After 37 years and more than 22,000 flying hours, NZ4206 departed Base Auckland for the last time yesterday.NZ4206 was often the ‘go to’ aircraft used for Southern Ocean patrols and recently conducted her final operational deployment patrolling in South East Asia contributing to the UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea. NZ4206 will retire now after her last flight to Base Woodbourne.
This aircraft is the second of the fleet of six to retire before we welcome the new P-8A Poseidon fleet.
My cousin was Navigator on the final flight and pictures on Facebook show the aircraft being given a send off with the fire trucks using their hoses to make a triumphant arch for the P3 to taxi through.