Kiwi Skyhawks

[2/1kiwi]

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/7482/6205bank7sc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/4037/a45kj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/4525/a4mar3qh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/3715/a4model8ia.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/935/b7147063jy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/4162/fig258ho.png (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/4519/nz625214vn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/1862/sky17va.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/6212/sky23in.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/6654/skywarload3zo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/9977/skyhawk2zb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/2810/skyhawk2aa9bj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/1230/skyhawks6tj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/2950/ta4k5qa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/227/f18anda49jj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/5961/a4rocket1lx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[faithless]

While were on the subject do you happen to know what currently makes up there airforce and if the skyhawk still in use.

[taiaha]

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing! Any cockpit pics bro?

[taiaha]

While were on the subject do you happen to know what currently makes up there airforce and if the skyhawk still in use.

The Skyhawks are no longer in service with the RNZAF.

[kutter]

What sucks is that the RNZAF has no strike capabilities of any sort (even the Aermacchi MB339s were axed) so their essentially a transport fleet now.

[DarkCypher]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/2_a4_punching_out_flares.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/aim9fire.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/Flypast.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/pair_a4weaps.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/RNZAFOfficial_B-52andA-4K81.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/RNZAF_Official_K81B-52droppingamine.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/RNZAFofficial_NZ6254_weapons.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/rnzaf_4_colour_t_bird_2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/RNZAF_A4s_over_Singapore_Sept01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/RNZAF_official_NZ6254_maverick_shot.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/RNZAF_skyhawks_Sept01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/628522d1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/2628fccb.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/whiteis.jpg



Outstanding! Thanks for sharing! Any cockpit pics bro?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/01OHKC04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/01OHKC10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/A4OHK7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/A4OHK8.jpg

[sir-chimp]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/DarkCypher/RNZAF_Official_K81B-52droppingamine.jpg

what is the story behind this photo?

[DarkCypher]

All I know is what the filename says.


B-52 dropping a mine escorted by an A4.

I think the U.S had some B-52's deployed in Australia in the 80's

[el_kab0ng]

The A-4's sure look weird without the dorsal hump.

[uTu]

Great pics mate, especially the one of the 2 low over the waves
I'd cry for our loss if I wasn't such a tough guy

[taiaha]

Thanks Dark Cypher! Hmm, found this site:

http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/skyhawk.html

[sir-chimp]

Didnt I just read a article some where that said NZ gave up its last fighters jets all together?

[larryzou]

nice pic thinks man .

[2/1kiwi]

I think they are still sitting in storage somewhere waiting to be sold

[DarkCypher]

They've already been sold.


The Government today announced it had sold the air force's strike wing to a private United States company for $155 million.

Defence Minister Mark Burton said the sale of 17 Skyhawks and 17 Aermacchi aircraft to Tactical Air Services was an "excellent outcome".
The aircraft will be used in the US for training purposes under a US government contract.
The sale was conditional on the US State Department permitting the importation of the aircraft into the United States, he said.
The Aermacchi's were fully operational but the Skyhawks would be regenerated by Blenheim company Safe Air before being sent to the US.
Money received for the fleet would go towards the cost of regenerating and shipping the aircraft with the remaining $NZ120 million allocated for developing a "modern, relevant Defence Force", Mr Burton said.
The sale was not an attempt to ensure a strike force could not be revived, he said.
"I don't think that has been a likely prospect for some time. I don't think either major party had any intention of that."http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3408190a10,00.html

[2/1kiwi]

Here are some more
http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/3387/a4macchi8le.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/7075/b7147028ob.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/8371/b7147076vh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/7694/b7147105cc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/6538/skyhawk15bo.png (http://imageshack.us)

[op centre]

I remember seeing kiwi skyhawks here in australia. New zealand was going to replace them with 12 new F-16's but decided that the country could no longer aford fighters.

But i think that the event of 9/11 proves that it is time for them to bite the bullet and get the RNZAF some fighters to protect the countrys airspace becouse if the kiwis got into a war let,s say with indonesia the RAAF would be flatout protecting australia and NZ would be left open to airstikes.

[Count Lippe]

Thanks for the pictures! The A4 is my favourite Plane!woot

[catalyst]

op centre - what could reach NZ if it was Indonesia attacking? the F/A-18s cant get to Jakarta (AFAIK) letalone a Indo fighter getting past the aussies and then getting to NZ and flying home!

[op centre]

The indonesia's now have the su27 which can out fly and fight the FA/18 and puts darwin within attacking range. This is why we are getting the joint strike fighter starting in 2012.

With the ability of the su27 refuelling while in flight it could in theory it make it to NZ. Plus what is to stop a pilot now carrying out an attack on NZ like those of 9/11. Nothing.

[joka]

Plus what is to stop a pilot now carrying out an attack on NZ like those of 9/11. Nothing.

Ground based air-defence?

[catalyst]

The indonesia's now have the su27 which can out fly and fight the FA/18 and puts darwin within attacking range. This is why we are getting the joint strike fighter starting in 2012.

With the ability of the su27 refuelling while in flight it could in theory it make it to NZ. Plus what is to stop a pilot now carrying out an attack on NZ like those of 9/11. Nothing.

Yes they can outfly and outfight our F/A-18s, but can they match that with a overall air defense network that Australia is developing/has? Can they refuel the SU-27s in mid-air?

As for the Plus what is to stop a pilot now carrying out an attack on NZ like those of 9/11. Nothing. How is a F-16 sitting on the tarmac ever going to stop this from happening? the USAF had every aircraft a AF could ever really need....and they couldnt stop it!

[toad]

always liked the a4. Economical and utilitarian as it was... but the sidewinders seem a bit wishfull IMO.

They had a great history though... and saw wide service in many AF's.

Good pics.

[ranger75bn]

nice nice nice nice
http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/7694/b7147105cc.jpg

nice nice nice.....

tnx a lot

[gaz]

While were on the subject do you happen to know what currently makes up there airforce and if the skyhawk still in use.

A couple of 757s, five C-130s, five King-Air B-200s and half a dozen P-3s.

[op centre]

9/11 just happen out of the blue but as you see now the US has no go zones that protect all their city and if a plane enter the zone fighters have time to get into the air and intercept before it is to late.

Ground air defences take time and effort to set up and by the time that they are online it could be to late. This happened to the british in san carlos bay in the falkland war in 1982. Or you could just hav GAD around all major NZ city 24/7 365 days a year which would cost millions of tax dollars.

Were a fighter can be deployed and in the air in minutes as long as it is kept armed and fuelled. And can go anywere and with a pilot in direct contact with the threat telling commander on the ground things that only the human eye and feel for the situation can translate. And cost a lot less money.

The perfect example is that the military still relise on unit's like the SAS and Delta force to relay info to commander on the ground when they could use statellite to do the same job.

Fighter jets i think are the best and most reliable and cost affective answer.

[ChrisJi]

Well NZ had the problem earlier this year when someone threatened to fly their cesna into the auckland sky needle. And lo and behold, nz doesnt have any fighter aircraft so couldn't intercept. Ended out ok, but it is truly pathetic that NZ no longer has any fighters, you can't tell me they can't afford a squadron of fa-18's or F16's.

[op centre]

It would cost about 500 million for 12 new fighters spare parts and fuel for NZ. But i think that the protection of its airspace and is citizens is worth the price.

[ChrisJi]

hell NZ could probably get some "reasonable" stored ex usa fighters from the airforce "graveyards they have in the midwest. wouldn't even have to get new ones.

[DarkCypher]

Not under a liberal government it won't happen, in fact I can't even see it happening under a National government.

[2/1kiwi]

They were going to get some F-16's a couple of years ago but it was scrapped in favor of something else. Think it was for the NZLAV or a frigate or something

[S.H.P.D]

Nice pictures!

[catalyst]

and u really think the NZ govt would keep at least a single f-16 airborne at all times to make the city safe from terror....when it could say.....install phalanx on the top of buildings if it was such a serious issue....but it aint....honestly....why wopuld you hit NZ when you could go for something better and someone more 'infedlian' like Australia, Singapore etc...

[ChrisJi]

and u really think the NZ govt would keep at least a single f-16 airborne at all times to make the city safe from terror....when it could say.....install phalanx on the top of buildings if it was such a serious issue....but it aint....honestly....why wopuld you hit NZ when you could go for something better and someone more 'infedlian' like Australia, Singapore etc...

For crying out loud, even america didnt have anything airborne on september 11. At least in the area, its called being ready. If you have a squadron somewhere on ready alert, or say even 1 or 2 aircraft you could launch in minutes. Big Deal. That isn't hard. It's just pitiful that NZ can't defend its own skies.

[Michael RVR]

The NZ govt seem to think that the money could be better spent elsewhere, apparently. I don't know where the logic that they should buy F-16's worth $500 million when they just sold planes worth only $150m.

Personally i think they should have kept what they had, if nothing else it will maintain the skillset in the RNZAF.

A shame to be true, but they don't really have a threat to deal with (apart from the occasional nutbag with a cessna.) ;)

[Michael RVR]

edit : double post.

[StuntMonkey]

For those who said NZ wanted the Sky Hawks gone it's a load of crap. There was poll in the paper, actually about 3 different polls because I got called up for 2 of them, asking if the public thought we should have at least some form of strike capibility. I can't find the official results but it was something like 87% of the country thought we should keep them.

But nooooo Helen "I'm an ugly hoe" Clarke decided to scrap them and concentrate on a superior land based force. Ok so our SAS will run rings around most special forces but who gives a ****? I'd like to know there is something in the air stopping retards crashing highjacked planes.

Personally I give my condolences to all the pilots that were trained.

[ChrisJi]

I have heard some NZ pilots have gone to the RAAF

[Michael RVR]

Yep, i'd be extremely surprised if they weren't able to find employment :)

[StuntMonkey]

Yup, several are flying for the British now as well.

[Midav]

A shame!

Any chance the RNZAF could get some F-35's down the road?

[2/1kiwi]

lol whats a F-35, probably not

[uTu]

they seem to be flourishing, I hear/read reports on the news every now and then of some x NZAF person doing well overseas - bloody good on them I say

[2/1kiwi]

There was a article in the press a few months ago told the story of ex RNZAF pilot now flying for the RAF cant remember much thou

[Zorro C9]

At least some of the Skyhawks should have been kept for Maritime training and enforcement of our EEZ.

They forgot the lesson of the Falklands.