No. 42 Squadron RNZAF

No. 42 Squadron is an active transport squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). It was formed at Rongotai Airport (Wellington) in December 1943 to provide a communications service around New Zealand, initially using impressed civilian types. It was briefly officially disbanded in 1946, but its aircraft continued with general purpose operations at RNZAF Station Ohakea (near Bulls). When reformed, the squadron was equipped with various numbers of North American Harvard, Auster, Grumman Avenger, Airspeed Oxford, de Havilland Devon, North American P-51 Mustang and Douglas Dakota aircraft.

No. 42 Squadron RNZAF
ActiveDecember 1943 – present
Country New Zealand
Branch Royal New Zealand Air Force
RoleVIP flights, Pilot multi-engine conversion course, Air Warfare Officer and NCO Aircrew initial training and general transport
Part ofCO Flying Training Wing
Garrison/HQRNZAF Base Ohakea
Motto(s)Māori – "Tara Ki Uta, Tara Ki Tai"
English – "We span the land, from coast to coast"
ColorsBlue and white checkers
Mascot(s)Wood Pigeon
EquipmentBeechcraft B300 King Air 350i
EngagementsGulf War, Iran–Iraq War, Somalia
Commanders
Current
commander		Squadron Leader Rob Cato
Insignia
Squadron BadgeWood pigeon, perched superimposed on a terrestrial globe on which New Zealand is highlighted.

TBF Avengers flown by 42 Squadron pilots were involved in the first aerial topdressing trials carried out in the world, spreading superphosphate fertiliser alongside the runways at RNZAF Ohakea. Their main purpose was to tow gunnery targets (drogues and banners) for air-to-air gunnery and for the navy and army. The P-51 Mustang also provided high-speed towing of banner targets, especially for de Havilland Vampire jets, and was used extensively for co-operation in army manoeuvres.

Transformation and VIP role
Devon NZ1802 of 42 Squadron at Wellington Airport on 21 April 1971

The role of the squadron gradually changed to VIP flights (Dakota and Devon; the Devons entered service with the RNZAF from 1948), multi-engine conversion courses (Oxford and Devon), and general transport flying around New Zealand and the South Pacific region. During the visit of Queen Elizabeth in 1953/54, 42 Squadron Dakotas carried her around New Zealand. In the late 1950s the squadron's inventory comprised only Dakotas and Devons, and in the mid-1960s the Dakota fleet was enlarged to six aircraft.

The reliable but aging Dakotas were retired in 1977 and replaced by four Hawker Siddeley Andover twin-engine transports. Two were converted to full VIP configuration; one was semi-converted and one remained in the utility configuration.

To accommodate the reformed No. 2 Squadron RNZAF and its Douglas A-4 Skyhawks at Ohakea in 1984, 42 Squadron moved to RNZAF Whenuapai near Auckland and absorbed the Andovers of No. 1 Squadron which was disbanded. The squadron then had ten Andovers.

Peacekeeping role

In 1988 a Hawker Siddeley Andover joined the United Nations Iran–Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG). The detachment of 17 personnel and aircraft were based at Tehran until withdrawn in December 1990. In 1993 three 42 Squadron Andovers went to Somalia to join the United States-led Unified Task Force (UNTAF). Based at Mogadishu, they flew air transport support missions for the force.[1]

An RNZAF Andover in 1977

Training Role

Four Andovers were withdrawn from service in 1997 and the remainder in 1998. They were replaced by leased Beechcraft Model B200 King Airs. The leasing of aircraft was a new venture for the RNZAF, with a commercial contractor providing maintenance support to the aircraft on site. The workload for the aircraft is multi-engine conversion training of pilots qualified to fly single engine aircraft, continuation training for multi-engine qualified pilots and a limited VIP transport role around New Zealand.

The squadron returned to Ohakea in January 2002. It continued operating four B200 King Airs as part of the flying training wing. In 2018 the RNZAF leased four King Air 350 aircraft to replace the King Air 200 aircraft operated by No.42 Squadron, with the first aircraft arriving at Ohakea in April 2018.[2]

In July 2020, New Zealand Minister of Defence Ron Mark welcomed the delivery of the fourth and final King Air 350 to Ohakea, bringing No.42 Squadron back up to full operating capability[3]. Two of the four aircraft are permanently fitted with sensor suites, allowing for training of aircrew officers as well as multi-engine pilot training. Previously RNZAF aircrew officers were trained in Australia under an agreement with the RAAF[4].

gollark: It's kind of impressive how fast it broke.
gollark: That's a kind of worrying statistic. I wonder if it's different in the UK.
gollark: I, too, politely agree with your agreement.
gollark: I see.
gollark: Point is, I would kind of expect you to know whether you were signing NDAs to keep *your own* code secret, or some other organization's.

See also

References
  1. "The Post War Years". RNZAF. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  2. "New lease on life". NZ Govt. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  3. https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/6434-hawker-pacific-delivers-special-missions-capability-to-nzdf
  4. https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/6434-hawker-pacific-delivers-special-missions-capability-to-nzdf
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