British Jet Likely Choice

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31004, 9 March 1966, Page 1

British Jet Likely Choice

'.V Z Press Association) WELLINGTON. Mar. 8. Long evaluations of replacement aircraft for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the National Airways Corporation are likely to result in the R.N.Z.A.F. taking delivery of the Northrop Freedom Fighter and N.A.C. the B.A.C. 1-11, reports the N.Z.P.A.’s Parliamentary correspondent

Both the R.N.Z.A.F. and the N.A.C. have ’ m evaluating three replacement aircraft. The decisions will be made by the Government. j

The R.N.Z.A.F., which wants to replace its ageing Canberra j bombers, is considering the McDonnel Aircraft Corporaition’s Phantom F4E, the ‘Australian-built Mirage 111 and the Northrop F 5. The choice of replacement will depend on the Government’s defence review, which is under final consideration by the Cabinet. The review is expected to define whether the R.N.Z.A.F. will maintain its strike role or provide close battlefield support in the limited conflicts New Zealand servicemen are likely to be involved in nowadays. SUPPORT ROLE If the review favoured the continued use of strike aircraft—which the R.N.Z.A.F. I nrefers—the Phantom and Mirage would be considered. But defence sources believe ' the Government will choose an aircraft capable of battle- . field support because it has j been proved in South-east j Asia that ground support aircraft play a vital role. The Government will also;

have to take into account the cost of the aircraft. The Phantom and Mirage cost about £BOO,OOO and the Freedom Fighters about i £250,000. The Freedom Fighter, it is claimed, would give performance almost as good as its rivals at a third of the cost. It is considered by some defence quarters as an ideal low-cost aircraft adequate for New Zealand’s limited air strike needs. Although the National Airways Corporation does not have the same problems as the R.N.Z.A.F. it is faced with a difficult choice. SIMILAR JETS ■ N.A.C. and the Department of Civil Aviation had been evaluating the B.A.C. 1-11, the American Boeing 737 and the Douglas DC9; but the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said last night that the Government would choose between ■ the B.A.C. 1-11 and the Boeing 737. The British aircraft will cost about £1,095,000 each a< d the Boeing about £ll5 million. I

The B.A.C. 1-11 has been flight-proven, and the Boeing 737 has not yet been flown; but they are expected to have much the same capabilities. Both are short-haul jets with twin engines. Each will be capable of carrying 75 passengers and 30001 b of freight at a cruising speed of about 550 m.p.h. MAIN FACTORS N.A.C. wants to introduce jets in 1968. By then the corporation will probably be carrying 1} million passengers, 25 per cent more than last year. Factors which are expected to-influence the Government s decision in favour of the B.A.C. 1-11 are: It is cheaper and already flight proven. The purchase would aid goodwill between New Zealand and Britain, vital when negotiations are held for the export of New Zealand produce to British

markets. The Prime Minister has said the Government would prefer to “buy British."