Fuel leak delays Air Force's replacement jet

A fuel leak has delayed the arrival of the second Boeing 757 bought by the Air Force to replace its old VIP transport aircraft.

The 10-year-old Boeing 757 was due in New Zealand last Sunday but was not now expected to touch down at Whenuapai air base in Auckland until shortly after 3pm this Sunday.

Air Force spokeswoman Julie Bishop said the fuel leak developed in San Diego and, while only minor, had to be repaired before the aircraft could be flown to New Zealand.

The Air Force has bought two second-hand Boeing 757 aircraft to replace its two old and unreliable Boeing 727 aircraft which were second-hand when they were bought more than 20 years ago.

The first replacement 757 was also delayed when it was hit by a snow plough at a Canadian airport in April and had to have the fuselage repaired.

The second aircraft will undertake operational evaluation before it is fully commissioned into the air force fleet.

The two Boeing 727 aircraft are likely to go on the market soon although demand is not expected to be great.

The aircraft do not meet increasingly stringent noise level requirements now imposed at many airports around the world and they also have corrosion and structural problems.

They are likely to be sold for spare parts or broken up for scrap.

Tomorrow the first new 757 and a 727 will make a nostalgic fly-past over most of New Zealand.

- NZPA