R.I.P Skyhawks
Thread revival
I received some pictures (via my father) from an ex RAN Skyhawk pilot, Phil Thompson "Sinbad". He was flying the Vampire from Which the first photo was taken. It was taken during a mixed aircraft flyby at an airshow at Nowra in 1968.
An A-4 available for flight training in the US
Cockpit of an A-4K
Any update on the A-4s? Are they ever likely to be sold or is there a chance they could be de-militarised and auctioned (I wish
)?
An A-4 available for flight training in the US
Cockpit of an A-4K
Any update on the A-4s? Are they ever likely to be sold or is there a chance they could be de-militarised and auctioned (I wish
)?
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R.I.P Skyhawks
Ah don't get me started.
Rotors and 805 Squadron just don't mix - fixed wing for 805 or bust
If only these paper pushing polies can get their pencils out of their behinds and order 2 squadrons of F-35 STOVL's and rename the LHD's Melbourne and Sydney; bring back the RAN fixed wing I say.
But alas polies only have time for white papers and waisting 1Billion on vietnam era airframes, FOR HEAVENS SAKE THE LHD'S EVEN COME WITH A COMPLIMENTARY SKI JUMP - GET THE IDEA MR RUDD/DR NELSON/ MR FITZGIBBON?
they tried throwing sprites at 805 but true to form 805 spat them back out - only F-35 or better will do.
Bring back the RAN fixed wing I say and lets start with the F-35.
Rotors and 805 Squadron just don't mix - fixed wing for 805 or bust
If only these paper pushing polies can get their pencils out of their behinds and order 2 squadrons of F-35 STOVL's and rename the LHD's Melbourne and Sydney; bring back the RAN fixed wing I say.
But alas polies only have time for white papers and waisting 1Billion on vietnam era airframes, FOR HEAVENS SAKE THE LHD'S EVEN COME WITH A COMPLIMENTARY SKI JUMP - GET THE IDEA MR RUDD/DR NELSON/ MR FITZGIBBON?
they tried throwing sprites at 805 but true to form 805 spat them back out - only F-35 or better will do.
Bring back the RAN fixed wing I say and lets start with the F-35.
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Is there a ex-RNZAF A-4 forum somewhere or alumni? I'd like to get hold of a few of the guys I flew with in Saudi.
Cheers
Cheers
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Is there a ex-RNZAF A-4 forum somewhere or alumni? I'd like to get hold of a few of the guys I flew with in Saudi.
Cheers
Cheers
http://rnzaf.proboards43.com/index.cgi#general
Last edited by Trojan1981; 4th Jun 2008 at 03:41.
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So the RNZAF 'Shyhawk Saga' has progressed to nil ?
I can see another New Zealand epic movie coming ... 'Lord of the Wings' were some sheep farmers from an obscure aero club in the South Island 'rescue' the captive birds (presently disguised in white as big seagulls, in one scene they throw rocks at them and are confused as to why they wont fly) and set them free to a Nirvana where they can fly for another 40 yrs (hmmm 80yr old fighters) , those guys from 'Flight of the ConChords' would be appropriate , dressed in flight gear , bone domes and classic retard one liners . I think a telepathic lamb as a side kick would be a good addition and Murray the band manager (moved from his consular cultural attache job to NZ Intelligence) as their 'man on the inside'
My view
1. We are talking about a 40 yr old fighter , they've had their day , still approriate for some military / commercial (mil-com ?) companies
2. The RAF is disposing of their Jaguars soon and they will go for peanuts , yes also old but they have had a lot of money spent on them and would be good enough for 5 to 10 yrs and then JUNK them , its a weapons system not a classic ferrari
3. The lose of a fast jet skill base is a worry , it will take years and some expensive and fatal accidents to get back to where you were as the wheel gets re-invented
When Australia finally gets some new jets some of the F-18s will head down to NZ 5 yrs from now - thats my 'likely outcome' prediction
OR
The front line fighter aircraft will be a 'flock' of unarmed CT4s with banner towing capability (with witty hard hitting slogans on the banners)
I can see another New Zealand epic movie coming ... 'Lord of the Wings' were some sheep farmers from an obscure aero club in the South Island 'rescue' the captive birds (presently disguised in white as big seagulls, in one scene they throw rocks at them and are confused as to why they wont fly) and set them free to a Nirvana where they can fly for another 40 yrs (hmmm 80yr old fighters) , those guys from 'Flight of the ConChords' would be appropriate , dressed in flight gear , bone domes and classic retard one liners . I think a telepathic lamb as a side kick would be a good addition and Murray the band manager (moved from his consular cultural attache job to NZ Intelligence) as their 'man on the inside'
My view
1. We are talking about a 40 yr old fighter , they've had their day , still approriate for some military / commercial (mil-com ?) companies
2. The RAF is disposing of their Jaguars soon and they will go for peanuts , yes also old but they have had a lot of money spent on them and would be good enough for 5 to 10 yrs and then JUNK them , its a weapons system not a classic ferrari
3. The lose of a fast jet skill base is a worry , it will take years and some expensive and fatal accidents to get back to where you were as the wheel gets re-invented
When Australia finally gets some new jets some of the F-18s will head down to NZ 5 yrs from now - thats my 'likely outcome' prediction
OR
The front line fighter aircraft will be a 'flock' of unarmed CT4s with banner towing capability (with witty hard hitting slogans on the banners)
Last edited by aseanaero; 4th Jul 2008 at 03:28.
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this was the latest a week or two back :
US to help NZ sell mothballed combat planes
The United States has offered to assist New Zealand to sell its mothballed combat planes, according to Defence Minister Phil Goff.
Mr Goff was updating Parliament's foreign affairs, defence and trade select committee on Thursday on the progress of the sale of the Skyhawk and Aermacchi.
The Government has two separate bids for about $150 million, but the deal is awaiting clearance from the US administration.
Mr Goff says he discussed the issue with the American Deputy Secretary of Defence, Gordon England, on a visit to Washington last week.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is unlikely to end any of its overseas deployments in the near future.
Mr Goff says there is a shared commitment by the international community to be in Afghanistan for the long haul.
He says the situations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands are relatively calm and stable.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand
US to help NZ sell mothballed combat planes
The United States has offered to assist New Zealand to sell its mothballed combat planes, according to Defence Minister Phil Goff.
Mr Goff was updating Parliament's foreign affairs, defence and trade select committee on Thursday on the progress of the sale of the Skyhawk and Aermacchi.
The Government has two separate bids for about $150 million, but the deal is awaiting clearance from the US administration.
Mr Goff says he discussed the issue with the American Deputy Secretary of Defence, Gordon England, on a visit to Washington last week.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is unlikely to end any of its overseas deployments in the near future.
Mr Goff says there is a shared commitment by the international community to be in Afghanistan for the long haul.
He says the situations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands are relatively calm and stable.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand
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Quote:"When Australia finally gets some new jets some of the F-18s will head down to NZ 5 yrs from now - thats my 'likely outcome' prediction".
Total, utter, bolleaux!
Total, utter, bolleaux!
Kiwi PPRuNer
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when helen clark finds herself out on her arse in the coming months
then we shall hopefully see some action, what would it take for the usa to offer a squadren of spanking f/a-18f's to the new nz pm at a reduced rate,
then we shall hopefully see some action, what would it take for the usa to offer a squadren of spanking f/a-18f's to the new nz pm at a reduced rate,
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Not a hope in hell of the RNZAF ever getting back it's fast jet capability I think.......... It's not just about training, it's the support capability.
Personally I think if Uncle Helen was bit more friendly the RAF might give them some of the Tornado F3 fleet when they retire. But the reality is that NZ is more likely to be a target for ICBM than a land based conventional fixed wing threat or even a carrier based one at that.........
If I was NZ I would be buying an upgraded maritime patrol capability and anti shipping toolset - when the Chinese come and plunder the fisheries and anything else they want, NZ will be totally unable to respond or police it's own coastal waters let alone anything in the blue water sphere..........
Actually NZ needs to spend money on longer range SAR capability too.......
And Project Protector.......... don't even get me started
I think NZ has seriously been sold down the river by it's political masters and it's senior officers.....just like UK
Arc
Personally I think if Uncle Helen was bit more friendly the RAF might give them some of the Tornado F3 fleet when they retire. But the reality is that NZ is more likely to be a target for ICBM than a land based conventional fixed wing threat or even a carrier based one at that.........
If I was NZ I would be buying an upgraded maritime patrol capability and anti shipping toolset - when the Chinese come and plunder the fisheries and anything else they want, NZ will be totally unable to respond or police it's own coastal waters let alone anything in the blue water sphere..........
Actually NZ needs to spend money on longer range SAR capability too.......
And Project Protector.......... don't even get me started
I think NZ has seriously been sold down the river by it's political masters and it's senior officers.....just like UK
Arc
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Dons armchair Admirals hat.
Agreed, the ability for a small, isolated nation state that is surrounded by vast Ocean based resource had better have something up its sleeve to prevent the poachers from doing their thing.
The ideal world that Helen lives in is not a world that the resource hungry Chinese or 'other' inhabit.
Looks a lot like 'What to do when the Borg come a knocking?' get on your knees and pray? or just hope your neighbour has the assets and will to cover your arse.
I'm sure history is replete with this kind of story.
Agreed, the ability for a small, isolated nation state that is surrounded by vast Ocean based resource had better have something up its sleeve to prevent the poachers from doing their thing.
The ideal world that Helen lives in is not a world that the resource hungry Chinese or 'other' inhabit.
Looks a lot like 'What to do when the Borg come a knocking?' get on your knees and pray? or just hope your neighbour has the assets and will to cover your arse.
I'm sure history is replete with this kind of story.
Video
This video is hilariously appropriate
No offence intended kiwi chick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AIppqNePdM
No offence intended kiwi chickhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AIppqNePdM
