The Star: August 17, 2023

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The Star Thursday August 17 2023 20 NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Museum’s latest addition ‘a national hero’ • By David King THE AIR Force Museum in Wigram will welcome the latest addition to its collection aircraft in September – a Lockheed P-3K2 Orion NZ4203. NZ4203 is a national hero, flying more than 27,000 hours during its illustrious 54-year career. It took part in hundreds of missions including search and rescue operations and antisubmarine patrols, and spent thousands of hours protecting our Exclusive Economic Zone. Air Force Museum director Brett Marshall said it had been a long wait to get an Orion. “To say we’re excited would be an understatement. NZ4203 will be the largest aircraft in our collection and one of the most significant. Brett Marshall “We are delighted to be able to ensure its preservation for the nation,” he said. “We look forward to being able to tell the many stories associated with this extraordinary aircraft type which served us so well for so long.’’ Built by Lockheed in Burbank California in 1966, NZ4203 entered service with the RNZAF in April 1967. In 2021 it became the first of the type to retire from service when it flew a farewell mission to land at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. Marshall said the Orion fleet had given a huge amount PRESERVATION: The NZ4203 will be the largest aircraft in the Air Force Museum’s collection – so large, they’re working on plans for a new space to exhibit it. PHOTOS: RNZAF of service over 54 years and NZ4203 deserved a happy retirement at the museum where it will be preserved as the only surviving RNZAF example of the type, as it was for its last mission – minus any sensitive military equipment. “NZ4203 was the first RNZAF Orion to land in Antarctica back in 2006. It has also taken part in numerous humanitarian and search and rescue missions and has been a lifesaver for many people who have found themselves needing help a long way from home.’’ NZ4203 served with No. 5 Squadron at RNZAF Base Whenuapai and was regularly upgraded to extend its lifespan, receiving new avionics and radio systems in the 1980s and new wings in the 1990s. NZ4203 is 36m long, has a wingspan of just over 30m, and its tail stands 10.3m tall. “Our current exhibition halls are too small to accommodate it, so we’re busy working on plans for a new space to exhibit it,’’ Marshall said.
A RESEARCHER involved in a project to protect kiwi from uncontrolled dogs says their new deterrent is an improvement on older models. A group of Canterbury University students have joined forces with National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua to develop a new tool that discourages dogs from attacking and killing the national bird. Robo Kiwi, which is currently still being tested, is designed to deter uncontrolled dogs, which cause 70 percent of kiwi deaths in the wild. Rob Whitton who works in technology at government research institute Scion, which is involved in the project said Robo Kiwi’s realistic movement helped train dogs to avoid the birds. Dog owners could currently take their pets to kiwi avoidance training, he said. “The purpose of it is for it to have some exposure to something it thinks is a kiwi and then it has a correction and it starts to associate that with the kiwi, so it’ll stay away.” But currently a taxidermied kiwi which was static was used to train dogs to avoid the birds, he said. “We were looking at ways we could improve that because when a dog . . . is doing the kiwi avoidance training it needs to interact with the prop.” Some dogs did not interact with the static kiwi at all which meant they could not be trained, he said. Not only that but taxidermied kiwi were Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Students help develop robot to stop dogs attacking kiwis TRAINING: It is hoped that Robo Kiwi will teach dogs not to attack real kiwi. Rob Whitton PHOTO: NATIONAL KIWI HATCHERY difficult to get hold of and had to be shared around, he said. “So we wanted to introduce something a little bit more realistic, something a bit more modern, something with some movement to attract the attention of the dogs.” The Robo Kiwi moved and was much closer to a real kiwi than what was currently available, he said. “It can be set off by the trainer when the dog comes past, so when the dog comes to interact with it, it can be given a correction, so we’re hoping we can prove that this is a big improvement on the current training prop.” The dog would wear a collar which would give it “an uncomfortable feeling” when it got a correction from interacting with Robo Kiwi, he said. If that was the case the group would then make several more of the models to send out to volunteers and Save the Kiwi around the country, he said. Robo Kiwi could prove to be a valuable tool and provide some consistency in terms of what dog trainers were using, he said. “The main purpose is just to get a greater response from the dog, because if a dog doesn’t interact with the prop then it can’t be trained and there’s nothing else you can do after that. “So we want to keep working on it and improving its reliability and its realism and try to get as many dogs as possible interacting with it.” Whitton said he would like to use Robo Kiwi to train dogs across the country. – RNZ Thursday August 17 2023 The Star Amazing Auto AAE Electric CARS • BOATS • TRUCKS • CARAVANS • 4WDS • TRAILERS • ELECTRIC & HYBRID VEHICLES NEWS 21 USUALLY SAME DAY SERVICE • Starter Motors • Alternators • Central Locking • Electric Windows • ABS & Airbags For everything Auto Electric • Stereos/Alarms • Batteries • Tuneups • Engine Management 65 Coleridge St, Sydenham Phone 03 379 4250 www.amazingautoelectric.co.nz oN sAle Now! Now only $35.80 Plus $5 P&H per copy AvAilAble from stAr mediA: Level One, 359 Lincoln Road Addington, Christchurch Phone 379 7100 TRADE TOOLS & Selwyn’s only dedicated restorative and implant centre We strive to deliver exceptional services with incredible results and a unique patient experience by utilising our advanced technology which provides a gentle touch. Come and visit our modern, welcoming and friendly practice in Faringdon, and experience the Selwyn Dental difference. CALL IN AND SEE US TODAY! Our services include: • Full mouth rehabilitation • Smile makeovers • Crown and bridges • Veneers and composite restorations • Tooth whitening • Dental Implants • Oral surgery South Point, 55 Faringdon Boulevard, Rolleston BEFORE AFTER Creating a healthy smile through science and artistry Call us to make an appointment today P: 03 260 0322 E: reception@selwyndental.co.nz www.selwyndental.co.nz Mon to Fri 7am - 5pm 40 Hammersmith Dr, Wigram Ph 03 982 0443 www.totalsitesupplies.co.nz
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The Star: August 17, 2023

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