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Kiwi Skyhawk Operations 1984-1990 Most of these photos aren't mine. Most are credited to the owner. If these credits are incorrect please advise me. |
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RNZAF T/A-4Ks of 75 Sqn at Exercise Cope Thunder in the Philippines, 1984 (US Department of Defence ) |
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Exercise Pitch Black 1984 (US Department of Defence ) | |
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Exercise TRIAD 1984 was the last time the RNZAF Air Combat Force exercised officially with the USAF. | ||
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Later that year the NZ Government bought in the "No Nukes" policy which effectively ended ANZUS. Unfortunately still today some in the US government haven't got over a country's right to legislate the way it please. This policy still affects New Zealand today. (All photos are US DOD or RNZAF Official) |
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The Aussies arrive. In 1984 the RNZAF purchased the remains of the RAN A-4G fleet. The RAN had retired the A-4G after their carrier HMAS Melbourne was scrapped. In July 1984 the RNZAF took delivery of 8
A-4Gs and |
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With the arrival of the Ex Aussie A-4Gs the RNZAF reformed No 2 Squadron. It's formal roles were Operational Conversion and Tactical Reconnaissance (RNZAF Official) |
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The first photo shows a rather impressive Zap on a 75 Sqn A-4K by 75 Sqn RAAF (RNZAF Official) |
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The A-4s bought a colour change to RNZAF A-4 operations. (Photos RNZAF Official and Glen Turner) |
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On an exercise in Townsville in 1985 NZ6218 aquaplaned on landing and flipped over. At the time it did not have a drag chute system (as did the original RNZAF A-4Ks). The drag chute system may have allowed the pilot to stop the aquaplaning. NZ 6218 was eventually repaired remained in service until disbandment. (RNZAF Official) |
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In 1985 the Skyhawk fleet received a new Euro 1 style paint scheme. NZ6202 was the first aircraft painted. (RNZAF Official and Sam Hall) | |
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Some air to air shots of the various paint schemes (RNZAF Official) |
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Exercise Vanguard 1985 (RNZAF Official) |
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A collection of RNZAF Official Shots from 1986, including the Concorde's first visit to NZ and a shot of 5 models (2 A-4Ks and 3 A-4Gs) in flight, 4 with different schemes. |
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NZ6255 in the attractive ex RAN 2 tone grey scheme (Glen Turner) | |
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NZ6256 in the not so attractive ex RAN grey scheme (Glen Turner) | |
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2 Sqn Hangar 1986 (Glen Turner) |
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NZ6215 was stripped ready to go for major servicing and some wag painted a "bucket" on the side of the intake. (Glen Turner) |
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(Glen Turner) |
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(Glen Turner) |
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75 Sqn line and some frag damage from a 20mm round that exploded a bit early (Glen Turner) |
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The first photo shows a modified 75 Sqn logo on the intake of NZ6216, A case of inter Squadron rivalry - 75 Sqn was unofficially known as the "Gumboot Squadron" by 2 Sqn in the late 80s, and often they would borrow a 2 Sqn aircraft, so the 2 Sqn ground crew would "doctor" the 75 Sqn logo when it returned before replacing it with the 2 Sqn logo. Glen Turner) |
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Vanguard 1986 (RNZAF Official) |
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-with-model-and%20model-maker.jpg) |
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(Glen Turner/RNZAF Official) | |
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Some international visitors for the RNZAF's 50th Anniversary. (RNZAF Official) |
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AIM-9G Live firing (Glen Turner/RNZAF Official) |
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The A-4 with the US roundel starred in a Disney Movie called "The Rescue". The movie made use of RNZAF Whenuapai, Ohakea and other RNZAF Aircraft like the C-130H and UH-1H (RNZAF Official) |
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A-4s and RAAF F/A-18 Hornets over Ohakea, and Kiwi legend Billy T James (RNZAF Official/Don Simms) | |
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Kiwi Red 1987 (Don Simms and RNZAF Official) |
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NZ 6256 Painted in the RNZAF 50th Anniversary Scheme (Glen Turner, Des Sullivan and RNZAF Official) |
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April 1987 was the RNZAF's 50th Anniversary. these pictures are from various events, including the RNZAF's largest ever Skyhawk formation - 18 aircraft. (RNZAF Official/Glen Turner) | |
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RNZAF Pre Kahu A-4s in 1988 (RNZAF Official) |
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What happened when you try to take off without disengaging the park brake. (RNZAF Official) | ||
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75 Sqn deployed to HMAS Albatross in 1988. They were based here to to perform at the Australian Bicentennial Airshow at RAAF Richmond. Who would have though that 2 years later RNZAF A-4s would be back for a 10 year stay. Australian Bicentennial Airshow. (Photos RNZAF Official) | |
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Kiwi Red 1988 performed at the Australian Bicentennial Airshow. Some of these photos show the team practicing over Ohakea (RNZAF Official) and Don Simms)) | |
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Project Kahu was well underway in 1988. this was a extremely
successful project that updated the A-4s Avionics to a modern standard,
including fitment of the F-16 Radar. This upgrade allowed the A-4 to deliver
precision guided weapons such as the AGM-65B/G Maverick, GBU-16 LGB. it also
introduced the AIM-9L which greatly enhanced the Skyhawks Air to Air
capability. These photos show the new cockpit and some of the people involved. (Mostly RNZAF Official) |
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Exercise Vanguard 1988, Kuatan Malaysia (RNZAF Official and RN Official) |
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Some shots from Ohakea 50th Anniversary Airshow and flares demos (Don Sims and RNZAF Official) |
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Firepower demos and AIM-9G firings (RNZAF Official and Don Simms) |
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In 1989 NZ6254 and NZ6205 tested the RNZAF's newly acquired AGM-65B Maverick in Waiouru Both Missiles scored direct hits on the targets (RNZAF Official and Don Simms) | |
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NZ6255 landed short of the runway resulting in the left Main leg braking off. The pilot made a successful landing on the drop tank. NZ6255 was repaired and returned to service. (photos RNZAF official and Glen Turner) |
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Prior to the short landing NZ6255 fell down hole in 2 Sqn's Hangar.(RNZAF Official) | |||
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NZ6254 fitted with cardboard canards to fool a visiting RAAF Hornet Sqn (RNZAF Official and Don Simms) | |
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Kiwi Red 1989 (Don Simms) |
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Tragically FO Graham Carter (Crater) was killed on the 24 October 1989 when his aircraft (Red 4) impacted with Red5 (FLT LT H Keightly?) whilst practicing the Roll Under break manoeuvre over RNZAF Ohakea. FLT LT Keightly did incredibly well to land his damaged machine as can be seen in the photos below. (RNZAF Official, Glen Turner) | |||
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Kiwi Red 1990 (RNZAF Official) | |
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2 Sqn deployed to RAAF Tindal for Hot weather trials of the new Kahu Aircraft. (Don Simms) |
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