It flew a total of 27,000 hours and performed extraordinary service for the RNZAF and for New Zealand.
“Maritime patrols, protecting our exclusive economic zone, found sailors lost at sea, went up on international deployments – pretty much been everywhere around the world,” Marshall explained.
Those deployments include Christchurch, following the earthquakes.
“So many people had been affected by it and owe their lives for it,” Ritchie added.
The warfare aircraft is being preserved at the Air Force Museum.
Too big for the World War II-era hangar, the tail will remain detached until funds are raised to build a bigger home.
It’s enough to also house a newly retired C-130H Hercules next year.
Until then, the public has just four days to view the big grey beast.
“It’s a little bit like an old sports car it’s got heaps of power and heaps of grunt,” Marshall said.