No. 40 Squadron RNZAF
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No. 40 Squadron RNZAF was formed on Douglas C-47 Dakotas in 1943 for transport in the southern pacific. It also used Lockheed Hudsons and Lockheed Lodestars during World War II. The Squadron was disbanded in 1947, with most of its crew and aircraft being transferred to the government owned National Airways Corporation.
No. 40 Squadron was reformed in 1952 with four Handley Page Hastings. The Squadron was supplemented with 3 Douglas DC-6 by 1961. The present Lockheed C-130H Hercules were purchased in 1965, and supplemented by three Boeing 727s, (including the infamous Spud One) in the early 1980s. The 727s were replaced by two Boeing 757-200s in May 2003.
Located at RNZAF Base Auckland on Whenuapai airfield, the Squadron today operates five C130H Hercules and two Boeing 757-200s. The squadron saw action throughout the pacific war against Japan, and subsequently helped supply New Zealand forces fighting in Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq as well as providing transport to United States and United Kingdom forces in the 1990 Gulf War. Recent humanitarian missions have included offering assistance to victims of the Bali bombing and Boxing Day Tsunami. Since the late 1960s the squadron has detached aircraft each summer to work in the Ross Dependency of Antarctica.
[edit] External Links
RNZAF Web site 40 Squadron page New Zealand World War II Official History - formation of 40 Squadron
