US military technology. (photo : geocaching)

The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s fleet of Iroquois helicopters has provided almost 50 years of service to New Zealand and has been a stalwart of Defence Force operations since its purchase. The Iroquois is scheduled to cease flying operations with the Air Force on 01 July 2015. Ahead of this withdrawal from service, No.3 Squadron from Ohakea who fly the Iroquois are making various stops around New Zealand in May.

The Iroquois is being replaced by the NH90 helicopter, which provides a significant step-up in the capability the Defence Force can provide to New Zealand.

To preserve the importance of almost 50 years of history for the aircraft with the Defence Force,  one airframe will be transferred to the Army Museum at Waiouru and two airframes to the Air Force Museum in Christchurch for public display purposes. 

The June issue of Air Force News magazine will have a feature on the Iroquois. (NZDF)

Disposal of Surplus Iroquois Aircraft Capability

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) invites tenders from prospective purchasers for the remaining Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Iroquois fleet and associated holdings, which is referred to as the ‘Iroquois package’. The Iroquois package is to be sold on an ‘as is, where is’ basis without any warranty as to fitness for purpose or airworthiness in their current state. 

The Tender is available on NZDF's SmartProcure website https://nzdf.bravosolution.com.  Tenderers must log on to access the tender and submit a response. Registration is simple and free, just click "Register Now". If you require assistance by email, this is available by email to: dcs@nzdf.mil.nz.  

All enquiries regarding this tender must be in writing through NZDF's SmartProcure message system. NZDF will endeavour to respond in writing to written enquires within four working days. 

The tender has opened on Monday, 20 April 2015 and will be closed on Friday, 31 July 2015

(NZDF)