Flight Engineers mark the retirement of their Brevet
On Saturday 29 March, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Flight Engineers gathered at Air Force Museum of New Zealand to mark the official retirement of the Flight Engineer's Brevet — a significant event for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
The retirement of the P-3 Orion and C-130H Hercules also meant the last flights by RNZAF Flight Engineers. The new aircraft, the P8 Poseidon and C-130J Hercules do not require Flight Engineers.
The last flight of an RNZAF Aircraft with a Flight Engineer in the crew was when Hercules 7001 landed at the Museum on 19 February.
Fifty-seven former and serving Flight Engineers, accompanied by their partners and colleagues, attended the function at the Museum. It commenced with a reading of the roll of honour of Flight Engineers who had died in Service. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded, a minute of silence was observed, and a wreath was laid at the Roll of Honour.
The wreath was laid by Noel Moffat, who served from 1964 to 1979, accompanied by Flight Sergeant Darren Matheson, who joined in 2011 and is still serving.
The Museum was presented a commemorative propellor inscribed with all the aircraft types on which Flight Engineers had served. This was later signed by all the Flight Engineers present that evening.
Commemorative project fund
Do you have a commemorative project or reunion coming up and would like some financial assistance? We have a Commemorative Fund set up to contribute to initiatives like this reunion.
This fund can contribute up to $5,000 for a commemorative project or reunion that supports a New Zealand-based project that recognises veterans' sacrifice.