NZDF-Serials Kaman Seasprite

NZDF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RNZN Kaman SH-2F Seasprite and SH-2G & SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite
NZ3441 to NZ3444, NZ3601 to NZ3605, 0231G to 0236G and NZ3611 to NZ3620

Kaman Seasprite Image Gallery

The Kaman Seasprite initially selected in the mid 1990's as an interim replacement for the long serving Westland Wasps in service with the RNZN.

New Zealand's first batch of Seasprites comprised 3 operational SH-2F Seasprite airframes and 1 source of spares to allow the retirement of the Westland Wasps in service with the RNZN, under the auspices of 3 Squadron , RNZAF.

The first arrived in Aug 1997 at Hobsonville and the other 3 followed that Dec as an interim step prior to delivery of the SH-2G Super Seasprite. Use of the SH-2F's began from Feb 1998 and the type was retired in 2001 as SH-2Gs began arriving. Some of these airframes were returned to Kaman to support the SH-2G programme.

A follow on order for 5 SH-2G Super Seasprites as a permanent replacement for the martime Wasp was made after type selection in March 1997.

These helicopters were delivered between June 2001 and March 2003, initially for use from the ANZAC Class frigates HMNZS Te Kaha (F77) and HMNZS Te Mana (F111) and their shore base. Seasprite helicopters are also able to operate from the Offshore patrol vessels HMNZS Otago (P148) and HMNZS Wellington (P55), as well as the Logistics Support vessel, HMNZS Canterbury (L421).

In 2009, an additional 6 Seasprites were acquired for use as training aids at RNZAF Ground Training Wing (GTW) Woodbourne.

In 2013, the New Zealand Government announced that it would replace SH-2G's NZ3601 to NZ3605 with ten of the eleven ex RAN modified to SH-2G(I) standard as serviceability had fallen to the point only 2 airframes were available at most time for flying duties. Eight of these airframes are intended to be as flyers operated by 6 Squadron with the remaining 2 to be used as attrition spares.

First Batch - Interim SH-2F NZ3441 to NZ3444

Seasprite NZ3442

Serial	Aircraft.Type	c/n	USN.BU	AMARC	Delivered	Airframe History
NZ3441	SH-2F	191	161641	?	06/06/2001	Entered service with US Navy 12 July 1983. Arrived at Auckland by sea 14 November 1997 and transported to Hobsonville by road the following day for assembly. Previously used by Kaman as a test aircraft for the "magic lantern" mine detection system. On arrival had 1213 hours on the airframe. First flight in New Zealand at Hobsonville 24 February 1998. Retired from service in 2001 and returned to Kaman for use as spares to support the SH-2G contract.
NZ3442	SH-2F	236	162585	8H0073	14/11/1997	Entered service with US Navy 27 September 1987. This aircraft was widely seen on television engaged in the rescue of the crew (including a pregnant woman) from a burning tanker in the Persian Gulf in 1990. Last flown by USN March 2004 5921 Airframe hours, Arrived at Auckland by sea 05 December 1997 after some years desert storage as 8H0073. Last flew in March 1994 with total airframe hours of 5921 on arrival. First flight in New Zealand at Hobsonville 04 June 1998. Retired from service in 2001 and now on display at RNZAF Museum, Wigram.
NZ3443	UH-2B SH-2F	121	150171	8H0062	05/12/1997	1969 UH-2B type asg HC-2 Det.38 as HU.25 29 June 1969 seen as HC-2 /HU.25 at Nice airport, France when USS Shangri La (CVS-38) was moored west of Nice, out of Cannes, Re-entered service with US Navy 31 April 1974. 02 April 1976 pictured on USS Paul F. Foster (DD-964) with HSL-33, 1993 SH-2F HSL-94 as NW-27, Arrived at Auckland by sea 05 December 1997 after some years desert storage as 8H0062. Last flew in January 1994 with total airframe hours of 10488 on arrival. First flight in New Zealand at Hobsonville 09 September 1998. Retired from service in 2001 and returned to Kaman for use as spares to support the SH-2G contract.
NZ3444	UH-2C SH-2F	104	150154	8H0045	05/12/1997	USN; 1968/9 UH-2C type, 15/08/1968 to 01/09/1968 To HC-7, Re-entered service with US Navy 21 June 1974, Pictured with HC-1 Det19 Pacific Fleet Angels on USS Hancock (CVA-19), Conv SH-2F, US Navy 22 June 1990 type:SH-2F HSL-36/HY-337. On board USS Stark, Last flew in August 1993 with total airframe hours of 11305 on arrival. Transferred to NZ Arrived at Auckland by sea 05 December 1997 after some years desert storage as 8H0045, Did not fly in New Zealand but cannibalised for spares. Airframe originally destined for display in RNZAF Museum, but now a fire training hulk at Whenuapai.

Second Batch - Full capability SH-2G Super Seasprite NZ3601 to NZ3605

Seasprite NZ3443
Photo by Ivan Prince

Serial	Aircraft.Type	c/n	Delivered	Airframe History
NZ3601	K-894 SH-2G	NZ01	06/2001	New built Airframe, First flight 06 August 2000 with Kaman test registration N352KA. Delivered to Auckland by sea on MV Toranga arriving on 06 June 2001. First flight 06 June 2001 from the port to Auckland Airport for work to be done at the Air New Zealand Engineering Base. Accepted by NZ Defence Force at a ceremony at Whenuapai on 18 August 2001 and handed over to No.3 Squadron-Naval Support Flight. Became part of No. 6 Sqn on its formation 31 October 2005. Retired from service, with last flight on 21 Apr 2016, accompanied by NZ3602. Sold to Peru Navy, via Kaman and ?. In storage Whenuapai (30 June 2016), awaiting shipping
NZ3602	K-894 SH-2G	NZ02	01/2003	ex NZ3452?, Kaman test registration N353KA. Handed over to No.3 Squadron-Naval Support Flight December 2002. Became part of No. 6 Sqn on its formation 31 October 2005. Retired from service, with last flight on 21 Apr 2016, accompanied by NZ3601. Sold to Peru Navy, via Kaman and ?. In storage Whenuapai (30 June 2016), awaiting shipping
NZ3603	K-894 SH-2G	NZ03	12/2001	ex NZ3453?, Kaman test registration N354KA. Handed over to No.3 Squadron-Naval Support Flight 20 November 2002. Became part of No. 6 Sqn on its formation 31 October 2005. Retired from service Sold to Peru Navy, via Kaman and ?.
NZ3604	K-894 SH-2G	NZ04	08/2001	ex NZ3454?, Kaman test registration N355KA. Delivered to Auckland by sea on MV Toranga arriving on 06 June 2001. First flight 06 June 2001 from the port to Auckland Airport for work to be done at the Air New Zealand Engineering Base. Accepted by NZ Defence Force at a ceremony at Whenuapai on 18 August 2001 and handed over to No.3 Squadron-Naval Support Flight. Suffered heavy landing on board HMNZS Te Mana (F111) in Cook Strait on 20 February 2002. Returned to Kaman in the United States for repair in July 2002. Damage included structural members in the fuselage being badly twisted. Cost estimated to be in region of NZ$7.4 million. Returned to New Zealand by September 2003. Became part of No. 6 Sqn on its formation 31 October 2005. Retired from service Sold to Peru Navy, via Kaman and ?.
NZ3605	K-894 SH-2G	NZ05	01/2003	ex NZ3455?, Kaman test registration N165KA. Delivered to Auckland and in service with No.3 Squadron-Naval Support Flight by mid 2003. Damaged by ground resonance vibration during engine run on HMNZS Te Mana (F111) on 22 May 2004 during Operation Stakenet in the Persian Gulf and flown back to New Zealand for repair in Antonov 124 UR-82027 arriving at Auckland on 06 July. Became part of No. 6 Sqn on its formation 31 October 2005. Retired from service Sold to Peru Navy, via Kaman and ?.

Third Batch - SH-2F Instructional Airframes 0231G to 0236G

Serial	Aircraft.Type	c/n	USN.BU	AMARC	Delivered	Airframe History
0231G	SH-2B UH-2B SH-2F	96	150146	8H0032	2009	Delivered to USN as UH-2B 150146 unk; Redesignated UH-2B in 1962; Transferred to HC-5, TD-7, 1968; Redesignated SH-2F unk; Transferred to HSL-30, HT-032, WFU & Transferred to AMARC as 8H0032, 28May93. In service as Intructional Airframe with the RNZAF Ground Training Wing (GTW) Woodbourne
0232G	HU2K-1U UH-2B UH-2C SH-2D SH-2F	102	150152	8H0061	2009	Delivered to USN asHU2K-1U 150152 unk; Redesignated UH-2B in 1962; xfer MCAS SO&ES Cherry Point, 23Oct64; xfer USN unit 9Dec65; Converted to UH-2C, To HC-7, Converted SH-2D unk; Converted SH-2F unk; WFU & Transferred to AMARC as 8H0061, 19Jan94. In service as Intructional Airframe with the RNZAF Ground Training Wing (GTW) Woodbourne
0233G	HU2K-1U UH-2B SH-2F	123	150173	8H0024	2009	Delivered to USN as HU2K-1U 150173 unk; Redesignated UH-2B in 1962; conv SH-2F unk; WFU & Transferred to AMARC as 8H0024 12Mar93, In service as Intructional Airframe with the RNZAF Ground Training Wing (GTW) Woodbourne
0234G	HU2K-1U UH-2B SH-2F	160	151323	?	2009	Delivered to USN as HU2K-1U 151323 unk; Redesignated UH-2B in 1962; WFU & Transferred to AMARC, In service as Intructional Airframe with the RNZAF Ground Training Wing (GTW) Woodbourne.
0235G	HU2K-1U UH-2B HH-2C SH-2F	170	151333	?	2009	Delivered to USN as HU2K-1U 151333, Redesignated UH-2B in 1962, To HC-7, Crashed 23/01/1968, Rebuilt as HH-2C, Converted to SH-2F WFU & Transferred to AMARC, In service as Intructional Airframe with the RNZAF Ground Training Wing (GTW) Woodbourne
0236G	HU2K-1U UH-2B SH-2F	183	152199	?	2009	Delivered to USN as HU2K-1U 158199, Redesignated UH-2B in 1962, WFU & Transferred to AMARC, In service as Intructional Airframe with the RNZAF Ground Training Wing (GTW) Woodbourne

Fourth Batch - SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite (ex RAN) NZ3611 to NZ3620

Serial	RAN.Serial/. Code	Const No.	USN.Bu	AMARC	US FAA Registration	Airframe history
NZ3611	N29-163210 /850	246	163210	?	N351KA, N167KM	Served with USN. Built as a SH-2F. Stored at AMARC. Registered N351KA to Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT, To Kaman at Bloomfield, CT for rebuild as SH-2G(A). RAN Seasprite Project cancelled March 2008 and aircraft returned to Kaman. To SH-2G(I) for New Zealand RNZAF/RNZN, 27/03/2014 Registered N167M to Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT, 09/04/2014 Airworthy, 10/04/2014 First flight as SH-2G(I) at Bloomfield. Delivered to New Zealand Jan 2015. Officially handed over 6 Mar 2015 at Whenuapai. In service with 6 Sqdn.
NZ3612	N29-150156 /842	106	150156	8H0067	N319AK N201KM	Served with USN. Built as UH-2B, rebuilt as UH-2C in 1968, then as SH-2F 1973. Stored at AMARC 07/02/94. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CT 17/04/98 for rebuild as SH-2G(A). Test flown as N319AK. Arrived by ship Entered Service with 805 Sqn on 27 January 2004. RAN Seasprite Project cancelled March 2008 and aircraft returned to Kaman. To SH-2G(I) for New Zealand RNZAF/RNZN, 27/03/2014 Registered N201KM to Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT, 23/04/2014 Airworthy, Delivered to New Zealand Jan 2015. Officially handed over 6 Mar 2015 at Whenuapai. In service with 6 Sqdn
NZ3613	N29-161913 /847	224	161913	8H0050	N351KA N244KM	Served with USN from 06/02/86 to 23/09/93. Built as a SH-2F Stored at AMARC 23/09/93. Prior to rebuild for use with RAN had 5622 hrs on airframe as SH-2F. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CT 17/09/98 for rebuild as SH-2G(A). Test flown as N351KA. RAN Seasprite Project cancelled March 2008 and aircraft returned to Kaman. To SH-2G(I) for New Zealand RNZAF/RNZN, 27/03/2014 Registered N244KM to Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT, 13/05/2014 Airworthy. Delivered to New Zealand Jan 2015. Officially handed over 6 Mar 2015 at Whenuapai. In service with 6 Sqdn.
NZ3614	N29-161656 /840	206	161656	8H0066	N356KA N314KM	Served with USN from 19/02/85 to 07/02/94. Built as a SH-2F. Stored at AMARC 07/02/94. Arrived in Australia by Air Transport on 21/2/2001, Prior to rebuild for use with RAN had 5044 hrs on airframe as SH-2F. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CT 23/10/97 for rebuild as SH-2G(A). Test flown as N356KA. Avalon Airshow 2001 formally transferred to the RAN and seen as an RAN aircraft at the air show. Noted at Nowra with low viz knight and Chessboard markings of 805 Sqn. Entered service with 805 Sqn on 3 November 2003. 5 November 2003. First Seasprite to land on Anzac Frigate HMAS Warramunga for First of Class Flight Trails (FOCFT) Garden Island Sydney. RAN Seasprite Project cancelled March 2008 and aircraft returned to Kaman. To SH-2G(I) for New Zealand RNZAF/RNZN, 27/03/2014 Registered N314KM to Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT. Delivered to New Zealand by Jul 2015. In service with 6 Sqdn.
NZ3615	N29-152205 /846	189	152205	8H0027	N332KM	Served with USN until 01/04/93. Built as UH-2B, converted as HH-2D, then again as SH-2F Stored at AMARC 23/04/93. Arrived by ship Prior to rebuild for use with RAN had 11095 hrs on airframe as UH-2B, HH-2D & SH-2F. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CT 01/09/98 for rebuild as SH-2G(A). Entered service with 805 Sqn on 5 November 2003. RAN Seasprite Project cancelled March 2008 and aircraft returned to Kaman. To SH-2G(I) for New Zealand RNZAF/RNZN, 27/03/2014 Registered N332KM to Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT. Delivered to New Zealand by Jul 2015. Attrition airframe only - will not be used operationally
NZ3616	N29-151329 /845	166	151329	8H0033	N424KM	Served with USN until 01/05/93. Built as UH-2B, converted to SH-2F. Stored at AMARC 28/05/93. Prior to rebuild for use with RAN had 9526 hrs on airframe as UH-2B & SH-2F. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CT 15/07/98 for rebuild as SH-2G(A). RAN Seasprite Project cancelled March 2008 and aircraft returned to Kaman 20 Mar 2008. To SH-2G(I) for New Zealand RNZAF/RNZN, 27/03/2014 Registered N424KM to Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT, Delivered to New Zealand by Jul 2015 In service with 6 Sqdn. Participated in Rimpac 2016.
NZ3617	N29-161914 /848	225	161914	8H0060	N523KM	Served with USN from 14/03/86 to 14/01/94. Built as SH-2F Stored at AMARC 11/01/94. Prior to rebuild for use with RAN had 6292 hrs on airframe as SH-2F. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CT 08/10/98 for rebuild as SH-2G(A). RAN Seasprite Project cancelled March 2008 and aircraft returned to Kaman 20 Mar 2008. To SH-2G(I) for New Zealand RNZAF/RNZN, 27/03/2014 Registered N523KM to Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT, Delivered to New Zealand In service with 6 Sqdn
NZ3618	N29-150160 /843	110	150160	8H0071	N654KM	Served with USN until 02/01/94. Built as UH-2B, converted to UH-2C, further converted to SH-2F. Stored at AMARC 17/04/94. Arrived 15/9/01 by ship Prior to rebuild for use with RAN had 9718 hrs on airframe as UH-2B, UH-2C & SH-2F. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CT 14/05/98 for rebuild as SH-2G(A). RAN Seasprite Project cancelled March 2008 and aircraft returned to Kaman 20 Mar 2008. To SH-2G(I) for New Zealand RNZAF/RNZN, 27/03/2014 Registered N654KM to Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT, Delivered to New Zealand by Jul 2015. In service with 6 Sqdn
NZ3619	N29-151310 /844	147	151310	8H0035	N705KM	Served with USN until 01/06/93. Built as UH-2B, converted to UH-2C, further converted to SH-2F. Stored at AMARC 04/06/93. Arrived 17/10/01 by ship Prior to rebuild for use with RAN had 9570 hrs on airframe as UH-2B & SH-2F. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CT 14/05/98 for rebuild as SH-2G(A). Reassembled at RANAS Nowra. Entered service with 805 Sqn on 24 February 2004. RAN Seasprite Project cancelled March 2008 and aircraft returned to Kaman 20 Mar 2008. To SH-2G(I) for New Zealand RNZAF/RNZN, 27/03/2014 Registered N705KM to Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT, Delivered to New Zealand In service with 6 Sqdn
NZ3620	N29-149773 /841	75	149773	8H0029	N318KA N729KM	Served with USN until 01/04/93. Built as UH-2A, converted to UH-2C, then HH-2D, and then to SH-2F. Stored at AMARC 23/04/93. Prior to rebuild for use with RAN had 10742 hrs on airframe as UH-2A, UH-2C, HH-2D & SH-2F. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CT 10/03/98 for rebuild as SH-2G(A). RAN Seasprite Project cancelled March 2008 and aircraft returned to Kaman 20 Mar 2008. 29/01/2014 Possibly to N729KM as tenth and final SH-2G(I). Delivered to New Zealand. Attrition airframe only - will not be used operationally

11 Former RAN SH-2G(A) Super Seasprites in storage with Kaman at Bloomfield, CT.(Kaman Photo)

Original page author Ivan Prince. Updated by Brendan Cowan. Currently managed and updated by Les Billcliff

Sources: http://www.rnzaf.proboards.com , AHSNZ publications 1998-2003, Royal New Zealand Navy website, NZ Wings 1997-1998, NZ Herald 02 May 2003, Air Britain Historians, www.helis.com , Australian Aviation, AMARC Experience Website, www.defence.gov.au , www.faa.gov , www.aviationdb.net , Air Forces Monthly Issue 315 June 2014,

Emails: Mike Condon, Martin Edwards, Michael Sheppard,

Updated 26th October 2016

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