One of the world’s largest planes has landed at RNZAF Base Ohakea, delighting plane-spotting enthusiasts.
An Antonov AN-124 touched down at the air base just before 12.40pm, after flying nearly five hours from American Samoa.
The Air Force described the plane as a “colossal” in a post this afternoon.
Landing at Ohakea, near Palmerston North, the plane was delivering components for a new P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft training facility.
The facility is part of the existing $2.3 billion project that delivered four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in 2023, along with mission systems, ground support equipment and spare parts.
At least 2000 people were tracking the plane online as it flew westwards over the central North Island, according to real-time radar website FlightRadar24.
The plane was the most popular plane being tracked worldwide on the website.
It comes after the mega plane was also spotted in Auckland earlier this month.
The Defence Force issued an alert yesterday anticipating large crowds of people keen to watch its arrival, asking the public to consider safety and avoid blocking SH1.
“In conjunction with police, we ask the members of the public wishing to view the arrival to consider their safety and the safety of other road users,” it said in a post.
“We recommend staying off State Highway 1 and using a side road such as Fagan Road.”
Defence Ministry capability delivery deputy secretary Sarah Minson said the Poseidon training facility would be a “critical tool” for the Air Force.
The facility will include a life-sized flight simulator housed inside No. 5 Squadron’s Te Whare Toroa building.
“Simulation training tools provide a safe and secure space for crew to learn and maintain skills on aircraft systems, reducing risk as well as the number of hours required for flight training. They also increase the availability of aircraft for NZDF operations,” she said.
“The full-motion P-8A Poseidon flight simulator is designed to look and move like a real cockpit, and will allow crew to train for a range of scenarios in a realistic environment, from emergency situations to poor weather conditions.”
The new P-8A training facility at Ohakea is expected to be ready for use next year.
The Antonov AN-124 is a massive strategic airlift jet with 24 wheels, capable of carrying 400 tonnes of cargo. Designed in the 1970s in Ukraine, it features distinctive high-mounted wings and remains the largest military transport aircraft in service.
