The A4 is better than the Hawk for maritime attack for a number of reasons. Radar signature doesn't have anything to do woth it.
AI radar (also 2 sea-search modes), RWS, a long long time on task (3 hrs), representative weapon loads, high ground speed at low level, & crewed by kiwis!.
Basically its a fully fledged war plane (war bird?) albeit old, as opposed to a training jet.
As for transfers: 3 current A4 pilots are going direct to the F111. 2 remain in NZ on transport aircraft. The remainder are off to the RAF where we're supposed to be flying the GR7, F3, or Jaguar.
Some of us were keen to fly your F18s but couldn't satisfy citizenship requirements (it only takes 3 months!), so were offered a FIC then instructing on the PC9/CT4.
Hmmm... front line or Tamworth??
