Ex-A4g 877 now NZ6218 was 'Dead Anted' in Townsville
Downloading the 4.4GB PDF or similar will reveal a host of stories about A4Gs in RAN FAA service and ex-A4Gs in RNZAF service. This is but one of dem... Pic to follow...
Quote from "The Phantom, Hornet & Skyhawk, in Australian Service" by Stewart Wilson, page 174
"In June 1985 NZ6118 (sic) [6218] (ex '877') flipped onto its back while landing in heavy rain at RAAF Townsville during a deployment to northern Australia.
Serious damage was sustained to the aircraft's tail, canopy, nose and other components and the aircraft was flown back to New Zealand in a C-130 Hercules. It remained in storage for nearly three years until April 1988 when the decision was made to repair it.
17,000 man hours and nearly two years later the Skyhawk was in the air again with a new tail section obtained from the US Navy, new wings and rebuilt aft fuselage, nose section and nosewheel. The Skyhawk was then upgraded under the Project Kahu programme."
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Wings Over New Zealand - Kahu Hot Weather Trials - RAAF Tindal August 1990
"Wallsy [FLT LT Ian Walls] was stuck, upside down. He couldnt get the headknocker down (up?), so was hanging under a live seat wondering what was going to happen next! The crash fire guys eventually extracated him through the hole in the canopy that you can see..."
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Last edited by SpazSinbad; 18th Aug 2012 at 20:45.