RNZAF Boeing 757-22QC NZ7571 to NZ7572

RNZAF Boeing 757-22QC
NZ7571 to NZ7572

With the increasing age and operating restrictions of the Boeing 727 fleet, the search for a replacement strategic transport eventually centered on the Boeing 757 size aircraft. Once two suitable aircraft were identified as 757-220 versions and acquired, the aircraft began a process to be converted to 757-22QC standard and were initially classified as 757-2K in RNZAF service. Further conversion work to upgrade engines, flight deck avionics (including an electronic flight bag), cargo door in forward port fuselage, along with a strengthened freight floor and an ability to be configured for aero-medical role resulted in the designation amended to 757-2K2.

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Serial	c/n	Delivered	Aircraft history
NZ7571	26633	07/05/2003	Previously PH-TKA with Transavia Airlines. Rolled out 16 December 1992. First flight 22 January 1993. Delivered to Transavia Airlines 22 February 1993. Last service for Transavia Palma-Amsterdam as TRA6126 on 16 March 2003. Ferried Amsterdam-Bristol for repaint 17 March 2003. Ferried Bristol-Shannon for maintenance in RNZAF colours ON 24 March 2003. Sold to GECAS then onsold to RNZAF April 2003 for use with 40 Squadron. Arrived at Wellington on 07 May 2003 and positioned to Whenuapai later that day arriving at 1515. Fully operational by June 2003, with 40 Squadron Returned to Mobile, Alabama, for major interior rework, addition of a cargo door and revamped flight deck, returning to NZ Aug 2008. Became Royal One April 2014 for NZ tour by Prince William, Catherine and George.
NZ7572	26634	xx/xx/2003	Previously PH-TKB with Transavia Airlines. Rolled out 27 March 1993. First flight 15 April 1993. Delivered to Transavia Airlines 03 May 1993. Last service for Transavia Rhodos-Amsterdam as TRA2324 on 18 May 2003. Ferried Amsterdam-Bristol on 19 May 2003 as TRA051 for repainting. Ferried Bristol-Shannon as TRA053 on 25 May for maintenance. Sold to GECAS June 2003 for onsale to RNZAF. Arrived at Whenuapai on 30 June 2003 for service with No.40 Squadron after being delayed in the USA for a week during it's delivery flight because of a fuel leak. Entered operational service on 11 July 2003. Returned to Mobile, Alabama, for major interior rework, addition of a cargo door and revamped flight deck, returning to NZ February 2009.

Author: Ivan Prince (Updated by Brendan Cowan), now managed by Les Billcliff

Sources: Boeing 757 Website. NZ Herald 14/15 April and 26 June 2003. AHSNZ Aerolog 2003 - 2009, MRC Aviation blog.

Emails: Henry Almonte, Mike Condon, Peter Van Dyk, Martin Edwards, Brendan Cowan,

Converted to CMS 16th September 2025

Updated 12 July 2026