Strikemaster’s last Tauranga display

The two former RNZAF Strikemasters are about to depart for a new life in the USA. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

The two former RNZAF Strikemaster jet trainers appearing as a feature of the Classics of the Sky Tauranga City Airshow this weekend, will be on display in New Zealand for the last time.

It will also be the last opportunity for anyone to go for a ride in an aircraft that was the mainstay of the RNZAF strike force from 1970 to the mid-1980s, when wing spars began cracking up because of heavy use and the turbulent New Zealand environment.

Both Strikemasters and all the air craft spares have been sold to Blue Air Training based in Las Vegas, USA, says former owner Brett Nicholls on a post to the Wings over New Zealand Show Facebook page.

'It's with some sadness that I would like to inform you that both my Strikemasters and all spares have been sold,” says Brett.

'The decision to sell was not taken lightly, however, it has to be acknowledged that the landscape for Strikemaster operations has changed significantly over the last few months which had the potential to drastically increase the maintenance costs on the aircraft and the length of time each aircraft would be out of the air.”

Brett discovered late last year that Blue Air Training had bought all the Strikemaster and Jet Provost spares from Australia, which was his main source of spare parts.

Blue Air Training also has an extremely close relationship with the company in the UK that has the other significant inventory of Strikemaster spare parts.

The reduction is parts availability meant that running a Strikemaster to the CAA standards for passenger flight was going to be increasingly difficult and significantly more costly, says Brett.

In talking with Blue Air Training about it, they expressed a keen interest in getting both of Brett's aircraft and his significant spare parts package.

'To be honest, I was surprised at the swiftness of the deal offered, but Blue Air Training have been very upfront on what they want and that they will look after the Strikemasters in Las Vegas,” says Brett.

'I understand that some will view this decision quite negatively, all I can say it that the cost of operating Strikemaster jet is quite frankly ‘eye-watering' and given that these costs are only going to increase, potentially significantly, then I had to weigh up my options. My heart told me to keep the Strikemasters, but my head told me to take the offer, which I did.”

While he will look at other aircraft opportunities Brett says the decision to sell the Strikemasters is a pragmatic one in light of potential significant increasing cost in Strikemaster maintenance.

Classics of the Sky Tauranga City Airshow

The Royal New Zealand Air Force plans to display one of the new T6C-Texan ll trainer aircraft for the first time in Tauranga at the Classics of the Sky – Strikemasters at Sundown on January 21.

Replacing the CT4-E aircraft as pilot trainers, and also as the RNZAF display team, the new Texan display team is developing an air show display routine for the upcoming air show season.

The NZ Defence Force also plans to display a C-130 Hercules, an SH-2G Seasprite helicopter, a Pinzgauer light operational vehicle and the military police dogs. NZDF recruiters will also attend the air show.

An iconic amphibious aircraft is expected back in Tauranga for the first time at an air show for many years. The Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina will be a welcome sight in the Tauranga skies this week and at the show.

Plans for high speed vehicle races down the airport runway are well underway. One of the superbikes on the display list is the 2014 Suzuki Hayabusa, which broke the land speed record for the Ashburton Speed trials in December, with a top speed of 308.7km/hr.

Other vehicle races planned include a group of high performance dragsters, and the Nissan GT-R 35 from Farmer Autovillage racing against the Yakovlev-Yak 55. Aircraft on display also include classic, sport, aerobatic and RC model aircraft too.

The public can purchase a ride in a BAC Strikemaster Jet or the P51 Mustang. Gates open to the public from 1pm. ‘Live' displays start at 4pm.

There is plenty of parking on the field, as well as lots of food and beverage sites. BYO alcohol is not permitted.

For more information go to: www.tcas.co.nz Or email: airshow@classicflyersnz.com or phone 07 5724000.

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