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Kiwi Skyhawk Operations 1998-2007 By 1998 the RNZAF had been operating Skyhawks for nearly 30 years. The aircraft despite being well looked after were beginning to show their age. While upgrades and/or replacement was being considered 75 Sqn at Ohakea and 2 Sqn at Nowra kept one doing the business. No one thought that within 5 years the RNZAF would lose it's offensive punch and the history of 3 proud squadrons would be laid to rest. This page covers the end of the Skyhawk in RNZAF service along with some images of the aircraft in the 7 years they have been awaiting sale. A sale the NZ government says is "imminent" 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 Ohakea open day March 1998 (Sam Hall) |
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1. 2 Sqn's unofficial mascot, Candy (unknown). 2. A-4K and RAAF F/A-18A (ADF Official) 3. Only RNZAF AIM-9L firing ((RNZAF Official) 4. A-4K at Christchurch (Don Simms) |
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75 Sqn in Australia 1998 (Don Simms) |
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75 Sqn Ground crew and Pilots 1998 (RNZAF Official) |
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1. 75 Sqn Hangar 1999 (Glen Turner) 2. Tagged A-4 (unknown) 3. 75 Sqn Armourers (RNZAF Official) 4. Maverick testing AMS (RNZAF Official) |
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1. Sunset Ohakea (RNZAF Official) 2. Air to Air refuelling (RNZAF Official) 3. The Falcon was a popular car at 2 Sqn. (unknown) 4. NZ6216 (unknown) |
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75 Sqn and 2 Sqn combined at HMAS Albatross for a RAN fleet concentration period in 1999. This saw the largest A-4 formation flown by the RNZAF since 1987 and the largest A-4 formation (15 aircraft) ever flown at Nowra. (Don Simms) |
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In 1999 75 Sqn deployed to RMAF Base Kuantan on Exercise
Vanguard. The outward route was the usual way, via Australia and Indonesia. However the East Timor crisis blew up whilst they were away meaning a longer than normal stay in Malaysia. As NZ was a major player in the Interfet operation to stop the violence in Timor, tensions with Indonesia meant the return route was a roundabout one through the Pacific stopping at Guam and Papua New Guinea. Transport was also via the RMAF as RNZAF transport assets were heavily tasked for the Timor operations. (Don Simms, Glen Turner and RNZAF Official) |
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What could have been. In 1999 New Zealand to lease 28 Block 15 F-16A's. These aircraft with virtually no airframes hours expended had been originally destined for the Pakistani Air Force but were embargoed because of Pakistan's nuclear testing. The Skyhawks were to have been sold to the Philippines. Unfortunately the incoming Labour ordered a review of the project, that review recommended buying outright a smaller number of the aircraft. Despite these findings the Government cancelled the project. The fate of the RNZAF's Air Combat force was effectively sealed with this decision. (RNZAF Official via F-16.net) | |
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1. Corroded 414 frame (this frame is at the rear of the aircraft)
2. New 414 Frame installed by AMS at Ohakea 3. Bird strike, NZ6254. 4. A-4 on Jacks (1-3 RNZAF Official. 4 unknown) |
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1-3. Skyhawks transiting the GAFA back to Nowra (RNZAF Official) 4. What happens if you jettison a 400 gal tank (unknown) |
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1-2. 2 Sqn in Darwin (RNZAF-Official) 3. 2 Sqn 2000 (RNZAF-Official) 4. NZ6251 under new Nowra carports Oct 2000 (CG) |
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2 Sqn Skyhawks in Darwin Late 2000 (Jorgo ( IIRC Ian Jorgensen?)) |
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2 Sqn A-4K's in Darwin Late 2000 (Lenn Bayliss) |
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This site is owned by Calum Gibson |
