Two Royal New Zealand Air Force T-6C Texan II trainer aircraft arrived at London-Stansted Airport on 2 August 2014 on their delivery flight. Tom Gautier was there for GAR.
The first Saturday of August saw the arrival of two of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s brand new training aircraft. The announcement that the RNZAF would buy 11 T-6C variants of the Texan II was made on 27 January 2014, by the Minister of Defence, Dr Jonathan Coleman.
© Tom Gautier – Global Aviation Resource
The aircraft are destined for the Flying Training Wing at Ohakea Air Base on New Zealand’s North Island, and their delivery flight is anticipated to take several days with multiple stops en route. The routing took them from Keflavik, in Iceland, to the UK.
© Tom Gautier – Global Aviation Resource
Both aircraft had additional fuel tanks fitted for the delivery flight, and were wearing US registrations N2824B and N2826B. It is reported that they are to carry on to Ciampino International Airport in Italy. On entry into service the two Texans will be NZ1401 and NZ1402.
The first Wings Course at Ohakea on the T-6C is due to commence in January 2016.
I saw this aircraft at Ahmedabad Airport (VAAH). I clicked some pics with the machine.
Great catch! Any info on the rest of the ferry route? It looks like they are going to make a stop somewhere in Greece maybe and we would love to see them.